Singapore, July 10: Undeterred by the fulminations of Phnom Penh's current strongman Hun Sen warning the Asean against "interfering in Cambodia's internal affairs," the regional grouping has decided to "indefinitely" defer the granting of membership to the strife-torn Southeast Asian country.The decision was taken on Wednesday at the emergency meeting of Asean foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur.

The entry of Myanmar and Laos would, however, go ahead on schedule at the forthcoming Asean summit in the Malaysian capital on July 24, officials announced. With the decision, the Asean has effectively turned the tables on Hun Sen, who had threatened a little earlier in the day that if the regional forum passed stricture on his regime, Cambodia would "decide not to join,".The consensus on Cambodia underlined "the seriousness of purpose and creditbility" of the regional grouping, pointed out Singapore's foreign minister S Jayakumar.

The Asean countries have considerable financial interests in Cambodia. Malaysia has about 30 projects worth over $1 billion. Singapore has invested over US$300 million and is the country's largest trading partner. Thai companies too have substantive investments in Cambodia.

Of course, the postponement of Cambodia's entry into the Asean on account of the incessant factional fighting within the country, does not mean a denial of eventual membership. As Malaysia's foreign minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pointed out that it was a question of timing.

"Let us not be confused between the question of timing and membership," he had said.

Hun Sen's warning to Asean not to intervene in Cambodia's domestic crisis was countered by Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas, who pointed out that the consensus decision "is not meant to interfere in the internal affairs of Cambodia because we in Asean uphold it (non-interference) strictly."

The Asean on Tuesday called for an immediate ceasefire in Cambodia and urged the country's feuding prime ministers to settle their differences peacefully."Asean calls for an immediate ceasefire," said a joint statement released by the Malaysain government, current chairman of the seven-nation grouping, after consultations among member-states.

"Asean further calls on the two co-prime ministers, the first prime minister, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, and the second prime minister, Hun Sen, to resolve their differences peacefully."

Although fighting around the country by forces owing allegiance to second prime minister Hun Sen and first PM Prince Norodom Ranariddh - which has left at least 16 dead and perceived to be extremely tense.

Prince Ranariddh has urged international rejection of a Phnom Penh government created by a coup d'etat and withdrawal of support for his country until a legitimate government returns to power.

The first prime minister said he was prepared for civil was if necessary and was confident he could overthrow rival second prime minister Hun Sen.Meanwhile, most Asean countries have evacuated their citizens in special flights from Phnom Penh. Members of the royal family too have sought refuge in neighbouring nations.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.