"They were concerned about freedom and rights. Some asked me when the Thai government would get rid of remaining obstacles," Nitya said.

"I don't want to hide anything from them. But I don't want to build up expectations."

The minister said one of his main priorities this week was to explain the political situation in Thailand to other ministers, such as whether it was stable now.

Asked if Washington was among the Apec members asking when Bangkok would lift martial law, Nitya just nodded.

The minister's aides said while Nitya did not have formal bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, he was sitting next to her during the whole Apec meeting due to seating being arranged in alphabetical order, so they had a chance to chat about other issues off the Apec agenda.

Nitya met Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer yesterday and said they discussed the political situation here. He also spoke with ministers from New Zealand, Peru, Chile and South Korea.

Today, he is scheduled to have bilateral meetings with ministers from Japan and Russia.

Apart from martial law, Nitya said some Apec ministers also asked for an exact deadline when the interim government installed by the coup would hand power back to the people and hold a general election.

"They asked me whether it would be 365 days or 367 days or 370 days. I told them it should take around one year."

Nitya interpreted international concerns in a positive way, saying: "They are worried because they are our friends."

Some countries had followed developments in Thailand closely.

"I have to commend the US Embassy, which has been closely monitoring the situation and understands the situation in Thailand well. But they did not have complete and full freedom to decide on how to deal with us."

Nitya said he briefed Apec ministers about developments in Thai politics and assured them of the interim government's intention to hand power back to the people in steps. "I told them to see what we are doing, instead of just taking our word."

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is scheduled to meet US President George Bush on Saturday morning during the Asean-US Leaders Meeting in Hanoi.

Asked if Surayud planned to raise any issue during the meeting, Nitya said it was an informal get-together so leaders weren't likely to prepare any statements to the meeting.

"Perhaps if the opportunity arises, he [Surayud] may take the opportunity to convey a similar message to allay concerns about the political situation in Thailand."

Yesterday, the Thai government distributed hundreds of press kits on Thailand at the meeting. It includes biographies of Surayud and other ministers as well as the policies of the interim government. Reporters here scooped them all up in half an hour.

An Egyptian envoy was among the people who collected a press kit. Asked why he was interested in Thailand, he replied: "I am interested in Thailand as a tourist destination."

Asked if he was aware of the military-installed government, he said: "I know, but it's your domestic affair."

Nitya also attended a working breakfast yesterday on North Korea with all Apec members aside from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Nitya said the meeting agreed that no one wanted any country in the region to have nuclear power. Officials felt this problem should be resolved through the six-party talks.

Jeerawat Na Thalang

The Nation

Hanoi