Thailand okays opening of PLO office

Thailand okays opening of PLO office

BANGKOK (Reuter): Farouk Kaddoumi, foreign affairs specialist of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), was to leave Thailand for Vietnam yesterday after winning agreement in principle for a PLO office in Bangkok.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Poldej Worachat said the two sides had agreed to establish the office, but that details had to be worked out.

Kaddoumi, regarded as the PLO's foreign minister, met Thai Foreign Minister Prasong Soonsiri during his visit, part of a Southeast Asian tour.

Kaddoumi is also deputy chairman of the board of governors of the Palestinian Economic Council, which channels international aid for the reconstruction of the occupied territories.

Charivat Santaputra, director of the Thai foreign ministry's Middle East division, said Thailand contributed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (RWA) for Palestinian refugees, and was ready to add its technical know-how when reconstruction of the territories began.

"The Palestinian side told us that this would take some time," Charivat said.

The Thai government, which has diplomatic relations with Israel, recognizes the PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinian people.