9th March, 2010
Prime Minister Hun Sen
Kingdom of Cambodia
It is with much sadness that I read of your Excellency's statements in the wake of a news article issued on 5th March based on my comments to the media. I deeply regret that the issue has caused much misunderstanding and discomfort, particularly when I was quoted lately out of context with regard to my comments.
Please be assured, Your Excellency, that I intend at all times to uphold and honour the highest standards of integrity and responsibilities at the Office of the Secretary-General of ASEAN with which the ASEAN leaders have entrusted me.
As I wrote my letter to H.E Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the question directed at me was of a general nature and my responses were with specific reference to the prevailing situations along the Cambodian-Thai border which I have expressed on many occasions before to ASEAN Foreign Ministers and to the ASEAN leaders. My concerns on the border situations have indeed been publicly expressed on numerous occasions and are very much a routine response to media enquiries as in this case. No other media, foreign and Thai, reported on my statements.
I had no intention nor I was referring to any particular military exercises in Cambodia which I had no knowledge of at that point in time. When both issues were brought together, it was naturally inappropriate and had a very unfortunate and unwarranted effect.
I look forward, Your Excellency, to meeting you at the 16th ASEAN Summit in April, to further clarify the situation, if necessary.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Thank you
(signed)
Surin Pitsuwan
Copy: Hor Namhong
Minister of Foreign affairs and International Cooperation
Kingdom of Cambodia
Prime Minister Hun Sen
Kingdom of Cambodia
It is with much sadness that I read of your Excellency's statements in the wake of a news article issued on 5th March based on my comments to the media. I deeply regret that the issue has caused much misunderstanding and discomfort, particularly when I was quoted lately out of context with regard to my comments.
Please be assured, Your Excellency, that I intend at all times to uphold and honour the highest standards of integrity and responsibilities at the Office of the Secretary-General of ASEAN with which the ASEAN leaders have entrusted me.
As I wrote my letter to H.E Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the question directed at me was of a general nature and my responses were with specific reference to the prevailing situations along the Cambodian-Thai border which I have expressed on many occasions before to ASEAN Foreign Ministers and to the ASEAN leaders. My concerns on the border situations have indeed been publicly expressed on numerous occasions and are very much a routine response to media enquiries as in this case. No other media, foreign and Thai, reported on my statements.
I had no intention nor I was referring to any particular military exercises in Cambodia which I had no knowledge of at that point in time. When both issues were brought together, it was naturally inappropriate and had a very unfortunate and unwarranted effect.
I look forward, Your Excellency, to meeting you at the 16th ASEAN Summit in April, to further clarify the situation, if necessary.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Thank you
(signed)
Surin Pitsuwan
Copy: Hor Namhong
Minister of Foreign affairs and International Cooperation
Kingdom of Cambodia
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