Cambodian Coup Leader Now Favors Mediation by Asian Group

An about-face by strongman Hun Sen on mediation in Cambodia’s troubles raised hopes Wednesday of a breakthrough in the crisis sparked by the ouster of the country’s royalist co-premier.

Last week, Second Prime Minister Hun Sen rejected a proposal for mediation by the Assn. of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. Hun Sen, who ousted First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh in a July 6 coup, said foreigners should stay out of Cambodia’s business.

He had earlier rejected a mediation offer by King Norodom Sihanouk, the prince’s father.

But Cambodian Foreign Minster Ung Huot said Hun Sen was now in favor of mediation by ASEAN. He spoke from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, where he attended an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting as an observer. “We have . . . decided that we want ASEAN to be a mediator,” Ung Huot told reporters.

The Foreign Ministry in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, also released a statement saying Hun Sen supports regional mediation efforts.

Cambodia was due to join ASEAN on Wednesday, but the group suspended admission plans indefinitely following the coup against Ranariddh. Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, and Laos joined ASEAN on Wednesday, and Cambodia will join eventually, the group said.