Hun Sen, Thaksin hold talks on improving ties

Hun Sen, Thaksin hold talks on improving ties

Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra held talks on Monday on normalizing ties between their
neighboring countries, a month after anti-Thai riots in Cambodia
plunged relations to their lowest level in years.

"We try our best not to increase the problem, but to reduce
any differences and improve relations," Hun Sen told reporters
after a 45-minute meeting with Thaksin on the sidelines of the
Non-Aligned Movement summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Thaksin told Hun Sen that full restoration of diplomatic and
economic relations between their two countries hinged on Cambodia
paying compensation to Thai companies looted and torched in the
riots and arresting those guilty for the crimes, Thai reporters
who attended a closed-doors briefing by Thaksin told The
Associated Press.

Thailand demanded reparations from its poorer neighbor after
Cambodian mobs rioted Jan. 29 in Phnom Penh, partially destroying
the Thai Embassy and Thai-owned businesses. Damage estimates ran
as high as 2 billion baht (US$46.5 million).

There were minor injuries but no confirmed deaths in the
incident. Thailand evacuated hundreds of its citizens from Phnom
Penh, closed its border with Cambodia and downgraded diplomatic
and economic relations.

It was the first meeting between the two government leaders
since the riots. Thailand has been gradually restoring relations,
sending back a small diplomatic team, but not an ambassador, and
reopening border checkpoints but for trade only.

The riots followed rumors that a Thai TV actress had insulted
Cambodia by suggesting that Thailand had a claim to Cambodia's
fabled Angkor temples, which symbolize the past glories of the
Khmer Empire to modern Cambodians, who have known little in
recent decades but war and poverty.

In an apparent reference to his political opponents, Hun Sen
stressed that Cambodia would "not allow third parties to benefit"
from the strain in bilateral ties. Hun Sen's government has
dismissed allegations that he had helped incite the violence with
a speech against the Thai actress.

Hun Sen added his government was considering helping Thai
businesses affected by the riots, and talks on compensation were
ongoing.