Published: 7/12/2009
(Posted by CAAI News Media)
The Cambodian government has said it will not accept any more financial assistance from Thailand unless Bangkok restores diplomatic relations to ambassadorial level.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen had said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva should send the Thai ambassador, Prasas Prasavinitchai, back to Phnom Penh, or else Cambodia will not accept Thai financial aid.
Mr Prasas was recalled from Phnom Penh last month, and Cambodia retaliated by withdrawing its own senior envoy.
Mr Chavanond said two issues were still awaiting a solution - the appointment of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as adviser to the Cambodian government and to Mr Hun Sen, and Cambodia's interference in Thailand's internal affairs.
Diplomatic ties and inter-government loans were separate issues, he said.
"The Thai government is doing things straightforwardly and reasonably. Therefore, it has nothing to worry about," Mr Chavanond said.
"The Thai government is willing to talk with Cambodia because it wants to restore good relations and has the best interests of people from both countries at heart."
As for accused Thai spy Sivarak Chutipong, Puea Thai MP for Kanchanaburi province Ma Phongam said the jailed engineer could reveal information that will destabilise the government when he eventually returns to Thailand from Cambodia.
Mr Sivarak, 31, an employee of Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), was arrested on Nov 12 on charges of stealing sensitive state information, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's flight plan when he visited Phnom Pehn, and passing it to a Thai diplomat.
The Cambodian court will give its verdict on the case on Tuesday. Mr Sivarak, who is detained in Prey Sar prison, could receive up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
"The case is over if the court finds Mr Sivarak innocent. But if he is guilty, a royal pardon will be sought and it would be up to the Cambodian king," Mr Ma said.
The opposition MP said former prime minister and party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh wanted to help out because he had close ties with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen. He pointed out that the Cambodian government had denounced Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
"This case does not need Thaksin's help. Gen Chavalit can handle this," he said.
He repeated claims the party was not indulging in political one-upmanship by helping Mr Sivarak, but was intent on helping a Thai in trouble.
"Let's wait until Mr Sivarak returns. The things he'll say will, I believe, affect the government's stability because he is the victim," Mr Ma said.
Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said his party had given Mrs Simarak Na Nakhon Phanom, the mother of Mr Sivarak, letters from former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Thaksin's lawyer Noppadon Pattama asking Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to take Thai-Cambodian ties into consideration
Mrs Simarak flew to Phnom Penh in the morning, admitting before she left she was having trouble sleeping because of worries about the court verdict.
"Today, I'm taking a picture of His Majesty the King with me and I'll ask the [Cambodian government] to allow me to meet my son again," Simarak said with tears in her eyes. "I have not prepared anything yet, as I'll have to wait for the court's verdict."
The worried mum said she would meet with all sides if her son was found guilty. Her son's new Cambodian defence lawyer Khieu Sambou would decide whether to seek a royal pardon.
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