East Timor president blames government for failed ASEAN bid

ABC Radio Australia - East Timor's president has criticised the government of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao for the country's failure to gain membership to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

President Jose Ramos-Horta says the government failed to properly prepare itself for negotiations to join ASEAN, despite his repeated warnings.

Mr Ramos-Horta says the government set up an inter-ministerial commission three years ago but not once did it hold a meeting on the ascension coordination process.

Former prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, says the failure was due to the government's lack of initiative to influence all ASEAN member states and guarantee the success of the candidacy. 

Singapore rejected East Timor's candidature but Mr Ramos-Horta believes other member countries of ASEAN did not agree with Singapore's decision.