ID :
152918
Thu, 12/09/2010 - 17:37
Auther :

Thailand denies blocking Thaksin's entry to US

BANGKOK,Dec9(TNA)- Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied an accusation that it has tried to block ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from entering into the United States to testify over violent incidents and alleged human right violations in Thailand.
Chawanont Intarakomalasut, Secretary to Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, dismissed the accusation on Thursday after Thaksin's legal advisor and former Thai foreign minister Noppadon Pattama had said that the Thai government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had tried every mean to block Thaksin's visit to the United States by lobbying US authorities to reject his visa.
Thaksin was invited to testify at the hearing of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in Washington on December 16 on alleged human rights violations during Thailand’s political disruptions from March to mid-May this year which led to as many as 91 deaths and more than 1,900 injuries. He will also be invited to present information on the insurgency in Thailand’s three southern border provinces, and alleged violations of free speech due to the enforcement of the ongoing state of emergency.
Regarding the Thai government's attempts to track Thaksin down and to seek his extradition to Thailand, Chawanont said that the moves are normal, as the ex-Thai premier was convicted by the Thai court.
Chawanont also revealed that the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not send any representative, but will only provide additional documents, to CSCE during its testimony next week. (TNA)

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