Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Thai PM: I'm working for national interest

BANGKOK, Dec 1 (TNA) - Following the latest verbal attack by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the premier on Tuesday reaffirmed that his government is working for the Thai national interest, while asserting that his government has not revoked aid projects with Cambodia.

Mr Hun Sen was quoted by foreign media as saying that Cambodia will "have no happiness" as long as Mr Abhisit and Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya are still in power, and that "Abhisit is the PM who is hardest to work with."

Hun Sen said he informed Abhisit that Cambodia was cancelling an agreement under which Bangkok would make a 1.4-billion-baht (41.2-million-dollar) loan to upgrade a highway from the Thai border, and would review other Thai loans.

Acting Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanyakorn disclosed that Mr Hun Sen has asked the Thai government about the cancellation of the 1.4-billion-baht (US$41.2 million) loan to upgrade a highway from the Thai border and Prime Minister Abhisit already reaffirmed that his Cabinet has not revoked the joint project. An official letter regarding the issue will be sent to Cambodia Tuesday.

Mr Abhisit however said regarding Hun Sen's remark that he has no need to clarify the matter with his Cambodian counterpart as his working approaches concern the benefit of the Thai people, while maintaining amicable relationships with Cambodia and will avoid any adverse impact on Cambodia.

"Despite Thailand is being accused, I am still solving the problem based on national interest," Mr Abhisit said, "It is a pity that Phnom Penh has received incorrect information such as hearsay about border closures or aid projects cancellation which is totally groundless."

"The Cambodians should be informed that any cancellation of the aid projects is unilaterally made by their leader, not the Thai government," Mr Abhisit said.

When asked how the problem will end, as the Cambodian leader is still "playing politics" abroad, Mr Abhisit told reporters that Thailand will not play with Cambodia, but will take care of relations and trades to allow cooperation to proceed.

"If Mr Hun Sen refuses to receive any aid or cooperation from Thailand, the decision is made by him, no matter by whom he is being advised," the Thai prime minister said.

The diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia flared up after Phnom Penh appointed fugitive ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser and refused to extradite him as requested by the Thai government.

The ambassadors of the two countries were recalled, and a Thai engineer was detained in a Cambodian prison on charges of espionage after he was discovered releasing Mr Thaksin's flight schedule. (TNA)

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