Thai-ASEAN News Network
The prime minister of Cambodia has announced that he will not discuss the border dispute issue with the Thai prime minister during the Asia-Europe Meeting in Brussels, Belgium.
In his speech given at a university graduation ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is not an object that can be easily transferred or a factor used to determine politics or diplomatic relationships.
Hun Sen also demanded the withdrawal of the Thai military from Cambodian territory.
The Cambodian premier added that even though Thaksin has resigned from his position as an adviser to the Cambodian government, they remain close friends to each other.
Hun Sen also claimed that the re-establishment of the diplomatic ties between Bangkok and Phnom Penh was only an illusion that the cross border relationship is improving.
He said that in reality, the Thai military is still occupying Cambodian land, and that the problem was not caused by Thaksin.
The Cambodia prime minister went on to say that he has been asking the international community to mediate a bilateral talk with the Thai government on the border dispute.
However, Hun Sen claimed that the talk will resume only once the Thai government has ratified the agreements drawn during the past negotiations, as well as withdrawing troops from Cambodian soil.
Hun Sen also claimed that during the Asia-Europe Meeting in Brussels, Belgium in October, he will only discuss trade, investment, and economic issues with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, not the border dispute.
The Cambodian prime minister has asked the Thai government to ratify the agreements in order to pave the way to the talk to solve the border problem between the two countries.
In his speech given at a university graduation ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is not an object that can be easily transferred or a factor used to determine politics or diplomatic relationships.
Hun Sen also demanded the withdrawal of the Thai military from Cambodian territory.
The Cambodian premier added that even though Thaksin has resigned from his position as an adviser to the Cambodian government, they remain close friends to each other.
Hun Sen also claimed that the re-establishment of the diplomatic ties between Bangkok and Phnom Penh was only an illusion that the cross border relationship is improving.
He said that in reality, the Thai military is still occupying Cambodian land, and that the problem was not caused by Thaksin.
The Cambodia prime minister went on to say that he has been asking the international community to mediate a bilateral talk with the Thai government on the border dispute.
However, Hun Sen claimed that the talk will resume only once the Thai government has ratified the agreements drawn during the past negotiations, as well as withdrawing troops from Cambodian soil.
Hun Sen also claimed that during the Asia-Europe Meeting in Brussels, Belgium in October, he will only discuss trade, investment, and economic issues with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, not the border dispute.
The Cambodian prime minister has asked the Thai government to ratify the agreements in order to pave the way to the talk to solve the border problem between the two countries.
8 comments:
Hun Sen is paid to commit errors and rectify them: that's street smart, even with 10 PhD, nothing could change you..
that is the right move. But Cambodia has to work harder to counter the Thai! Otherwise....
How Cambodia sees and equips itself for any eventuality is far more important than how other countries view it.
It would be foolish to enter into negotiations over something that is rightfully yours, and to which the other party happens to express a vested interest. Cambodia could only weaken its position and enfeeble its will if such bilateral talks are entertained, especially on a one-to-one encounter.
The Khmer PM may have reputation for ruthlessness and opportunism within a long narrow one party system, but on the wider international diplomatic stage his raw emotions, mood swings and lack of intellectual sophistication could count against him. Certainly, he should never be alone or unaccompanied by advisors in a negotiation room or along a neutral corridor where national interest is at stake - the two-way traffic engagement is not something his mind or temperament is known for.
That is something his Vietnamese 'advisors' and numerous hangers-on have grasped and capitalised upon since day one, and it is hardly surprising that the Thais are now looking to exploit this weakness.
If Thai militaries are on Khmer soil, it is the duty and responsibility of the Khmer government to demand an immediate withdrawal of foreign troops from the locations in question. If this demand is not heeded, call for international resolution. If this still fails to bear fruit ... the former soldier and commander should know what to do.
Complaining about foreign occupation of Khmer soil and waiting for the other side to come up with a compromise or further one-sided proposals would only complicate the matter making it more difficult to resolve whether through political or military means.
Sovereignty must be set aside from trade and economic issues - something the Thais will try to bring into the equation as smokescreens or baits.
School of Vice
There are no needs for talks with Thailand. It is like negotiating with an annoying neighbor who claims that the birdhouse you built in your backyard is his. And he wakes up every morning to stand next to the birdhouse with a gun just to intimidate you.
@7:43: I totally agree with you. There are lots of Cambodians with lots of good ideas. But our government does not open to the public. This issue is one of the most important nation interests but only a handful of people in the government who are involved. No ideas from outsiders are welcomed. Sad! they should be more open!
There is no law in the world that requires the victim to talk to the perpetrator! So stop being a victim!
Cambodia has been a victim of the Siem and the Viet naked aggression for too long! The day the Cambodian leaders stop being a victim only then Cambodian arch-enemies will respect Cambodia!
There are plentiful Vietnamese advisers or counselors surround him who are guiding him what to do,how to do,when to do it.Slave must obey his master.
7:43PM - Thanks for your insightful view. The problem is not with Hun Sen, but the two neighbour countries.
It is not that Khmer leaders want to sell the country to the neighbours (I can guarantee you that). It's just that we, Khmers, can not face the two enemies at the same times. Whenever, we were attacked by the East, the West takes advantage and vice versa. These two countries try to portray Khmer leaders as traitors, and unfortunately some Khmers believe it.
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