ID :
177724
Mon, 04/25/2011 - 13:15
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/177724
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Suthep calls for negotiations to settle Thai-Cambodian border conflicts
BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban insisted Thailand wanted to negotiate with Cambodia to solve their border conflicts peacefully and he did not mind if the process would take time.
He said the Thai army chief and the 2nd Army commander supported his stance and that Thai soldiers were only defending the nation when Cambodia launched an invasion attempt. He confirmed that Thai soldiers would not make a backward step in national defense.
As the border situation now seems to depend on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen who has not received a phone call from his Thai counterpart, Suthep said Hun Sen might need some time and he would decide how he would like border situations to be settled. Suthep said through media and diplomatic channels that Thailand wanted a peaceful solution and it was Cambodia that would make the decision.
Asked for elaboration on the Thai prime minister’s order for the armed forces to be defensive, Suthep said the armed forces were determined to defend the nation and they would not invade Cambodia. He explained that the prime minister did not intervene in any military deployment but wanted all parties to prepare for possible situations and national defense. If Cambodia does not attack Thailand, Thailand will do nothing. If Cambodia takes violent actions, Thailand would respond likewise, Suthep said.
Regarding the continued opening of border passes with Cambodia, Suthep said Thailand wanted to protect the businesses of people in both countries. He also insisted that present border situations had nothing to do with politics in Thailand.
He expects more opportunities for negotiation with Cambodia when the Thai prime minister attends the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia early next month.
Asked if present border situations result from Thailand’s plan to discuss the Preah Vihear issue with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Suthep said Thailand always supervised areas adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple, peace remained there and Cambodia did not make any irregular movement or reinforcement near the ancient temple.
He also said that the world community would not believe in the allegation of Cambodia that Thailand was using poisonous gas. He said that the media clearly saw what Thailand was doing and that it did not violate the ASEAN charter. (TNA)
He said the Thai army chief and the 2nd Army commander supported his stance and that Thai soldiers were only defending the nation when Cambodia launched an invasion attempt. He confirmed that Thai soldiers would not make a backward step in national defense.
As the border situation now seems to depend on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen who has not received a phone call from his Thai counterpart, Suthep said Hun Sen might need some time and he would decide how he would like border situations to be settled. Suthep said through media and diplomatic channels that Thailand wanted a peaceful solution and it was Cambodia that would make the decision.
Asked for elaboration on the Thai prime minister’s order for the armed forces to be defensive, Suthep said the armed forces were determined to defend the nation and they would not invade Cambodia. He explained that the prime minister did not intervene in any military deployment but wanted all parties to prepare for possible situations and national defense. If Cambodia does not attack Thailand, Thailand will do nothing. If Cambodia takes violent actions, Thailand would respond likewise, Suthep said.
Regarding the continued opening of border passes with Cambodia, Suthep said Thailand wanted to protect the businesses of people in both countries. He also insisted that present border situations had nothing to do with politics in Thailand.
He expects more opportunities for negotiation with Cambodia when the Thai prime minister attends the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia early next month.
Asked if present border situations result from Thailand’s plan to discuss the Preah Vihear issue with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Suthep said Thailand always supervised areas adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple, peace remained there and Cambodia did not make any irregular movement or reinforcement near the ancient temple.
He also said that the world community would not believe in the allegation of Cambodia that Thailand was using poisonous gas. He said that the media clearly saw what Thailand was doing and that it did not violate the ASEAN charter. (TNA)
