Rift with Cambodia goes beyond Thaksin

Kanharith: Media links needed

Published: 20/10/2010
Bangkok Post

The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has improved since ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra resigned as economic adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the two governments returned their respective ambassadors. THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL talks to Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith, the first minister from the country to visit Thailand since ties have improved, to discuss how the countries' relations can move forward.

What is the main factor that has caused misunderstanding between the two countries?

It's not just a businessman. When you talk about the misunderstanding, we need to talk about the root of the problem. Many people perceive the problem to be the appointment of Thaksin as an economic adviser, but the real problem has to do with the border and Preah Vihear.

When we appointed Thaksin, we did not do it to tease the Thai government. Cambodia is very new to international trade and Thaksin is a businessman who understands how to conduct international business. That's why we appointed him as a government adviser. But now he has many engagements and he decided to resign. For Cambodia, the source of the problem is the border, not Thaksin.

Are you confident the improved relationship will now be sustained?

We need a long-term solution to border issues. But we should start with the personal relationships between the prime ministers, information ministers and the journalist associations. We can leave border demarcation to specialists in that job and we have a joint border commission. Do not rub salt into the wounds. Prime Minister Hun Sen agrees with this.

What is your policy governing Cambodian media reporting on neighbouring countries?

Many in the Cambodian media feel that the Thai people look down on Cambodia. Thailand just acts like a big brother. But when one Cambodian reporter came to Thailand on Saturday night, he wrote on my Facebook account that the Thai people were treating them like colleagues. They changed their opinions in one night. Media from the two countries should work together and promote understanding. I discussed with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday how trade volumes went down whenever we had wars of words or political tension.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) accused us of training red shirts. That's nonsense. You can't train people in one or two months - it takes closer to one or two years. There was no reason they needed to be trained in Cambodia either - they could have been trained anywhere.

Did Prime Minister Hun Sen provide any specific guidance for the Cambodian media regarding this issue?

No. He just said that we have to make people understand by checking the sources of information on the other side.

Last time, when the DSI held a press conference about the red shirts and the training camp claims, Prime Minister Hun Sen sent an SMS to Thai Prime Minister's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaibul saying that it was not true. This is personal contact and it might be more effective than other means. I suggested to Mr Ong-art that before talking to the press, we should clarify the news to avoid problems and we can remain in contact 24 hours a day. We are friends and we have joined the military group too. The two countries need a professional relationship.

What did you discuss with Prime Minister Abhisit?

I told him that Prime Minister Hun Sen hopes to see him again in Hanoi and hopes he overcomes the economic crisis. We will have more fruitful discussions in Hanoi and they will meet again during the ACMECS (Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy) summit set for Phnom Penh in November. They might talk about trade, military and media mechanisms.