PM Orders to Review Agreements and MoU with Thailand

Tuesday, 01 December 2009 04:49 DAP-NEWS

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday ordered all state and provincial agencies to review all agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thailand including completed agreements and the process ones.

The Premier´s orders was made following Thai government, led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, annulled the loan projects provided by Thai government to build National Road 68 from a Thai provincial border to Siem Reap, length 117 km, which costs more than US$ 41 Million, signed on August 27, 2009.

After Thai government annuls the loan agreement, Cambodia’s Foreign Affair Ministry declared that Cambodia canceled this agreement as Cambodian government affords to build and repair this road.

“Since 1994 up to now, we have 23 agreements which some were completed as the rest is under progress and the last agreement was signed on August 27, 2009 costs 1400 million bath, and if we keep this amount of money, it is a bar in our neck and owe their thanks. Therefore, Cambodia will spend our own money to build this road,” the premier said during his presidency at a pagoda achievement opening in Kompong Cham province.

The premier ruled and warned his government officials not to sign any agreement or ask for money from Thai FM Abhisit and FM Kasit Piromya, warning that if Cambodian government officials do that, they will be fired. He added that only Thai donations are acceptable.

Meanwhile, the premier Hun Sen ruled to Education Minister not to send any Cambodian students to study in Thailand although Thailand has provided the scholarship. “I will pay all spending to these students to study in Cambodia,” he added.

Bangkok Leaders recently warned to seal the border between the two countries, and they decided to cancel overlapping area at the sea agreements. The premier said that “If you [Thailand] seal the border, Cambodia will follow and stop all Thai goods not to be present in all markets in Cambodia. Thai citizens must know that the one who destroy your businesses is Thai Prime Minister Abhisit,” the premier said, adding that “If you close the sea border, Cambodia will rule to close as well.”

Respond to Kasit´s saying that Cambodia was the first which caused the tension after Thaksin was appointed as the Premier Hun Sen´s advisor and the government´s advisor on economic work, Hun Sen responded that “The tension has been taken place since July 15, 2008 as Thai soldiers encroached illegally into Cambodian territory.”

“Kasit, you are the PAD leader. You are the one who has encroached Preah Vihear illegally and you cursed me very strong during a previous protest. You are a wicked man, if not believe, you can listen to your tape, then you will see,” the premier added.

The premier Hun Sen also confirmed that among 10 Thai prime ministers since he has worked with, Abhisit is the most difficult one to work with. “Thai political issues are created by Abhisit, and the diplomatic tension with Cambodia is also Abhisit.”

However, according to the premier, the situation at the border is normal between the two soldier parties as the two defense Ministers agreed on Friday last week during Joint Committee Meeting in Pattaya, Thailand.

The diplomatic tie between the two counties has been down since Cambodia appointed former Thai PM Thaksin as a Cambodian government economic advisor. Following the day, Bangkok leaders recalled its ambassador in Phnom Penh. Then, they decided to cancel MoU on marine over lapping area and annul loan agreement to Cambodia over building National road 68 from Krolanh to Osmach in Cambodia.