Cambodian envoy snubs summon over China row

Cambodian envoy snubs summon over China row

Written by  Tribune  Wednesday, 01 August 2012 00:00

As an indication of the Aquino administration’s eroded diplomatic clout in the region, the Cambodian Ambassador snubbed a summons from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to supposedly explain his published criticisms of the government’s position on its territorial disputes with China.

Cambodian Ambassador Hos Sereythonh wrote about the “inflexible and non-negotiable position” of the Philippines and Vietnam on the South China Sea row that resulted in the failure of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to issue a traditional joint communiqué at the end of its ministerial meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia two weeks ago. The non-issuance of the statement was unprecedented in the regional bloc’s 45-year history.

The DFA tried to save face with its spokesman Raul Hernandez, saying in a statement that Sereythonh did not show up because he was “indisposed.” Instead, Sereythonh sent his deputy and embassy second secretary Tan Chandaravuth on his behalf, Hernandez said.

Chandaravuth was handed a note verbale by Foreign Affairs Under-secretary Erlinda Basilio to express the government’s displeasure over the ambassador’s comments and demanded that he explain his comments published in a local newspaper. the meeting lasted about 30 minutes..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/2322-cambodian-envoy-snubs-summon-over-china-row