Thai Foreign Minister kicks off visit to Cambodia

BANGKOK, Jan 25 (TNA) – Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya began his first official visit to Cambodia on Sunday at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong.

During the two-day visit Sunday and Monday, Mr. Kasit will have an audience with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, pay courtesy calls on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, as well as leaders Chea Sim, President of the Senate and Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly, and have a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Hor Namhong, who is also deputy prime minister.

The main purpose of the Thai minister's visit is to introduce himself on the basis of customary practice and become acquainted with Cambodia's top leaders after assuming the office of minister of foreign affairs of Thailand.

Moreover, Mr. Kasit will also take this occasion to meet and discuss with his Cambodian counterpart to expedite cooperation at both bilateral and multi-lateral levels, which would be beneficial to both sides' efforts to strengthen their cordial relations and the promotion of mutual understanding between the two countries and peoples.

Thai foreign minister to seek bilateral talks on border: statement

Friday, 23 January 2009
Written by Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

PAST SUCCESS

A meeting between Hor Namhong and then-Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat in November last year saw a reduction in troop levels along both sides of the border. Since then, political instability in Thailand has hindered further negotiations.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will lead a state visit beginning Monday to spearhead renewed negotiations over border dispute.

THAI Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will lead an official delegation to Cambodia beginning Monday to promote bilateral border negotiations between the two nations' prime ministers, a press release from the Cambodian Foreign Ministry announced Thursday.

Kasit will meet King Norodom Sihamoni and leaders of the ruling Cambodian People's Party in advance of border discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, the press release stated.

The foreign ministers are expected to address ongoing border conflicts ahead of future discussions between Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva in Thailand during the forthcoming Asean Summit, which runs from February 27 to March 1.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Khuong told the Post Thursday that the Thai delegation's visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, as well as to address border concerns and other issues of mutual concern.

Hun Sen said Tuesday during an address in Oddor Meanchey province that he would not address border issues during the Asean Summit, but added that bilateral negotiations with the Thai premier were forthcoming.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy questioned whether discussions between the heads of state would produce any tangible results.

"Bilateral negotiations cannot resolve matters. Our country is smaller than neighbouring ones, so if we face a neighbour that is larger than us, it is impossible to solve the dispute," Sam Rainsy told the Post Thursday.

"Until the international community steps in to defend Cambodia, we must defend our territorial integrity," he added.

Heang Rithy, president of the Cambodian National Research Organisation, said bilateral negotiations could succeed only if Thailand initiates them and says the country has acted as an invader.

"If Cambodia asks to negotiate, this is not effective and will not end the conflict," he said.

"If Thailand confesses that it has made a mistake, then we can negotiate in accordance with international law and without the UN. But if Thailand continues to be obstinate, only the UN will be able to resolve the conflict," he said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Khuong said Cambodia will continue to pursue a bilateral solution to the conflict.

"What we have done before, we will continue to do. We will maintain our bilateral stance so that we can talk together. If this path does not work, we will seek a third-party solution," he said.

Thai FM to officially visit Cambodia next week

BANGKOK, Jan 23 (TNA) - Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will make an official visit to Cambodia next week for the first time since taking his post in December, a senior official said on Friday.

Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata, deputy director of the Department of East Asian Affairs, confirmed Mr. Kasit's visit to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, scheduled for Sunday and Monday (January 25-26) at the invitation of Hor Namhong, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

In addition, during the two-day trip, the Thai foreign minister is scheduled to make a courtesy visit to His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia.

He will also meet high-ranking Cambodian officials including Senate President Chea Sim, National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Prime Minister Hun Sen and meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

In addition to introducing himself, Mr. Kasit will reaffirm Thailand's readiness to host next month's Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) summit in Hua Hin to senior Cambodian officials.

He will also meet with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong regarding the Thailand-Cambodia border situation, in particular the disputed Preah Vihear area, in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations and to alleviate any problems by peaceful and sincere means.

Mr. Pisanu added that the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) is working on resolving the Preah Vihear dispute. The JBC will meet on the issue in early February in Bangkok.

Kasit Piromya to seek pardon to Thais convicted terrorists in Cambodia

Thai nationals Muhammad Yalaludin Mading (2nd R) and Abdul Azi Haji Chiming (R) are escorted by Cambodian police into the Supreme court in Phnom Penh on March 12, 2008. Cambodia's Supreme Court upheld life sentences for three Muslims convicted of plotting terror attacks against the British embassy and a United Nations agency in the capital Phnom Penh. (AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy)

Pardon sought for Thais convicted terrorists in Cambodia

January 24, 2009
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee The Nation

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will seek royal pardons for two religious teachers who were jailed for life in Cambodia on terrorist charges.

