Comments by MFA Spokesman on outcome of consultations held by Min. for F.A. Prof S Jayakumar with his Asean colleagues on issue of timing of Cambodia's admission into Asean

COMMENTS BY MFA SPOKESMAN ON THE OUTCOME OF CONSULTATIONS HELD BY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROF S JAYAKUMAR WITH HIS ASEAN COLLEAGUES ON THE ISSUE OF THE TIMING OF CAMBODIA'S ADMISSION INTO ASEAN

In response to press queries, the MFA Spokesman said that Foreign Minister Prof S Jayakumar had already written to his ASEAN colleagues at the end of last week to report the outcome of the consultations he held with other ASEAN Foreign Ministers in his capacity as Chairman of the ASEAN Standing Committee. Minister Jayakumar had also requested the ASEAN Foreign Ministers to convey the outcome to their respective Leaders.

"The issue is not about whether Cambodia should be admitted into ASEAN. That decision had already been taken by ASEAN and there is no change to ASEAN's position. The issue is only one of timing, i.e. whether Cambodia should be admitted at the Hanoi Summit."

Asked to elaborate on the consultations, the Spokesman said, "It is not appropriate to disclose the details of the consultations. However, divergent views have been expressed. Some ASEAN Foreign Ministers would like to see Cambodia admitted at the Hanoi Summit. Others feel that while ASEAN should welcome the recent developments in Cambodia as positive, ASEAN should not rush into admitting Cambodia when key aspects of the agreement reached among the parties in Cambodia have yet to be implemented."

"There is therefore no consensus on this issue. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers will continue their discussion in Hanoi. If there is still no consensus, the next step would be for the ASEAN Leaders to consider the different views of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers."

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
9 DECEMBER 1998