Friday, 19 September 2008

Thai PM says talks to resume

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Thet Sambath
Friday, 19 September 2008

GOVERNMENT officials expressed renewed hope for a resolution of border disputes with Thailand following an announcement Thursday by the newly elected Thai prime minister that the two sides would resume negotiations.

"We welcome this good news, and it signals a potential end to the conflict," said Phay Siphan, spokesman for Cambodia's Council of Ministers. "It is good that Thailand is ready to talk."

Somchai Wongsawat, who was named Thai prime minister earlier this week, said he looked forward to more peaceful relations between the two countries.

"I'm ready to talk with Prime Minister Hun Sen," he told reporters at Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Somchai added he expected Thai and Cambodian delegates to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York next week.

"If the Thai government really intends to negotiate ... we will try our best to solve our problems," said Nuth Sa An, secretary of state at the Ministry of Interior. "But I am concerned because they are always under pressure by the opposition party," he said.

Koy Koung, undersecretary of state for Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said he was not aware of any arrangements for negotiations to continue.

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