ASEAN SEC-GEN`S COMMENTS NOT ON CAMBODIAN MILITARY EXERCISE

KUALA LMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- The Asean secretary-general's recent
comments on developments in Cambodia pertained to the prevailing situation along
its border with Thailand.

Dr Surin Pitsuwan said it was not in reference to any particular military
exercise in Cambodia which he had no knowledge of, at that point in time on
March 5.

Bagas Hapsoro, Asean's Deputy Secretary-General (Community and Corporate
Affairs), said in a statement that it was unfortunate that the two different
issues were placed together in a Bernama article from Bangkok, "ASEAN Fears
Cambodia May Send Wrong Signal".

"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,” said Dr Surin.

He said his concerns on the border situation had been publicly expressed on
numerous occasions and were a routine response to media enquires.

-- BERNAMA