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ASEAN Newbies' Threat



ASEAN Newbies' Threat
Asiaweek Jan 22
ASEAN's founding members were stunned by Vietnam's behavior at the group's
December summit in Hanoi. Despite clear objections from Singapore, Thailand
and the Philippines, Vietnam assured Cambodia that it would be admitted to
the organization at the meeting. Hun Sen was invited - and showed up, ready
to take his seat at the leaders' table. Even when it became clear that those
opposed would not budge, the Vietnamese blithely insisted on Cambodia's
entry. As one insider noted: "We realized that when Vietnam gets a notion
fixed in its head, it simply will not give way." Cambodia was not admitted,
of course, but Vietnamese newspapers reported it as an accomplished fact.
What worries veteran ASEAN members is that when Phnom Penh does eventually
come in - most likely this year - Vietnam will be at the head of a
four-member bloc comprising Laos, Cambodia, and a meekly sympathetic
Myanmar. As such, the Hanoi leadership may be emboldened to continue
employing such strong-arm tactics, which are sure to cause even more
dissension within the already fractious group.

Asiaweek January 22