Tuesday, 12.6.2007: Cambodia Asks Thailand to Show Evidence over Accusation that Khmer Muslims Are Involved in Terrorism in Southern Thailand
The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 512
“Concerning the accusation by a security aide to the Thai Prime Minister against Khmer Muslim citizens, that they are involved in the Jemaah Islamiyah [JI] terrorist network, the head of the Royal Government of Cambodia reacted against the accusation by asking the Thai Government to find the facts and to give evidence, before making an accusation. However, in order to prevent the situation to get worse and worse between the two countries, the head of the Royal Government of Cambodia considers the accusation to be a personal issue of the Thai spokesperson, and not an issue between Cambodia and Thailand.
“Samdech Hun Sen, the head of the Royal Government of Cambodia, reacted in a statement at the inauguration of the construction site for the Prek Kdam Bridge, which is built with grant aid from China, on the morning of 11 June 2007. During the ceremony, Samdech Prime Minister said about the rebellion in the south of Thailand, that previously Thailand accused Malaysia and Indonesia, and now it turns to accuse Cambodia. Regarding the accusation, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen asked Thailand to find the facts and to give clear evidence before making such accusations. Samdech said that Thailand should not try to internationalize its internal problems. Nevertheless, Samdech appealed for the two countries and the people of the two countries to continue to strengthen solidarity with each other, by considering the issue to be a personal issue of the Thai spokesperson only, and not an issue between Cambodia and Thailand.
“Please be informed that a couple of days ago, General Wattanachai Chaimeunwong, a close aide to the Thai Prime Minister, told the media published in their country, that he is accusing that Khmer Muslims are involved in the JI terrorist network and rebellion in Southern Thailand. According to the Bangkok Post, which quoted the speech of the close aide to the Thai Prime Minister, who linked some Cambodian Muslims to the JI terrorist group and said that this issue needs cooperation between Thailand and its neighbor. The close aide and adviser in charge of security said that many Cambodian Muslims join the Gerakan Mujahideen Islam Pattani group. Moreover, the adviser said that terrorist suspects had often been arrested in Cambodia.
“According to an investigation, the adviser also said that a number of Cambodian Muslims entered Thailand legally to continue to find jobs in Malaysia, without a record about their departure from Thailand. It is not known where they have gone. Some go to religious schools and continue religious studies in the far south. It is believed that they are now related to Muslim schools. The report also said that the Cambodian authorities know about the JI movement in Cambodia, because Cambodian nationals had often been arrested on suspicion of involvement with Asian terrorist groups.
“Relating to the accusation, Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong also rejected the accusation, saying that the accusations are groundless and irresponsible. With regard to the accusations, Mr. Hor Namhong also asked the general and adviser to be careful with such accusations, and not to use his own inability to make others a scapegoat, as a pretext to hide his own inability.” Chakraval, Vol.15, #2688, 12.6.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Chakraval, Vol.15, #2688, 12.6.2007
- Cambodia Asks Thailand to Show Evidence over Accusation that Khmer Muslims Are Involved in Terrorism in Southern Thailand
- Ministry of Information Prohibits Newspapers from Publishing Global Witness Articles
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1363, 12.6.2007
- Thailand Accuses Cambodia that Nine Casinos at Border Stock Drugs and Conduct Money Laundering
- Samdech Hun Sen Opens Construction Site for Prek Kdam Cambodian-Chinese Friendship Bridge [Kandal]
- Radio Free Asia Reporter Mr. Um Sarin [who was threatened by Prime Minister Hun Sen] Went to Attend an International Federation of Journalists’ Conference in Moscow; He Denies Seeking Asylum
- Malaysian Government Provides 500,000 Copies of Koran to Cambodian Muslims [Phnom Penh]
- Heat Wave Kills 74 People in India
- 66 People Die and 600,000 Are Displaced because of Floods in China
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #6063, 12.6.2007
- Sam Rainsy Party Asks National Election Committee to Push Issuing of National Identity Cards, and Stop Issuing Form 1018 [for people who do not have identity cards so they can vote, because it causes people many difficulties]
- Sam Rainsy Party Announces Support for Royal Family Not to Enter Politics
- Thai Chargé d’affaires [Surasak Suparat] Promises to Send Cambodia’s Request to Bangkok [over accusation that Cambodian Muslims are involved in terrorism in Southern Thailand]
- 18 Cambodian Students Get [US post-graduate] Fulbright Scholarships
- Little Children at Ou Smach Earn Their Living by Pulling Logs from Forest [Banteay Meanchey]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3182, 12.6.2007
- Parliament Plans to Summon So Khun [Minister of Posts and Telecommunications] for Questioning about State Phone Gateway Theft by Nhek Korsal Vithyea, Director-General of Camintel
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4308, 12.6.2007
- Most Luxury Wood Furniture Workshops in Stung Treng Are Illegal
- Two [drunken] Military Police Beat [45-year-old] Monk until He Is Seriously Wounded and Unconscious [military a police chief says because the monk attempted to fight the military police – Tbaeng Meanchey, Preah Vihear]
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.14, #3059, 12.6.2007
- Cambodia and Cambodian People Need Samdech Krom Preah [Norodom Ranariddh] to Stay in Politics to Save the Nation and the People
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #424, 12.6.2007
- Seng Keang [logger] Owes Wood Transportation Fees to Residents; Chain Saws Still Sound at Prey Lang, Tum Ring Commune, and in Mean Ritth Commune [Kompong Thom]
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