By Soun Nimeth
Khmer Times-Apr 30

Soun Nimeth rebuts academic Carl Thayer’s recent article in The Diplomat and argues that there is an ignorance of the realistic function and mandate of ASEAN when it comes to dealing with issues related to the South China Sea.
Carl Thayer wrote an article in The Diplomat on April 26 titled “The South China Sea and ASEAN’s 32nd Summit Meeting.” The basis of his analysis was on the supposedly leaked documents that point towards to a possible Cambodian role in undermining ASEAN’s position on the South China Sea.
Firstly, claims of the leak are unsubstantiated. Mr Thayer clearly mentions that what he saw was a zero draft. If this is true, there is nothing strange for member states to make comments, revisions and queries on such a draft. Instead, it would be rather unconventional to believe that a zero draft of any statement, not only from ASEAN, can pass through without comments and revisions.
READ MORE AT: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50484693/dont-drag-cambodia-into-the-south-china-sea-conundrum/
First published in: Khmer Times