Hun Sen names Thaksin adviser
Suthep plays down rift with Cambodia
- Published: 5/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
Cambodia has appointed ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen in a move that seems certain to escalate tensions with Thailand.
‘‘Allowing Thaksin to stay in Cambodia is virtuous behaviour ... good friends need to help each other in difficult circumstances." CAMBODIAN GOVERNMENT STATEMENT
"Thaksin has already been appointed by royal decree ... as personal adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the adviser to the Cambodian government in charge of economy," said a Cambodian government statement read on state television yesterday.
"Allowing Thaksin to stay in Cambodia is virtuous behaviour ... good friends need to help each other in difficult circumstances."
The statement went on to call charges against Thaksin "politically motivated", and vowed not to extradite him if he "decides to stay in Cambodia or travels in and out of Cambodia in order to fulfil his duties".
The appointment came almost two weeks after Hun Sen riled Thailand by offering safe haven to Thaksin, ousted in a 2006 coup and on the run from a corruption conviction by a Thai court. It also vowed not to extradite him if he stayed in Cambodia.
Hun Sen made the remarks initially to visiting Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh on Oct 21, and then two days later when he attended the Asean summit in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Hun Sen had to choose between ties with Thailand and his personal relations with Thaksin.
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn yesterday said the appointment of Thaksin by Phnom Penh would not affect relations between the two countries.
But Mr Panitan admitted bilateral ties could be more complicated because the Cambodian government knew Thaksin had been convicted of corruption.
Thailand would deal with Cambodia on a case-by-case basis, he said. Issues where there were no problems with the two countries' relations would proceed but any issue which could affect ties between the neighbours would be more difficult to deal with, he predicted.
"It’s a Cambodian matter ... But if Thaksin happens to be in Cambodia then we have to ask for his extradition." SUTHEP THAUGSUBAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said: "It's a Cambodian matter.
"We don't have to analyse anything, the appointment is a private relationship between Cambodia and Thaksin.
"It hasn't had any impact on us," Mr Suthep said.
"It's not a surprise. Cambodia has previously hired other foreigners as advisers and it did not cause us any problems. We don't have to worry too much," said Mr Suthep, who is in charge of national security.
"But if Thaksin happens to be in Cambodia, then we have to ask for his extradition."
Ties between Cambodia and Thailand have been difficult since June 2008 amid a continuing border conflict over land surrounding the Preah Vihear temple which has claimed several lives.
Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh said in Bangkok yesterday a house prepared by Hun Sen for Thaksin was now ready to receive him.
It was one of many houses which the Cambodian government keeps and Thaksin was welcome to stay in Cambodia any time he wants, the defence minister said.
The convicted former prime minister has not yet set foot on Cambodian soil.
Gen Tea Banh said Hun Sen had no intention of interfering in Thai political affairs when he made his comments on the sidelines of the Asean summit about welcoming Thaksin.
"He did not want to play any political game [with the Thai government] but only spoke his thoughts, which were driven by his very close relationship with Thaksin," he said.
He said Hun Sen had not yet issued a specific order on remarks he made earlier about a possible reduction in troops in the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple.
The minister said Cambodia would maintain the same number of soldiers in the area to ensure peace and order.
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- Writer: Nattaya Chetchotiros, Wassana Nanuam & AFP
