No truce talks, stop shooting first, says PM Abhisit
BANGKOK, April 27 - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday stood firm on his position that Cambodia must stop shooting at Thai troops first if it wants to return to dialogue and end the border conflict.
The premier made the remarks to the lower house of Parliament as he clarified the border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops which continued for six days, with scores of casualties on both sides.
Mr Abhisit reasserted to the Thai lawmakers that the clashes occurred because Cambodian soldiers opened fire at Thai troops and the army is obligated to retaliate to protect the country's sovereignty in accordance with international practice.
The premier said Thailand has no problem with the talks with its neighbour, but negotiations must be based on the sincerity of both parties.
Since the clashes erupted last Friday, there have been no talks between the two sides, until yesterday, but Cambodia has contacted us and said it wanted talk to take place between the defence ministers of both countries, Mr Abhisit said.
This is a good sign, but the fighting still continue, so we told them to stop the shooting first and repeated our stance to Phnom Penh that Thailand will never invade the neighbour but will not allow any invasion by other, according to Thai premier.
Mr Abhisit added it's not easy to negotiate during this difficult time but his government is ready to take responsibility for its decision on the matter.
While visiting the affected border province of Surin earlier in the day, Mr Abhisit said local residents will be allowed to return to their homes only when their safety is ensured and that all military personnel have the good spirit to work for the country.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday called for a truce between the troops of both countries, but Thai Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan put off the meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh, saying he has a planned official visit to China during this period! .
Thai army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd was quoted by Agence France Presse news agency that the meeting was called off following the report of Cambodian media saying that "Thailand had admitted defeat in the standoff".
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Wednesday invited US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Anne Kenney for a briefing on the border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops.
Foreign ministry official Arjaree Sriratanaban disclosed after the discussion that Mr Kasit has reasserted Thailand's stance on the border clashes to the American diplomat saying that the kingdom had not begun the fight as there was no sufficient ground to do so.
Ms Arjaree said the foreign minister also urged the United States to convince Cambodia to return to dialogue and that Thailand agreed with Washington's latest statement calling for restraint from both countries and for talks to end the conflict.
The US envoy expressed her understanding of the incident and said she will inform the US Department of State accordingly, Ms Arjaree said, adding the Washington has also asked Thai diplomats there to clarify the latest border clashes.
Ms Arjaree said the Thai foreign minister invited Indonesian ambassador to Bangkok to hear the facts on the border situation Wednesday evening, as well as New Zealand, Australian and Canadian diplomats. (MCOT online news)
The premier made the remarks to the lower house of Parliament as he clarified the border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops which continued for six days, with scores of casualties on both sides.
Mr Abhisit reasserted to the Thai lawmakers that the clashes occurred because Cambodian soldiers opened fire at Thai troops and the army is obligated to retaliate to protect the country's sovereignty in accordance with international practice.
The premier said Thailand has no problem with the talks with its neighbour, but negotiations must be based on the sincerity of both parties.
Since the clashes erupted last Friday, there have been no talks between the two sides, until yesterday, but Cambodia has contacted us and said it wanted talk to take place between the defence ministers of both countries, Mr Abhisit said.
This is a good sign, but the fighting still continue, so we told them to stop the shooting first and repeated our stance to Phnom Penh that Thailand will never invade the neighbour but will not allow any invasion by other, according to Thai premier.
Mr Abhisit added it's not easy to negotiate during this difficult time but his government is ready to take responsibility for its decision on the matter.
While visiting the affected border province of Surin earlier in the day, Mr Abhisit said local residents will be allowed to return to their homes only when their safety is ensured and that all military personnel have the good spirit to work for the country.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday called for a truce between the troops of both countries, but Thai Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan put off the meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh, saying he has a planned official visit to China during this period! .
Thai army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd was quoted by Agence France Presse news agency that the meeting was called off following the report of Cambodian media saying that "Thailand had admitted defeat in the standoff".
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Wednesday invited US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Anne Kenney for a briefing on the border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops.
Foreign ministry official Arjaree Sriratanaban disclosed after the discussion that Mr Kasit has reasserted Thailand's stance on the border clashes to the American diplomat saying that the kingdom had not begun the fight as there was no sufficient ground to do so.
Ms Arjaree said the foreign minister also urged the United States to convince Cambodia to return to dialogue and that Thailand agreed with Washington's latest statement calling for restraint from both countries and for talks to end the conflict.
The US envoy expressed her understanding of the incident and said she will inform the US Department of State accordingly, Ms Arjaree said, adding the Washington has also asked Thai diplomats there to clarify the latest border clashes.
Ms Arjaree said the Thai foreign minister invited Indonesian ambassador to Bangkok to hear the facts on the border situation Wednesday evening, as well as New Zealand, Australian and Canadian diplomats. (MCOT online news)
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