Sunday, 14 September 2008

Thaksin Shinawatra at the centre of Cambodian politics


Cambodge Soir

13-09-2008

The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and the government argue on alleged links with their Thai counterparts.

Sonn Chhay, an SRP MP, sent a letter to Sok An, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, asking for clarification and for documents regarding contracts signed between companies linked with the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Cambodian government. The MP insisted on shedding light on many businesses linked with the Thai tycoon and relaying them to the national press. Thaksin’s name has been linked with development projects in Koh Kong, Phnom Penh, and several Cambodian regions such as Preah Vihear. These projects are often related to petroleum development supposedly located in Cambodian waters.

“My party was accused of linking Thaksin and Preah Vihear for political grounds but now that the elections are over, it is time to ask the government on the substance of these cases. There are links between cases where Thaksin is mentioned and Cambodia’s problems" he asserted. According to him there are also grey areas in the Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom temple disputes, as the Thai army invaded Cambodia without fearing any retaliation from the Phnom Penh government. Finally Sonn Chhay added that pursuant to article 96 of the Constitution, Sok An must answer his questions.

Phai Siphan, the spokesman for the Council of Ministers could not be reached but in a statement made to Kampuchea Thmei newspaper, he declared that no secret agreement existed with Thailand. He thinks that SRP accusations are just a repeat of the Thai opposition’s arguments attacking the Bangkok government. Phai Siphan in a letter sent to the SRP, ask for written clarification of the SRP links with its Thai counterpart.

“Is the relationship between both countries’opposition parties a positive aspect for the resolution of the Preah Vihear dispute or any other border issues?” wondered the spokesman.

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