Last week, in a major policy reversal, Asean was driven to issue an uncharacteristic statement - it demanded the return of the democratically elected government in Cambodia. At a press conference after a gruelling five-hour emergency meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Asean wants to see Cambodia's democratic institutions upheld. Such a new-found adoration for democracy among Asean leaders is laudable. But, of course, it reeks of double-standards.
Asean leaders have only themselves to blame for the renewed crisis in Cambodia.
Just last month they showed no aversion whatsoever to dealing with whoever is in power by embracing Burma into Asean's fold even though the ruling junta is an illegitimate regime. Such a signal from Asean must have embolden Hun Sen as he plotted to oust Ranariddh. Hun Sen has shown, time and again, that he is a shrew politician. By launching the coup, he has forced Asean's hand. Hun Sen asked yesterday. ''I would like to know.