Prawit open to talks after China trip
Bangkok Post
Published: 27/04/2011
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon would be open to having talks with his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh after he returns from a visit to China, his secretary Noppadol Inthapanya said on Wednesday.
Gen Noppadol said Gen Prawit left for China on Wednesday morning for a visit at the invitation of the Chinese defence minister issued during his visit to Thailand several months ago.
The China trip had long been planned and could not be postponed, he said.
"In fact, Gen Prawit did not have an appointment to meet Gen Tea Banh on Wednesday, May 27, when he was scheduled to leave for China.
"However, Gen Prawit said that on his return from China on Saturday he would seek a meeting with Gen Tea Banh provided that the situation has returned to normal," Gen Noppadol said.
If there is a serious problem in Thailand during his China visit Gen Prawit would immediately fly home. "He will closely monitor the situation," he added.
Gen Noppadol said that by holdiong talks with Gen Tea Banh Gen Prawit would not be admitting defeat, because neither side in the border conflict has been declared a winner or loser, and the military forces of the two countries are still holdking their positions.
The defence minister was firm about solving the problem through bilateral mechanisms and a General Border Committee meeting should be attended only by the two countries, he said.
"However, after the House is dissolved and the government becomes a caretaker Gen Prawit may not attend the GBC himself but may assign Gen Kittipong Ketkowit, the defence permanent secretary, to go instead," Gen Noppadol said.
Gen Prawit on Wednesday morning left for China amid reports that Thailand had pulled out of planned ceasefire talks with Cambodian.
Hopes of a truce had grown after the two countries announced a day earlier that their defence ministers would meet for discussions aimed at ending the ongoing clashes on their disputed border.
Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Wednesday morning that Gen Prawit would not travel to Cambodia for talks with his counterpart Tea Banh after all.
"We decided last night to cancel Gen Prawit's trip to Phnom Penh today after some Cambodia media reported Thailand agreed to ceasefire talks after it admitted defeat and losses," Col Sansern said.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon would be open to having talks with his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh after he returns from a visit to China, his secretary Noppadol Inthapanya said on Wednesday.
Gen Noppadol said Gen Prawit left for China on Wednesday morning for a visit at the invitation of the Chinese defence minister issued during his visit to Thailand several months ago.
The China trip had long been planned and could not be postponed, he said.
"In fact, Gen Prawit did not have an appointment to meet Gen Tea Banh on Wednesday, May 27, when he was scheduled to leave for China.
"However, Gen Prawit said that on his return from China on Saturday he would seek a meeting with Gen Tea Banh provided that the situation has returned to normal," Gen Noppadol said.
If there is a serious problem in Thailand during his China visit Gen Prawit would immediately fly home. "He will closely monitor the situation," he added.
Gen Noppadol said that by holdiong talks with Gen Tea Banh Gen Prawit would not be admitting defeat, because neither side in the border conflict has been declared a winner or loser, and the military forces of the two countries are still holdking their positions.
The defence minister was firm about solving the problem through bilateral mechanisms and a General Border Committee meeting should be attended only by the two countries, he said.
"However, after the House is dissolved and the government becomes a caretaker Gen Prawit may not attend the GBC himself but may assign Gen Kittipong Ketkowit, the defence permanent secretary, to go instead," Gen Noppadol said.
Gen Prawit on Wednesday morning left for China amid reports that Thailand had pulled out of planned ceasefire talks with Cambodian.
Hopes of a truce had grown after the two countries announced a day earlier that their defence ministers would meet for discussions aimed at ending the ongoing clashes on their disputed border.
Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Wednesday morning that Gen Prawit would not travel to Cambodia for talks with his counterpart Tea Banh after all.
"We decided last night to cancel Gen Prawit's trip to Phnom Penh today after some Cambodia media reported Thailand agreed to ceasefire talks after it admitted defeat and losses," Col Sansern said.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/234059/prawit-may-see-tea-banh-after-china-visit
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét