Thursday, April 28, 2011

Sit down and talk this through

April 28, 2011
The Nation, Opinion

Re: “An exciting time to be a conspiracy theorist“, Opinion, April 27.

I agree with Tulsathit Taptim that prime ministers Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand and Hun Sen of Cambodia must come to the negotiating table before insanity reigns on both sides.

The two have been too concerned with their domestic political image, at the expense of their peoples’ lives alongside the Thai- Cambodia border.

By attempting to negotiate, they will be hailed for their courage to make peace just before an all-out and protracted war begins. As ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus said more than 3000 years ago: “In war, truth is the first casualty.”

In Thailand, Abhisit must stop the defence minister and the military leaders from speaking for the Thai government in general, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in particular.

Soldiers must stick to their duty as pertaining to the country’s defence only. They must leave all important comments for the government to make.

In Cambodia, Hun Sen must also stop showcasing his son, Hun Manet, both as a potential war hero at the border and a chief diplomat at the negotiating table. He must not lead the world community to believe he made this particular war for his son.

Chavalit Van
Chiang Mai

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