CAMBODIA SUPPORTIVE OF STRONG ASEAN STATEMENT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L PHNOM PENH 000416 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, P, D, IO, T, ISN STATE FOR ISN/CPI - MARK FELIPE, EAP/MTS - MARY GARDNER COPPOLA, AND EAP/K - RICHARD JOHNSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2019 TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC MTCRE KN CB SUBJECT: CAMBODIA SUPPORTIVE OF STRONG ASEAN STATEMENT ON UNSCR 1874 REF: STATE 64133 Classified By: A/DCM SCOT COVERT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary of State for ASEAN Affairs Kao Kim Hourn told Pol/Ec Chief June 23 that Cambodia was supportive of a strong ASEAN statement on UNSCR 1874 and North Korea, and would lean toward supporting even stronger language than the ASEAN's joint press statement with the ROK at the ASEAN/Korea Commemorative Summit on June 2. ¶2. (C) Kao Kim Hourn noted the progression of ASEAN attitudes since the ASEM Foreign Ministers meeting in Hanoi and the ASEAN-EU meeting in Phnom Penh. He noted that Cambodia was very consistent in its position condemning North Korea for its recent nuclear test and missile launches. Despite having relations with North Korea, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) was very firm on this, he said, putting the position in the context of support for the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone. ¶3. (C) Noting that he expected the subject to be one of the more important topics raised at the ARF-related meetings in Phuket in July, Kao Kim Hourn said that the RGC was in favor of North Korea stopping nuclear testing (and bullying) and going back to the Six-Party Talks. He also said that Burma has caught the attention of Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, who has been more critical of the Burmese junta in recent months, calling for all charges against Aung San Suu Kyi to be dropped and for her immediate release. Kao Kim Hourn expected stronger sentiments against the Junta among most other ASEAN members. RODLEY