Hun Sen just stressing rules of law : Suthep

via CAAI

By The Nation

11-01-2011

Cambodia's PM Hun Sen did not mean to harm the bilateral ties when he called for all parties to respect its court's proceedings against seven Thai detainees which included a Democrat MP.

China's Xinhua news online quoted Hun Sen on Monday as saying that it was not possible for even the United Nations to intervene because the case is now under the full authority of the Cambodian court, which must be respected.

"What Hun Sen said was simply a statement of the principal of legal procedures; he did not intend to harm bilateral relations, Thai Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban said.

Seven Thais including Panich Vikitsetr, a Bangkok MP, were detaining in a Cambodian jail in Phnom Penh, pending trial against them on charge of illegal entry into Cambodia and entering a Khmer military post without permission.

Among the group was Veera Somkwamkit, a leader of Thai Patriots Network, who was earlier arrested on the same charge last year.

Suthep told reporters Tuesday that what everyone could do now was to wait for the court verdict. He advised all parties not to comment or criticise in ways which could negatively affect the case.

"Cambodian court procedures are not different from those of the Thai courts. We should not put pressure on the court,' he said.

He reiterated that the Thai authorities were using all means to help the detained Thais and the officials - political and military- were holding talks regularly at all levels.

Hun Sen said on Monday, "There are many comments these days. A publication said yesterday that Thaksin or the Puea Thai Party want to intervene in the case…. I just confirm that no one can intervene in the judicial system, neither the government, nor foreigners, or Cambodians."