Sunday, 20 December 2009

Thailand Says Relations Same if Cambodia Ignores Conditions


Saturday, 19 December 2009 06:14 DAP-NEWS

(CAAI News Media)

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday said that relations with Cambodia will not improve soon because Thailand is not yet ready to change its stance.

“If the conditions are not changed, relations would remain the same for a period of time,” he was quoted as saying by the Nation.

Thailand has set as a prerequisite Cambodia removing fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from his position of adviser to the Cambodian government and extraditing him to Bangkok if the country wants ties to be normalized. Thaksin’s appointment is seen by the Thai ruling party as interference in domestic affairs and an insult to the Thai justice system.

However, Cambodia gave short shrift to the Thai remarks.

Khieu Kahnarith, government spokesman and Information Minister, confirmed that Cambodia will not remove Thaksin from his position as Hun Sen´s and the government’s advisor on economic matters.

The premier has stated that Thaksin can enter Cambodia at any time he wishes.

Since his assignment as advisor on November 4, Thakisin has Visited Cambodia twice on November 10 and on December 13.

The yellow shirts linked to the ruling Thai party have demanded Cambodia’s 11th century Preah Vihear temple be given to Thailand, he added. “We have never interfered Thai internal affairs,” the premier said, highlighting that former Thai PM Chuan Lee Pai tried to bar Cambodia’s membership of ASEAN. Lee said at that time that Cambodia had no senate.

“The main matter between Thailand and Cambodia is Thailand troops invaded Cambodia soil and occupied areas at Cambodia Buddhist pagoda near 11th century Preah Vihear temple,” Hun Sen continued, stressing his friendship for former Thai PM Thaksin, now a Cambodian government economic advisor. “He is my friend,” the premier said.

Cambodia has terminated all projects provided by the Thai government but a Thai General who sent by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn confirmed that all projects of a high school in Kompong Thom province belong to the Princess, not the Thai government.

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