Hun Sen clings to Asean option

Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri (left) shakes hand with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on Feb 17, 2011. (AFP)

17/02/2011
Bangkok Post

Cambodia wants foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or the Asean chairman, to sit in on bilateral talks with Thailand, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Thursday.

Hun Sen said this during his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri and Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Polabutr, who called on him in Phnom Penh, news reports said.

Mr Trairong and Mr Alongkorn were in the Cambodian capital for the opening of the Thai trade fair.

They discussed trade and border issues with the Cambodian leader.

Hun Sen said he did not want the Thai-Cambodian border conflict to escalate and wanted both sides to jointly establish demarcation posts and comply with the United Nations Security Council's call for a permanent ceasefire agreement through bilateral talks.

The Cambodian prime minister proposed that each bilaterial talk be witnessed by representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or the Asean chairman.

He asked Mr Trairong to convey the message to Prime Minister Abhisit that he did not want the two countries to engage in a war of words.

Mr Trairong said the Thai government had been careful about what it said, but could not stop some groups from speaking their minds.

The two sides agreed to promote trade and investment cooperation and agreed that the problems between them had affected trade and tourism.

At a separate press conference, Hun Sen confirmed Cambodia would propose that foreign ministers of Asean, or the Asean chairman, witness the signing of a permanent ceasefire agreement with Thailand, expected to be reached in Jakarta on Feb 22.

He said it would be much better if the Asean chairman, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, could co-sign the agreement.

However, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said, it is still too soon to talk about signing a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia.

Mr Abhisit was responding to the Cambodian premier's proposal for both countries to sign a permanent ceasefire agreement witnessed by other members of the Asean, or the Asean chairman, when Asean foreign ministers meet next week.

"We were not the one that started the fight. It is still too soon to talk about signing any agreement," he said.

"Thailand said from the beginning that we were not first to open fire. We did what other countries would do. That is, when we are fired at or attacked first, we fire back. We have the right to protect our sovereignty."

Mr Abhisit reiterated that the two countries in conflict must hold talks, but said Asean can act as a facilitator.

Asean is not in the position to get involved in the matters to be talked over between the two countries, he said, adding that Hun Sen's proposal is still not clear.

The United Nations Security Council on Monday called for a permanent ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, and that they negotiate an end to their dispute.

Thai Patriots Network lawyer Nathaporn Toprayoon said families of both TPN coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon have decided not to appeal against the Cambodian court's decision to imprison the two activists, and now plan to seek a royal pardon from the Cambodian king.

Mr Veera and Ms Ratree were convicted and given sentences of eight and six years, respectively, by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for illegal entry and spying.

Mr Nathaporn said the families of the two had encountered many problems in trying to help them through legal means. Moreover, Mr Veera's and Ms Ratree's mothers were both in poor health.

Therefore, the families will instruct the Cambodian defence lawyers to inform the court that their clients will not file an appeal against the verdict and sentences.

The families, with consent from Mr Veera and Ms Ratree, will send a letter through the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh seeking a royal pardon, Mr Nathaporn said.

People's Alliance for Democracy spokesman Panthep Puapongpan said the decision not to appeal was understandable.

The government had failed in its efforts to help the two although Prime Minister Abhisit had promised to do so, and Mr Veera had been kept in isolation and put under pressure, Mr Panthep said.

Mr Veera and Ms Ratree were among the seven Thais, including Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 for illegal entry and trespassing on a military zone. Two of them, Mr Veera and Ms Ratree, were later additionally charged with spying.

Mr Panich and four other Thais were sentenced to nine months in jail. They were set free and returned to Thailand after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court suspended their remaining jail term.

The court later sentenced Mr Veera to eight years and Ms Ratree to six years imprisonment after finding them guilty of espionage.

Their lawyers initially planned to file an appeal and seek their release on bail.