Abhisit government lack political maturity - Cambodia

"The spokesman of the Royal Government of Cambodia totally rejects the report of the Thai News Agency on November 21, 2009, which was confirmed by Panitan Wattanayakorn, the Royal Thai Government's acting Spokesman, alleging that the daughter of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister, was planning to hold shares in Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), a private company," read the statement issued Monday.

The statement reiterated that Cambodian government appointed its officials to temporarily supervise and manage the company, only to protect the national security and safety for Cambodian leaders.

In addition, the temporary supervision and management of CATS by Cambodia will continue until the court's final decision to bring an end to the case of the Thai staff, who has been accused of disclosing the confidential flight schedule of Thaksin Shinawatra.

The statement alleged that Abhisit government has violated international law as well as

bilateral agreements, such as the Judgment of the International Court of Justice of the Hague in 1962 on the Case of the Temple of Preah Vihear. Recently, the Abhisit's government unilaterally revoked the 2001 MOU specifying negotiation arrangements aimed at achieving a joint development of oil and gas in the Area of the Overlapping Maritimes Claims to the Continental Shelf, which is to be implemented at the same time as the planned negotiations on the maritime boundary delimitation.

"These actions reflect the Thai government glaring violation of the principles of international law concerning the obligations signatories have to fulfill in the context of bilateral, multi-lateral agreements or treaties as stipulated in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969 particularly as it relates to the principle of state continuity and the Pacta Sunt Servada principle," read the statement.

Without firm position concerning the respect of agreements and having violated the principles of international law, the Abhisit's government must think that Cambodia will follow Thailand's way.

"On the contrary, as a member of the United Nations, Cambodia has been always strictly respectful of its obligation as a signatory state to international and treaty in force.

Indeed, the Royal Government of Cambodia has never violated any agreements it has signed.

The Royal Government of Cambodia always fulfills the agreements it signs, including agreements with the private sector, so as to enhance the confidence of local and foreign investors, including Thai investors.

Regarding the above allegation, the spokesman expresses strong regrets, and is wondering why this news report would be fabricated.

"Indeed, this action, which indicates a lack of political maturity, seems to show clearly the intention of the Abhisit's government to use a private company as a tool of political exploitation and diplomatic boasting and to discourage foreign investors who invest in Cambodia."