ID :
47701
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 11:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/47701
The shortlink copeid
14TH ASEAN SUMMIT FINALLY TAKING PLACE
By A. Arul Rajoo
HUA HIN, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- After almost three months of delay, two venue
changes and constant threats of postponement, Thailand has declared that it will
host the 14th Asean Summit here despite thousands of anti-goverment protesters
besieging the Prime Minister's Office in Bangkok.
Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Tharit Charungvat said that all systems
were in place, including security arrangements for the nine visiting heads of
governments, foreign and trade ministers, and hundreds of delegates.
He said despite the anti-government protest in the capital, the situation
was calm and there was no real threat to the meeting which would be held at the
Dusit Thani Hotel.
"I am sure the representatives of Asean countries in Bangkok have been
following the situation. So far, they have not raised any concern...and this is
not the first time we are organising a huge event like this," he told reporters,
here Wednesday.
The protestors want Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to resign as well as the
dissolution of parliament.
The Summit, which was originally slated for December in Bangkok before being
moved to Chiang Mai due to street protests in the capital, was postponed to
February due to the prolonged domestic political crisis.
Hua Hin was picked by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government to avoid
protests by supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
About 3,100 policemen are expected to be deployed to keep security in Hua
Hin during the Summit.
The Summit has attracted massive media coverage, with over 1,200 media
personnel registering for the event, said Tharit, who is also the ministry's
Director-General of Information.
He said it included about 414 international media from 26 countries.
"This is huge and we are trying to facilitate all the facilities for the
media. We want to make it easier for them to work, as well as balance their need
with the security aspect," he said.
Asked about the Asean+3 and Asean+6 Summits which were initially scheduled
at the same time but delayed due to the tight schedule of some leaders, Tharit
said it could be held in April but no final decision has been made.
-- BERNAMA
HUA HIN, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- After almost three months of delay, two venue
changes and constant threats of postponement, Thailand has declared that it will
host the 14th Asean Summit here despite thousands of anti-goverment protesters
besieging the Prime Minister's Office in Bangkok.
Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Tharit Charungvat said that all systems
were in place, including security arrangements for the nine visiting heads of
governments, foreign and trade ministers, and hundreds of delegates.
He said despite the anti-government protest in the capital, the situation
was calm and there was no real threat to the meeting which would be held at the
Dusit Thani Hotel.
"I am sure the representatives of Asean countries in Bangkok have been
following the situation. So far, they have not raised any concern...and this is
not the first time we are organising a huge event like this," he told reporters,
here Wednesday.
The protestors want Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to resign as well as the
dissolution of parliament.
The Summit, which was originally slated for December in Bangkok before being
moved to Chiang Mai due to street protests in the capital, was postponed to
February due to the prolonged domestic political crisis.
Hua Hin was picked by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government to avoid
protests by supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
About 3,100 policemen are expected to be deployed to keep security in Hua
Hin during the Summit.
The Summit has attracted massive media coverage, with over 1,200 media
personnel registering for the event, said Tharit, who is also the ministry's
Director-General of Information.
He said it included about 414 international media from 26 countries.
"This is huge and we are trying to facilitate all the facilities for the
media. We want to make it easier for them to work, as well as balance their need
with the security aspect," he said.
Asked about the Asean+3 and Asean+6 Summits which were initially scheduled
at the same time but delayed due to the tight schedule of some leaders, Tharit
said it could be held in April but no final decision has been made.
-- BERNAMA
