Written by DAP NEWS -- Saturday, 24 October 2009
(Posted by CAAI News Media)
Following warning from Thai leaders over the extradition of ex-Thai PM Thaksin if Cambodia allows him to visit, a Cambodian Government spokesman vowed that the fugitive leader would not be extradited to Thailand.
“Cambodia would like to make clear its position that Cambodia will not extradite Thaksin on any request made by the Thai Government if he decides to stay in the Kingdom of Cambodia,” said a Friday Government press statement.
The statement came just a day after the Thai Government threatened to request Cambodia to extradite Thaksin, who is still on the lam from two-year jail term in Thailand, if he should visit Cambodia.
Under Article 3 of Cambodia-Thailand Extradition Agreement singed on July 17, 1999, both parties may reject completely any extradition if: “[The] Requested party see that offense is an item of extradition made by the requesting party as political offense … [or that there is a] clear basis to assume that request extradition made by the requesting party has a goal using anti-criminal measures or practice penalty of an individual is filed complaint in terms of race, religion, nationality, or that individual’s political opinion.”
The Cambodian Government said that Thaksin’s case could be viewed as being politically motivated, noting that the Cambodian Government has the right to interpret the applicability of the exeception.
Prime Minster Hun Sen’s offer to allow Thaksin to stay in Cambodia is a “virtuous gesture” as Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thaksin are “old friends, who shall help each other in a difficult situation and this moral attitude does not necessarily mean that it is an interference in the internal affairs of Thailand,” the statement said.
Thaksin thanked Cambodia’s PM Hun Sen in his twitter feed for welcoming him to the country and having offering to build a home for him. “I have to express deepest thanks to Prime Minister Hun Sen for saying in public that I am his friend. I also would like to thank him for arranging me a house,” Thaksin said on twitter.
Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, lea- der-in-waiting of Thailand’s opposition Puea Thai Party, has already visi- ted Phnom Penh at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“The two parties will discuss bilaterally to promote and strengthen between Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) and Puea Thai Party leaders,” a high-ranking Cambodian Government official told DAP News Cambodia.
The Cambodian PM suggested the establishment of a working group. Cambodian Minister of Defense Tea Banh, also a deputy prime minister, will be assigned as a leader of the above working group. A high-ranking military official from the Puea Thai Party will be another leader of the group.
Some analysts asked if cooperation between the premier Hun Sen and Chavalit Yongchaiyuth could be a bid the add further pressure to the Thai Government led by Abhisit, which was elected by a coup back by factions of the Thai army.
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