The Nation; 19 July 1997

Headlines
Laos supports Phnom Penh move

    VIENTIANE is prepared to accept Foreign Minister Ung 
Huot as Cambodia's First Prime Minister in place of ousted 
Prince Norodom Ranariddh and the new government of Cambodia, 
Laotian Foreign Minister Somsavath Leudsavad said yesterday.
    Somsavath said Vientiane's official recognition would be 
forwarded to Phnom Penh as soon as Cambodia's parliament 
endorses Ung Huot.
    "We have been receiving reports from Phnom Penh that the 
parliament will try to convene on July 19 [today], instead 
of July 28, to endorse the new prime minister," Somsavath 
said.
    Acting head of state Chea Sim would act on behalf of 
King Norodom Sihanouk, who is still in Beijing, and sign the 
ratification, he added.
    Somsavath said Vientiane still hoped Cambodia would join 
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on July 
23, at the same time as Laos and Burma.
    He urged Asean to rethink its July 10 decision to 
postpone Cambodia's admission.
    "If everything is settled in Cambodia this weekend, 
Cambodia could still join Asean together with Laos and 
Burma," he said.
    Ung Hout was on Wednesday nominated to replace Ranariddh 
by Funcinpec party members who remained in the capital after 
their leader fled the country on July 4.