Abhisit asked to tone down Hun Sen attack

Abhisit asked to tone down Hun Sen attack

War of words will harm relations, premier says

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's verbal jousting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen could put bilateral relations at risk, says Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

While Mr Abhisit was welcome to debate with Hun Sen whether her elder brother and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra had benefited from secret oil and gas deals with Cambodia, he should not let the exchange harm relations between the countries, she said.

Mr Abhisit on Wednesday reacted to Hun Sen's remarks that he was always accusing Thaksin of benefiting from oil and gas deals in the disputed marine territory between Thailand and Cambodia.

The Cambodian prime minister said Mr Abhisit has done nothing to back up his claims.

His comments were published in the Phnom Penh Post on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul also waded into the debate, calling on Mr Abhisit to disclose evidence to prove Thaksin and the Yingluck government had benefited from the deals.

The war of words yesterday prompted Ms Yingluck to come out and demand Mr Abhisit stop responding to Hun Sen.

The prime minister said she did not want such arguments to continue because they concerned sensitive international relations.

Ms Yingluck said her government would do its best to protect the country's sovereignty when it argues its case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the Preah Vihear temple.

Cambodia has asked the ICJ to interpret whether its 1962 ruling which awarded the temple to Cambodia included a 4.6 square kilometre disputed area.

She said Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana, a legal expert, was supervising Thailand's defence in the legal dispute.

She insisted her good relations with Hun Sen would not convince her government to reach a compromise at the expense of the national interest.

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat said the government would do its best on the Preah Vihear issue and the military has plans for a response no matter how the ICJ rules.

He said he enjoys good relations with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Banh. They agreed that both countries had to coexist harmoniously.

Ms Yingluck will meet senior government authorities at Government House today to talk about the government's preparations for its case at the ICJ.

Defence spokesman Col Thanathip Sawangsaeng quoted 2nd Army commander Jirasak Chomprasop as saying both countries would start landmine clearance in the demilitarised zone next month, in line with an ICJ order.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (5)