ID :
28574
Wed, 11/05/2008 - 10:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/28574
The shortlink copeid
THAI READY TO HOST ASEAN SUMMIT
By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said on
Tuesday he was confident that crisis-ridden Thailand would be able to
successfully host the 14th Asean Summit in Chiang Mai from Dec 13 to 18.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat
here, Surin said despite the ongoing political uncertainty, Thailand would be
able to organise the Summit and other related meetings with its dialogue
partners.
"I think almost all Thai people realise how important the event and I hope
there won't be any conflict during the Summit," he said.
The former Thai Foreign Minister, who took over the Jakarta-based Asean
secretariat, said it was important for the Summit to take place as scheduled as
many top leaders would be attending, including United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon and top officials of international agencies like the World Bank and
Asian Development Bank.
The Summit was initially planned to be held Bangkok but due to the ongoing
five-month long street protests where the Prime Minister's Office was seized by
anti-government supporters, the Thai government decided to change the venue to
the northern city of Chiang Mai.
Somchai only took over the reign on Sept 17 from Samak Sundaravej, who was
disqualified by the Constitution Court in September for appearing in television
cooking programmes while still in office.
Surin said he was pleased with the preparation being made by the host
despite the internal problem.
He said the Summit was important as the Asean Charter, which was signed by
all 10 member countries in Singapore last year, would become effective a month
after the meeting.
Thailand, one of the founder of the regional grouping, took over the
chairmanship in July.
Asked if he was willing to be a negotiator to end the conflict between the
government and protesters in his capacity as Asean secretary-general and a Thai
citizen, Surin said the situation in the country was an internal issue and that
he believed all parties would be able to find a solution.
-- BERNAMA
BANGKOK, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said on
Tuesday he was confident that crisis-ridden Thailand would be able to
successfully host the 14th Asean Summit in Chiang Mai from Dec 13 to 18.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat
here, Surin said despite the ongoing political uncertainty, Thailand would be
able to organise the Summit and other related meetings with its dialogue
partners.
"I think almost all Thai people realise how important the event and I hope
there won't be any conflict during the Summit," he said.
The former Thai Foreign Minister, who took over the Jakarta-based Asean
secretariat, said it was important for the Summit to take place as scheduled as
many top leaders would be attending, including United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon and top officials of international agencies like the World Bank and
Asian Development Bank.
The Summit was initially planned to be held Bangkok but due to the ongoing
five-month long street protests where the Prime Minister's Office was seized by
anti-government supporters, the Thai government decided to change the venue to
the northern city of Chiang Mai.
Somchai only took over the reign on Sept 17 from Samak Sundaravej, who was
disqualified by the Constitution Court in September for appearing in television
cooking programmes while still in office.
Surin said he was pleased with the preparation being made by the host
despite the internal problem.
He said the Summit was important as the Asean Charter, which was signed by
all 10 member countries in Singapore last year, would become effective a month
after the meeting.
Thailand, one of the founder of the regional grouping, took over the
chairmanship in July.
Asked if he was willing to be a negotiator to end the conflict between the
government and protesters in his capacity as Asean secretary-general and a Thai
citizen, Surin said the situation in the country was an internal issue and that
he believed all parties would be able to find a solution.
-- BERNAMA
