Bangkok--Sep 23--MFA
With regard to reports in the news media on 21 and 22 September 2008 about comments by the Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesman on news reports about developments in Indonesia to resolve the situation in Southern Thailand, the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, wishes to clarify that on 21 September 2008, a reporter queried the MFA Spokesman concerning the said matter. The gist of the conversation is as follows:
Reporter: Are you aware of the meeting in Indonesia to resolve the situation in Southern Thailand, in which it seems the Indonesian Government was also involved?
MFA Spokesman: I have no information and haven’t received report about it.
Reporter: Has the Thai Government sent a high-level delegation to Indonesia on this matter?
MFA Spokesman: If by “high-level delegation” you are implying ministerial-level, then it is unlikely as Thailand is currently in the process of forming a new administration.
Reporter: Has there previously been any negotiations with the Government of Indonesia on this matter?
MFA Spokesman: The problems in Thailand’s southern border provinces are Thailand’s internal affairs. In previous exchange of visits between Thailand and her neighbours, including Indonesia, the matter has been raised and our neighbouring governments all have always expressed support for the Thai government’s policy to resolve the situation in southern Thailand. These countries have also expressed willingness to work with Thailand should Thailand request it, such as in the areas of religious cum normal educational curriculum and/or in applying certain Islamic laws with other laws which govern the country.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
With regard to reports in the news media on 21 and 22 September 2008 about comments by the Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesman on news reports about developments in Indonesia to resolve the situation in Southern Thailand, the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, wishes to clarify that on 21 September 2008, a reporter queried the MFA Spokesman concerning the said matter. The gist of the conversation is as follows:
Reporter: Are you aware of the meeting in Indonesia to resolve the situation in Southern Thailand, in which it seems the Indonesian Government was also involved?
MFA Spokesman: I have no information and haven’t received report about it.
Reporter: Has the Thai Government sent a high-level delegation to Indonesia on this matter?
MFA Spokesman: If by “high-level delegation” you are implying ministerial-level, then it is unlikely as Thailand is currently in the process of forming a new administration.
Reporter: Has there previously been any negotiations with the Government of Indonesia on this matter?
MFA Spokesman: The problems in Thailand’s southern border provinces are Thailand’s internal affairs. In previous exchange of visits between Thailand and her neighbours, including Indonesia, the matter has been raised and our neighbouring governments all have always expressed support for the Thai government’s policy to resolve the situation in southern Thailand. These countries have also expressed willingness to work with Thailand should Thailand request it, such as in the areas of religious cum normal educational curriculum and/or in applying certain Islamic laws with other laws which govern the country.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-