Cambodia's prime minister Hun Sen says a proposed rice cartel in South East Asia will ensure global food security.

Thai prime minister Samak Sundaravej said last week that his country had agreed in principle to form a rice price-fixing cartel with Burma, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia as costs of the staple grain skyrocket.

Mr Hun Sen says the cartel will not try to manipulate markets, but will seek to ensure global food security.

The Asian Development Bank has opposed the plan and senior Philippine officials claim it will exacerbate hunger and poverty.

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