Thai Leaders Interferes in Cambodian internal Affairs: Official

Saturday, 28 November 2009 04:38 DAP-NEWS

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

A Cambodian Government official on Friday said that Thai leaders are trying to interfere in Cambodia’s internal affairs over the appointment of fugitive Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra on November 4.

But Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has stated that as long as former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is still Cambodia’s adviser, the dispute between Thailand and Phnom Penh will continue to exist, the Bangkok Post reported on Friday.

Kasit was responding to questions about the diplomatic row could be settled “Thaksin is the problem,’’ he said.

Kasit insisted that the Thai Foreign Ministry would not initiate talks with Cambodia, as former foreign minister Surahiart Sthirathai has suggested, or ask it to strip Thaksin of his advisory posts.

“What should be done has been done,” Mr Kasit said.

Cambodian MFA spokesman Koy Kuong said that Thai leaders are trying to interfere in Cambodia’s internal affairs.

“They have taken this issue to the two [countries’] cooperation ties,” Koy Kuong added.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said that he will seek peaceful means of resolving the lingering row between his country and Cambodia.

The row was worsened by the appoi- ntment of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as the Cambodia’s economic adviser.

Cambodia has rejected Thailand’s request to extradite Thaksin, deepening the rift between the two countries.

Billionaire Thaksin, who was ousted in a bloodless coup in 2006 and is living abroad to avoid a prison term for corruption, arrived in Cambodia earlier this month and received a warm welcome from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

“So, if the Cambodian authorities review their actions we will get back on track,” Vejjajiva told a news conference in Doha.

Cambodian Government officials on Thursday confirmed that Cambodia is ready to hold talks with Thailand to reduce tensions. Cambodia suggested bilateral discussions with ASEAN or the international community as a mediator.

“Cambodia welcomes at all levels to find solution whether in ASEAN or inter- national community if Thailand wishes,” Koy Kuong told DAP News Cambodia.