Thailand denies reported objection

Thailand denies reported objection

INDONESIA: Thailand's Ambassador to Indonesia Atchara Seriputra
has denied reports that his country has objected to a proposal by
Indonesia to establish a regional peacekeeping force.

"It was a misquote; our minister has in principle agreed with
the action plan for an ASEAN peacekeeping force," Seriputra said,
as quoted by Antara on Monday.

He was referring to a Bangkok Post report that quoted Thai
Minister of Foreign Affairs Surakiart Sathirathai as saying that
an ASEAN peacekeeping force was not necessary.

According to the minister, said Seriputra, the plan should be
an evolving process considered on a case-by-case basis and be
based on consensus.

The peacekeeping force was proposed by Indonesia as part of
its ASEAN Security Community (ASC) concept, initially mooted by
Indonesia last October at the ninth ASEAN Summit in Bali.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Delia Albert said recently that
she was looking forward to a discussion on the creation of a
regional peacekeeping force. --JP