Cambodian Prime Minister Says Border Dispute Solving Depends on Thailand

On 29 July, Cambodian Government-run Phnom Penh Television Kampuchea in Cambodian at 0450 gmt carried, before its midday newscast, a one-minute video recorded news conference on the Preah Vihear Temple issue given by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to a crowd of reporters following a meeting with visiting Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Kimura Hitoshi in Phnom Penh on the morning of 29 July.

Hun Sen speaks to the reporters as follows:

“There should be patience and mutual understanding. The talks that we conducted at this level are appropriate and sufficient, and we understand the difficulties of the Thai friends who demanded to ask for authorization from the government. Moreover, maybe the government, too, has to [adding "to"] hold discussions with other institutions, which is Thailand’s internal affair.

“However, on the Cambodian side, I have decided to offer opinions successively and ask for opinions from our foreign minister, His Excellency Hor Namhong, successively too. Therefore, this problem is a problem of time; that is, how soon the Thai side could ask for a political decision from the Royal Thai Government. As for us, there is no problem. The problem lies in when Thailand decides to carry out activities. As for us, anytime will do.”

Originally published by Television Kampuchea, Phnom Penh, in Cambodian 0450 29 Jul 08.

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