Muhammad Yalaluding and Abdul Azi Haji Chiming, both from Yala province, received life sentences in December 2003 on charges of helping the regional terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) plot a terrorist attack in Cambodia.

Kasit will meet the two teachers with their families during a visit to Phnom Penh tomorrow and Monday, said Foreign Ministry deputy directorgeneral for East Asian Affairs Pisanu Suvanajata.

The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh has already requested a pardon from Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, but it will take time, he said.

They were arrested in May 2003 with Egyptian Esam Mohammed Khidr Ali, who was acquitted of the same charge due to lack of evidence.

Cambodian law allows a pardon when prisoners have served more than onethird of their jail terms.

The five years they have served is long enough for this, Pisanu said. Thailand cannot request prisoner transfer since Bangkok has no agreement on this with Cambodia, he said.

The men were arrested after Singaporean JI operative Arifin bin Ali, who was arrested in Bangkok in May 2003, alleged that they were members of the terror group and had helped plan an attack.

The same allegation by Arifin led to the arrest of four Thai Muslims in Thailand, including wellknown physician Waemahadi Waedao. The four were later acquitted of plotting attacks on Bangkok embassies.

Cambodia To Press Visiting Thai Minister On Border Row

Thursday January 22nd, 2009

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AFP)--Cambodia will press Thailand's foreign minister for a solution to a border dispute during his first official visit to the kingdom next week, a Cambodian government spokesman said Thursday.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, King Norodom Sihamoni and other high-ranking government officials during his Jan. 25-26 visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's foreign ministry said.

A ministry spokesman said officials including Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will urge Kasit to help broker an agreement to defuse their sometimes violent territorial dispute as soon as possible.

Soldiers from Cambodia and Thailand clashed on Oct. 15 on disputed border land near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, leaving four soldiers dead.

"We expect him (Kasit) to be flexible and positive on the border," spokesman Koy Kuong said, adding that the Thai foreign minister had pledged a peaceful solution in a call to his Cambodian counterpart last month.

Thai foreign ministry officials weren't immediately available to confirm Kasit's trip.

Kasit was one of the most controversial appointments when new Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva named his cabinet on Dec. 20 because of his role in protests, which closed Bangkok's airports in November and December.

Kasit, a staunch nationalist, has criticized the previous government's handling of the crisis with Cambodia.

The Cambodian-Thai border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with land mines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.

The most recent tensions began in July when the Khmer temple was awarded United Nations World Heritage status, rekindling a long-running disagreement over the ownership of the surrounding land.

Preah Vihear: Hun Sen will not raise this issue during the ASEAN summit in Thailand

20 Jan 2009
By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from Khmer by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

"If the buffalo eats the rice paddy, I dare not chase it, Darling, if the buffalo walks away, I'll chase it for you to see..." - Cambodian ballad

"Barking dogs never bite"

During an official visit to Oddar Meanchey province, Hun Sen summarized Cambodia’s diplomatic conduct regarding the border disputes with Thailand.
During the inauguration of a new governor office in Oddar Meanchey province, Hun Sen recalled about the line of conduct by his government to peacefully resolve the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

“First of all, we want to prevent the resurgence of an armed conflict or confrontations. We will continue to lead bilateral negotiations. In case of shooting by the Thai army, I am reserving the right to complain to the UN Security Council. It is also important that the contested zones between us are not extended,” Hun Sen explained. He added further that he will not raise the border problem during the upcoming ASEAN summit to be held in Thailand.

The very diplomatic speech made by Hun Sen coincides with the upcoming visit of Kasit Piromya, the Thai minister of Foreign Affairs, to Cambodia.

Upcoming visit of Kasit Piromya in Cambodia

08 Jan 2009
By Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

Cambodian authorities will soon welcome Thailand Foreign Minister (FM). Kasit Piromya’s nomination is controversial even within his own ministry as he was an opponent to Cambodian ownership of Preah Vihear.

According to Koy Koung, the undersecretary of state and spokesman for the Cambodian Foreign Ministry, Kasit Piromya, the new Thai FM, would come to Phnom Penh as part of a routine visit. He would meet Hun Sen on 26 January, as well as Hor Namhong, his Cambodian counterpart for a normal audience. Also, according to Koy Koung, the border issue which caused the military and diplomatic crisis in the past few months will also be discussed by Cambodian diplomats, and a common meeting date would be set to discuss this issue.

