ID :
13874
Sat, 07/26/2008 - 13:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/13874
The shortlink copeid
Need to settle Cambodia dispute; Ex-PM Chuan urges new FM soonest
BANGKOK, July 26 (TNA) - Chuan Leekpai, chief advisor of Thailand'sopposition Democrat Party, on Saturday urged the government to appoint a new foreign minister as soon as possible so that negotiations with Cambodia over a disputed area near an ancient temple could be settled amicably.
Mr. Chuan, former prime minister, said the foreign ministerial post should "not be left vacant for too long".
The most urgent task for the new foreign minister, the former prime minister advised, is to conduct negotiations with the Cambodian government on the disputed area now being contested by the two neighbouringcountries.
He said it was an urgent priority in order that the tensions be defusedand that violence, either intended or accidental, not occur.
Mr. Chuan's remarks were made as the two countries are scheduled to hold talks at the foreign ministerial level in Siem Reap on Monday regarding the contested area adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple. The meeting isaimed at reducing tensions at the border.
The foreign minister post has been left vacant since Noppadon Pattama resigned on July 14, days after the Constitution Court ruled that his signing of a joint document backing Cambodia's bid to list the long-disputed Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site without endorsement by the Thai parliament was in breach of the country's supremelaw.
On Friday, Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej affirmed that he will name a new foreign minister and send the new emissary off on his (or her) first assignment, to resolve the military standoff with Cambodia which is rooted in a long-standing territorial dispute which is deeply emotional in bothcountries.
"What might be raised first for the upcoming talks is the memorandum of understanding made by Thailand and Cambodia in 2000 on a plan to conduct a joint land demarcation. Settlement on the ongoing dispute could beachieved more quickly," Mr. Chuan said.
Regarding recent optimism Mr. Samak and several others that the general situation along the Thai-Cambodia could be improved after Sunday's general election to be held in Cambodia, Mr. Chuan said it is too soon to say thatthe election could change athings much.
Mr. Chuan said that Mr. Samak should more deeply understand the problem, and that the Thai foreign ministry and the military must join together in improving the situation, he added. (TNA)
Mr. Chuan, former prime minister, said the foreign ministerial post should "not be left vacant for too long".
The most urgent task for the new foreign minister, the former prime minister advised, is to conduct negotiations with the Cambodian government on the disputed area now being contested by the two neighbouringcountries.
He said it was an urgent priority in order that the tensions be defusedand that violence, either intended or accidental, not occur.
Mr. Chuan's remarks were made as the two countries are scheduled to hold talks at the foreign ministerial level in Siem Reap on Monday regarding the contested area adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple. The meeting isaimed at reducing tensions at the border.
The foreign minister post has been left vacant since Noppadon Pattama resigned on July 14, days after the Constitution Court ruled that his signing of a joint document backing Cambodia's bid to list the long-disputed Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site without endorsement by the Thai parliament was in breach of the country's supremelaw.
On Friday, Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej affirmed that he will name a new foreign minister and send the new emissary off on his (or her) first assignment, to resolve the military standoff with Cambodia which is rooted in a long-standing territorial dispute which is deeply emotional in bothcountries.
"What might be raised first for the upcoming talks is the memorandum of understanding made by Thailand and Cambodia in 2000 on a plan to conduct a joint land demarcation. Settlement on the ongoing dispute could beachieved more quickly," Mr. Chuan said.
Regarding recent optimism Mr. Samak and several others that the general situation along the Thai-Cambodia could be improved after Sunday's general election to be held in Cambodia, Mr. Chuan said it is too soon to say thatthe election could change athings much.
Mr. Chuan said that Mr. Samak should more deeply understand the problem, and that the Thai foreign ministry and the military must join together in improving the situation, he added. (TNA)
