Asean?s Surin Disavows Test-Launch Quote

Asean Secretary-General Surin Htsuwan issued a conciliatory statement yesterday to clarify remarks he made to the media last week that drew a stinging rebuke from Prime Minister Hun Sea.

Mr Surin was quoted by the Malaysian news agency Bemama on Friday as saying Asean was ?very concerned? by Cambodia?s test-firing of truck-mounted rockets last week in Kompong Chhnang province. Bernama also claimed the secretary-general said the test could signal to the outside world that Southeast Asia is unstable.

In a speech on Monday, Mr Hun Sen made international headlines when he lashed out at Mr Surin, accusing him of interfering in Cambodia?s internal affairs and calling him ?unsuitable? to head Asean.

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Sunday also wrote Dr Surin a letter of rebuttal in response to the reported comments.

But Mr Surin said yesterday that his remarks were taken out of context and that he never referred specifically to the Cambodian military exercise.

?The question directed at me was of a general nature and my responses were with specific reference to the prevailing situation along the Cambodian-Thai border which I have expressed on many occasions before to all Asean foreign ministers and to the Asean leaders,? Mr Surin said in a statement sent to the news media.

He went on to express his regret at the confusion caused by the misreporting of his comments, which he called a ?very unfortunate and unwarranted effect?

Sourced = The Cambodia Daily