A former Thai ambassador to the US and a close ally to the PAD, the nomination of Kasit Piromya was not only criticized by Thailand current opposition which is linked to Thaksin Shinawatra, but also by several members of the Abhisit’s administration. Some Thai ministers indicated that “his nomination could embarrass the new prime minister in his efforts to pull the country up.” Kasit Piromya used to criticize the former Thai Foreign Affairs minister for the latter’s support for the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site to the benefit of Cambodia.

Cambodia, Thailand to reopen talks on border dispute

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 6 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Cambodia and Thailand will reopen talks on their border dispute when Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya pays an official visit to Cambodia later this month, a senior Cambodian official said Tuesday.

Koy Kuong, an undersecretary of state and a spokesman for the Cambodian Foreign Ministry, told Kyodo News that Thailand has notified Cambodia that Kasit plans to visit Cambodia on Jan. 25-26.

Kasit is expected to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, who is also deputy prime minister.

While describing Kasit's visit as routine by a senior official of an ASEAN member state, Koy Kuong said the border dispute between the two countries is an important issue and the two foreign ministers "will resume discussions on the matter."

The meeting between Kasit and Hor Namhong would be the fourth round of talks at the foreign minister's level since the border conflict erupted in July last year.

The area around Preah Vihear Temple, which was inscribed as a World Heritage Site on July 7 last year, has since been the scene of a tense standoff between the Cambodian and Thai armed forces.

The Cambodian government insists Thai troops have deployed on Cambodian soil, while Thailand says its troops are only in the disputed zone.

The territorial dispute stems partly from the use of different border maps.

Border talks to continue

Dec 30, 2008
AFP

PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIAN Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said on Tuesday that his new Thai counterpart had telephoned him to say that he will visit soon for talks on a border dispute between the two countries.

Mr Hor Namhong said Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who was appointed earlier this month after a new government came to power, had called to convey his best wishes for the new year.

Troops from Cambodia and Thailand clashed on Oct 15 on disputed land near an 11th century Khmer temple, leaving four people dead.

'He (Kasit) said he has planned to visit Cambodia and he will continue negotiations to find a resolution peacefully and amicably with Cambodia on the border issue,' Mr Hor Namhong told reporters.

There was no immediate confirmation from Thailand's foreign ministry.

Thai and Cambodian officials agreed in principle in a meeting earlier this month to reduce troops at the disputed border and to form a border task force.

They also plan to meet again in January to resolve their border spat.

But former Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat has said that the country's parliament must first approve the agreements before any activity starts.

Mr Hor Namhong admitted that a raging political crisis in Thailand had slowed down the negotiations, but said Cambodia is still showing 'patience.'

Mr Kasit was one of the most controversial appointments by new Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, because of his role in protests which shuttered Bangkok's airports earlier this month and helped to bring down the previous government.

As a staunch nationalist Mr Kasit has also criticised the previous government's handling of the crisis with Cambodia.

The Cambodian-Thai border has never been fully demarcated, in part because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.

The most recent tensions began in July when the Khmer temple was awarded United Nations World Heritage status, rekindling a long-running disagreement over the ownership of the surrounding land.

Cambodian FM: Thai FM plans to visit Cambodia for border issues

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Newly appointed Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya plans to visit Cambodia to continue discussion on the border issues between the two countries, said the Cambodian foreign minister here on Tuesday.

"Yesterday, the Thai foreign minister called me to extend the best wishes for a happy New Year and said that he plans to visit Cambodia," Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told reporters at his office.

"He is willing to continue the discussion to seek resolution inpeaceful and friendly ways for the border issues," he said.

We all put aside the possibility of military conflict and will keep restraints over the border issues, he said.

"As you all have seen, the internal matters of Thailand have made the border resolution so slow," he added.

Cambodia will resume talks with Thailand over their disputed border in late January, as a tense military standoff at contested areas of the frontier enters its sixth month, English-language daily newspaper the Phnom Penh Post said on Monday.

Cambodia and Thailand have never finally demarcated their 805-km shared border, but a meeting between both foreign ministers in November yielded an agreement to scale down troop numbers along the border and begin demarcation and demining operations from mid-December.

It was the most concrete progress made yet to resolve tensions on the border, which escalated after Cambodia first accused Thai troops of entering its territory in July, shortly after Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.