ID :
19863
Wed, 09/17/2008 - 10:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/19863
The shortlink copeid
THAIS SAY ASEAN SUMMIT IS ON SCHEDULE
By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Thailand today gave its assurance to other Asean member countries that the Asean Summit would be held in the capital in December as scheduled, despite the ongoing political turmoil.
Government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat said the issue was discussed
at Tuedsay's weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by Acting Prime Minister Somchai
Wongsawat.
"This is an internal problem...not an Asean problem. The Cabinet is
confident that no matter who becomes the prime minister or who takes over the
government, the Asean meeting will be held as scheduled," he told reporters here
Tuesday.
The issue of Thailand's ability to hold onto its chairmanship of Asean and
hosting the Summit was raised by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who said the
Kingdom should hand over the chair to either Singapore or Vietnam due to the
turbulent internal political problems.
Thailand is facing leadership crisis after Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej
was disqualified by the Constitution Court for violating the Constitution by
hosting the "Tasting and Grumbling" and "All Set at 6am" cooking programmes
while still in office.
The country is also without a foreign minister after Tej Bunnag quit
after just 40 days in office.
On Monday, Sahat Bunditkul, a deputy prime minister and acting foreign
minister, stepped down citing health reasons.
Parliament is due to meet Wednesday to vote Samak's successor, and Somchai
is the front-runner.
Thailand has been in political turmoil since Aug 26 when thousands of
anti-government protesters under the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)
seized the Prime Minister's Office at the Government House, and continue to
remain there.
The country assumed the Asean chair in July, and would hold that
responsibility for one and a half years.
During the December summit, the country would also hold simultaneously, the
Asean Summit with Japan, China and South Korea, as well as the Fourth East Asia
Summit (EAS), which involves leaders from Australia, China, India, Japan, New
Zealand and Korea.
The summit this year will focus on issues such as food and energy security,
global financial situation and disaster relief cooperation and management.
-- BERNAMA
BANGKOK, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Thailand today gave its assurance to other Asean member countries that the Asean Summit would be held in the capital in December as scheduled, despite the ongoing political turmoil.
Government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat said the issue was discussed
at Tuedsay's weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by Acting Prime Minister Somchai
Wongsawat.
"This is an internal problem...not an Asean problem. The Cabinet is
confident that no matter who becomes the prime minister or who takes over the
government, the Asean meeting will be held as scheduled," he told reporters here
Tuesday.
The issue of Thailand's ability to hold onto its chairmanship of Asean and
hosting the Summit was raised by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who said the
Kingdom should hand over the chair to either Singapore or Vietnam due to the
turbulent internal political problems.
Thailand is facing leadership crisis after Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej
was disqualified by the Constitution Court for violating the Constitution by
hosting the "Tasting and Grumbling" and "All Set at 6am" cooking programmes
while still in office.
The country is also without a foreign minister after Tej Bunnag quit
after just 40 days in office.
On Monday, Sahat Bunditkul, a deputy prime minister and acting foreign
minister, stepped down citing health reasons.
Parliament is due to meet Wednesday to vote Samak's successor, and Somchai
is the front-runner.
Thailand has been in political turmoil since Aug 26 when thousands of
anti-government protesters under the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)
seized the Prime Minister's Office at the Government House, and continue to
remain there.
The country assumed the Asean chair in July, and would hold that
responsibility for one and a half years.
During the December summit, the country would also hold simultaneously, the
Asean Summit with Japan, China and South Korea, as well as the Fourth East Asia
Summit (EAS), which involves leaders from Australia, China, India, Japan, New
Zealand and Korea.
The summit this year will focus on issues such as food and energy security,
global financial situation and disaster relief cooperation and management.
-- BERNAMA
