Laos and Burma in ASEAN, Cambodia r

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Subject: Laos and Burma in ASEAN, Cambodia rejected


	LAOS AND BURMA IN ASEAN, CAMBODIA REJECTED.
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     Thursday 24 July, 1997 (7:17am AEST)

          The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has expanded to
          nine, with the admission of Burma and Laos, but Cambodia's
          attempt to be admitted was rejected. . 

          ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur also
          announced that the Hun Sen Government has dropped its
          previous opposition to an ASEAN role in the Cambodia
          crisis. 

          More from Graeme Dobell.

          The mediation effort will be led by the Foreign Ministers of
          Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Malaysia's
          Foreign Minister, Abdullah Badawi, said the initiative has
          the support of King Sihanouk, the deposed Prime Minister,
          Prince Ranariddh and the coup leader, Hun Sen. Mr
          Badawi said Cambodia had to re-instate the Coalition
          Government, although this did not mean the return of the
          previous Coalition leadership. He said Cambodia will take
          part in the ASEAN talks here as an observer. 

	(ABC News, 24 July 1997)

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