Sunday, February 6, 2011

PM calls for unity in border disputes


Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday called for unity while the country is engaging in border disputes with Cambodia, which saw two days of clashes.

During his live TV program on NBT, Abhisit was reacting to the resolution of the People's Alliance for Democracy to oust him from office.

Abhisit said he wondered why the PAD would intensify the protests to force him out of office when he shares the same stand with the PAD regarding to the border disputes.

Abhisit explained that his government was the first government that was opposed to Cambodia's unilateral registration of Preah Vihear Temple as a world heritage site.

He said he was also against the use of the 1:200,000 map cited by Cambodia to carry out border demarcations.

"PAD, this is the first government which is clearly opposed to the [1:200,000] map and registration of Preah Vihear as heritage site so I am surprised why you came out to demand the government's ouster," Abhisit said.

"My government shares the same stand with you so I wonder for what you are making your campaign."

The prime minister also urged the public to listen to information of all sides instead of listening only to the PAD leaders.

He said his government could not comply with the PAD's demand to withdraw Thailand from the Unesco World Heritage committee.

Abhisit said if Thailand pulled out from the committee, the committee would listen only to the Cambodia's side and Cambodia might be allowed by go in to manage the part of the land that belongs to Thailand.

"And I cannot tolerate that," Abhisit said.

Abhisit also noted that keeping the memorandum of understanding with Cambodia on border disputes would benefit Thailand more than annulling it as demanded by the PAD.

Abhisit said the MOU, which was signed in 2000, helped return calm to the disputed border area after two days of clashes.

Abhisit said without the MOU, troops of the two countries could have clashed everyday.

To criticisms that MOU could not have prevented the clashed on Friday and Saturday, Abhisit replied: "I'll say the calm has returned partly because of the MOU".

He also insisted that Thailand has not lost its territory to Cambodia as alleged by the PAD.

"I have no interests in exchange for giving away our land to foreigners," Abhisit said during his live TV program on NBT.

"Had I done it, it should not only be removed as the prime minister but I should also be expelled from the country," Abhisit said.


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