CAMBODIA APPLAUDS INCREASED U.S.-ASEAN COOPERATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PHNOM PENH 000715 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PASS TO EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL CB SUBJECT: CAMBODIA APPLAUDS INCREASED U.S.-ASEAN COOPERATION REF: A. STATE 94921 ¶B. PHNOM PENH 602 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a September 22 meeting with the Deputy Chief of Mission to discuss next steps on the U.S.-Lower Mekong Ministerial (Ref A),Secretary of State for ASEAN Affairs Kao Kim Hourn expressed enthusiasm for the initiative and praised the United States' "reengagement" in Southeast Asia. He characterized the recent visit by Secretary Clinton to Phuket as a significant advancement which was greatly appreciated by ASEAN, and made suggestions for future engagement. Kao Kim Hourn cited the need for ASEAN to have good relations with all dialog partners, including the United States, without alienating others such as China. He then discussed ASEAN's frustration with Burma and expressed the desire that the new U.S. administration not allow the Burma issue to detract from other policy objectives in the region. END SUMMARY. EXCITEMENT OVER ENHANCED U.S.-ASEAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Kao Kim Hourn, who will be traveling with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Namhong to the UN General Assembly later this week, relayed the Minister's enthusiasm regarding the U.S.-Lower Mekong Ministerial. According to Kao Kim Hourn, the Minister is so excited about the initiative that he will highlight it in his speech to the UNGA on September ¶26. Kao Kim Hourn stated that the current U.S. administration's apparent shift in policy towards Southeast Asia is greatly appreciated by ASEAN, which is looking forward to expanding economic support and cooperation with all strategic partners such as Japan, South Korea, China and the U.S. He said that while the U.S. was "busy elsewhere" in previous years, China had successfully projected its role in the region as a benign power which offered peace and stability, without obvious strings attached. However, according to Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary Clinton's visit to Phuket and initiatives such as those discussed during the U.S.-Lower Mekong Ministerial, as well as the appointment of an Ambassador to ASEAN, have proved to the member states that "the United States is back" in Southeast Asia, which he sees as a win-win situation economically for all involved. BURMA REMAINS PROBLEMATIC -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Kao Kim Hourn expressed concern that, although the U.S.-ASEAN relationship is expanding, the U.S. policy towards Burma has been problematic for ASEAN in the past. He stated that the U.S.-ASEAN relationship should be based on overall strategic and economic opportunities and not be "held hostage to a single country." He added that ASEAN was not happy with Burma, a member state which often causes the others embarrassment. However, he stressed that the best tactic to establish democracy and improve human rights in Burma is through engagement rather than isolation. Echoing Prime Minister Hun Sen's similar remarks on Burma to visiting Senator Webb (Ref B),Kao Kim Hourn stated that Burma should release all political prisoners, especially Aung San Suu Kyi, and welcome international observers to validate the 2010 national elections. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE COOPERATION -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Kao Kim Hourn offered suggestions for several "non-traditional security" areas for future U.S. cooperation with ASEAN, and highlighted energy security as one of them. While some ASEAN countries, such as Cambodia, are looking into solar, wind and hydropower as alternative energy solutions, others, such as Burma, are considering nuclear energy proposals which could be problematic. Other areas for cooperation include piracy, small arms/light weapons, trafficking in persons (including fraudulent adoptions), cyber crimes, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, and peacekeeping as a catalyst for reform. COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Prior to accepting a job within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Kao Kim Hourn headed a highly-regarded political and economic think tank in Cambodia. He has been directly involved in ASEAN and specifically ASEAN-China relations for over 10 years, and was indispensable to Cambodia's entry into ASEAN in 1999. The interest and enthusiasm he exhibited for the Lower Mekong PHNOM PENH 00000715 002 OF 002 Ministerial and enhanced cooperation between the U.S. and ASEAN bodes well for current and future initiatives in the region, and we expect him to be a reliable and valuable partner as these initiatives are developed. END COMMENT. RODLEY