Suwit explains move over role in temple row

April 21, 2011
By PIYANART SRIVALO
THE NATION

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti yesterday denied that he changed his mind about withdrawing as the chief negotiator in the Preah Vihear Temple dispute with Cambodia because of a remark by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.

"The issue does not belong to the natural resources minister actually. I just volunteered to do the job in the first place, and this time is a second chance. I volunteered to do the job, but it's not my duty," he said.

Suthep reportedly had said that Suwit, as a Cabinet member, had been assigned that role and if he wanted to quit, he should also quit the Cabinet.


Suwit reiterated that the negotiations should be handled by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, as his own stance was clear against listing the temple as a World Heritage Site unless demarcation complications were sorted out.

He discounted speculation that he was worried about the risk to his political career if he stayed on as chief negotiator and wanted to concentrate on preparing for the coming general election.

"I volunteered to do the job as a Thai responsible for protecting the boundaries of his country," he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was not fully informed about conflicts within the negotiating team nor the real reasons behind Suwit's resignation.

"You need to ask him. I have checked and been aware of him saying nothing personal, and preferring to wait for today's meeting," he said.

All the differences Suwit had with other team members had been settled, and "everything now can go ahead", he said.

"I wasn't at the meeting [of Thailand's world heritage committee] on April 18, and don't know the details, but I have heard about differences among the members, which have already been cleared up by now," he said.

Thai and Cambodian negotiators would discuss major issues at a meeting next Monday, he said.

"And hopefully they could be settled, before the Unesco meeting in June," he said.

The team should remain intact until then and the process should go smoothly, he said.

"There shouldn't be any problem. I keep telling him to directly inform me of any problems he may have."