ID :
140089
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 13:19
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http://m.oananews.org//node/140089
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Deputy PM Suthep: FM Kasit visits Montenegro not to seek extradition fugitive ex-premier Thaksin
BANGKOK, Aug 31 - Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday denied reports that Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's visit to Montenegro is aimed at hunting for fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, saying the trip is to boost diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Mr Suthep said the Thai foreign minister, now on his official one-day visit in the Balkan country, also clarified the case of Mr Thaksin to the Montenegrin government as it may have received distorted information on the matter while Mr Thaksin was staying there.
The deputy prime minister asserted Thailand will not interfere the internal affairs of the Montenegrin government regarding the ex-Thai premier's case.
Mr Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 bloodless military coup and has lived abroad in self-imposed exile, after being sentenced to two years prison in absentia on conflict of interest charges relating to the purchase of a plot of land by his former wife at a far below market price while he was prime minister.
The deposed Thai premier was granted Montenegrin citizenship in March 2010 after promising to invest in the tourism industry there.
Montenegrin foreign minister Milan Rocen earlier told a news conference after meeting Mr Kasit that he has not received any legal requests from Thailand regarding Mr Thaksin's case.
Mr Rocen said the Montenegrin government has a policy to grant citizenship to foreign investors who invest and set up businesses in Montenegro, and that it has no intention to interfere in Thailand's domestic affairs.
The Montenegrin foreign minister added that Mr Thaksin's case will have no influence on establishing and strengthening the diplomatic ties between Thailand and Montenegro.
Mr Kasit said after the meeting that Thailand is now working on a number of significant cases, including that of the fugitive ex-premier with Interpol. He said that Mr Thaksin was told by Montenegrin officials not to abuse the privilege he obtained. (MCOT online news, agencies)
Mr Suthep said the Thai foreign minister, now on his official one-day visit in the Balkan country, also clarified the case of Mr Thaksin to the Montenegrin government as it may have received distorted information on the matter while Mr Thaksin was staying there.
The deputy prime minister asserted Thailand will not interfere the internal affairs of the Montenegrin government regarding the ex-Thai premier's case.
Mr Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 bloodless military coup and has lived abroad in self-imposed exile, after being sentenced to two years prison in absentia on conflict of interest charges relating to the purchase of a plot of land by his former wife at a far below market price while he was prime minister.
The deposed Thai premier was granted Montenegrin citizenship in March 2010 after promising to invest in the tourism industry there.
Montenegrin foreign minister Milan Rocen earlier told a news conference after meeting Mr Kasit that he has not received any legal requests from Thailand regarding Mr Thaksin's case.
Mr Rocen said the Montenegrin government has a policy to grant citizenship to foreign investors who invest and set up businesses in Montenegro, and that it has no intention to interfere in Thailand's domestic affairs.
The Montenegrin foreign minister added that Mr Thaksin's case will have no influence on establishing and strengthening the diplomatic ties between Thailand and Montenegro.
Mr Kasit said after the meeting that Thailand is now working on a number of significant cases, including that of the fugitive ex-premier with Interpol. He said that Mr Thaksin was told by Montenegrin officials not to abuse the privilege he obtained. (MCOT online news, agencies)
