Hun Sen shuns UN

via CAAI

Published: 10/01/2011

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said no one, including the United Nations, can intervene in the case of the seven Thai detainees, and insisted only the Cambodian court would decide their future, according to a report published by the People's Daily news.

"There are many comments these days, and also a publication said yesterday that Thaksin [Shinawatra] or Puea Thai Party want to intervene into the case of the seven arrested Thais, I just confirm that no one can intervene into judicial system, neither the government, nor foreigners, or Cambodians," Mr Hun Sen said during a graduation ceremony at the Vanda Institute in Phnom Penh on Monday.

"I tell them that it is impossible, no matter which path you enter from, even from the United Nations because the case is now under the full authority of the Cambodian court, which must be respected."

Mr Hun Sen's comment prompted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call an urgent meeting with Deputy Prime Minister overseeing security Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Foreign Minsiter Kasit Piromya to expedite the release of the seven Thai border-crossers now being held at Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.

Mr Abhisit insisted the first priority of the government is to help the seven Thai detainees, including Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth.

Mr Hun Sen's insistence could dash the Thai Patriots Network's plan to ask the UN to help secure the release of the detainees.

Network leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong said the group disagreed with the Cambodian court’s authority because the case should be regarded as an international issue. He claimed Cambodia “abducts” Thai people from Thai soil and the problem could be solved only by mediating agencies like the UN.

He said the government wanted the case to be first tried in the court so that it could ask for a release of the seven detainees on bail or request the Cambodian monarch to grant them a royal pardon.

Foreign minister's secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said the ministry hoped the seven Thais would not face extra charges.

The ministry would weigh up the situation before reporting to Prime Minister Abhisit about whether he should to make a direct phone call to Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The secretary said all seven detainees were allowed meetings this morning with relatives who travelled to Phnom Penh last night.

The seven were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 while on an "inspection trip" near a disputed border area in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district adjacent to Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.

The Cambodian court charged them with illegal entry and illegal trespass on a military zone. The two charges carry a combined maximum penalty of 18 months in jail.

Meanwhile, Second Army chief Thawatchai Samutsakhon denied a report that Thai soldiers killed innocent Cambodians on Sunday, saying the troops were only protecting a wildlife refuge in Si Sa Ket which has been encroached upon by illegal loggers.

Lt-Gen Thawatchai said the soldiers retaliated after an unidentified group of trespassers ignored their warnings and fired shots at them.

The clash erupted when the soldiers spotted and challenged the strangers while patrolling Phanom Dongrak Wildlife Sanctuary in Khun Han district in Si Sa Ket, which borders Cambodia.

Lt-Gen Thawatchai was reacting to a report that Cambodian authorities intend to send a photo of Cambodians killed by Thai soldiers to the Thai government.

Thai soldiers returned to the scene of the clash in the forest this morning and found chainsaws and evidence of trees being cut. They did not see any injured or dead people, he said.

Immigration police at a border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo have arrested a woman reporter who is wanted on an arrest warrant for taking part in the yellow-shirts' occupation of two Bangkok airports in 2008.

Police said Tonfan Saeng-atit, 52, was apprehended late Sunday night as she went to cross the border to cover the prosecution of the seven detained Thais being held in Phnom Penh.

She was escorted to the Crime Suppression Division head office in Bangkok today.

Ms Tonfan denied involvement in any wrongdoing and was later released on 300,000 baht bail.

Ms Tonfan, a reporter for FM TV and 13 Siam Thai TV Online, is wanted under an arrest warrant. She is accused of taking part in the People’s Alliance for Democracy's seizure of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports in 2008. The protesters were demanding the resignation of then Somchai Wongsawat government, which was viewed as being a nominee of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The PAD has also played an active role in protesting against Cambodia’s claims of ownership of disputed areas along the border.