Asian Nations Seek 'Bold Measures'

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Subject: Asian Nations Seek 'Bold Measures' Amid Crisis

Asian Nations Seek 'Bold Measures' Amid Crisis
08:47 a.m. Dec 12, 1998 Eastern

By Andy Soloman

HANOI (Reuters) - Southeast Asian governments said Saturday they wanted
``bold measures'' to combat the region's deep economic crisis.

But Foreign and economic ministers from the Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) gave few details of their plans, which were still under
discussion. Nor did they resolve the question of whether to admit Cambodia
to the group.

Rodolfo Severino, ASEAN secretary-general, told reporters the ``bold
measures'' remained sensitive because a consensus had yet to be reached.

The still-vague measures, to be carried out from 1999-2000, had not been
referred to publicly until Saturday.

The key documents for the summit -- the Hanoi Plan of Action and the Hanoi
Declaration -- were adopted Saturday and aim to boost regional cooperation
and economic integration over a longer timeframe, from 1999-2004.

Foreign and economic ministers had been meeting in Hanoi ahead of a summit
of ASEAN leaders on December 15-16.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

``They should be effective in dealing with the financial crisis and with the
difficulties we're having for economic recovery,'' Severino said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said the measures would be applied
from 1999-2000.

Nguyen Manh Cam, a Vietnamese deputy premier and foreign minister, said the
measures would cover the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), the ASEAN Investment
Area (AIA) and the ASEAN Industrial Cooperation (AICO) scheme.

``There will be a separate document regarding these 'bold measures','' Cam
told a news conference after the day's meetings had concluded.

``No matter how bold these measures would be...(they) have to be in
conformity with the development level and capability of the different
members.''

Cam declined to give more details but said poorer nations would have
extended implementation deadlines. ASEAN economic ministers were expected to
adopt the plan Sunday, he added.

The issue of whether Cambodia should join ASEAN came up each time ministers
met reporters in the lobby of a luxury hotel where meetings were held and
Cam said ministers had discussed the issue again Saturday.

``The view of the majority is that it is time to admit Cambodia before the
summit takes place,'' he said, adding that with no consensus the matter had
been passed to ASEAN leaders.

After lengthy talks between ASEAN foreign ministers late Friday the only
clear outcome was that no agreement existed on whether Cambodia should join
during the summit.

Alatas made clear where the priorities should lie.

``The main task for ASEAN is to come out with a clear signal that despite
the difficulties some of us are in because of the financial and economic
crisis, we remain united and we remain committed to the goals we have set
for ourselves,'' he said.

Cambodia had been expected to enter ASEAN in mid-1997 along with Laos and
Myanmar, but its entry was delayed after Premier Hun Sen ousted then
co-premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh in a coup in July 1997.

Last month Hun Sen, who won a July election but not enough votes to govern
alone, agreed a new coalition with Ranariddh.