UN Chief ‘regrets’ Asian Summit cancellation
THAILAND: UN Chief Ban Ki-moon Saturday led expressions of regret
over the shock cancellation of an Asian summit after thousands of
anti-government protesters stormed the venue in Thailand.
“I deeply regret the postponement of the ASEAN and related summits
and the consequent postponement of my attendance to the events,” Ban
said in a statement from neighbouring Laos, where he was on a short
visit.
“I hope for an early restoration of normalcy in Thailand and for the
settlement of differences through dialogue and peaceful means,” said
Ban, who had been due to attend the talks Sunday.
Embattled Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was forced to cancel
the meeting of leaders from the ASEAN and China, Japan, South Korea,
Australia, India and New Zealand.
Helicopters evacuated foreign leaders from the summit after the
demonstrators broke in and Abhisit declared a state of emergency in the
city.
The summit had already been postponed in December, when protesters
against the previous government occupied Bangkok’s two airports for more
than a week, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the turmoil was a “domestic
issue” and supported Thailand’s continued chairmanship of ASEAN.
“We should give them a chance,” he told reporters, adding however
that the Thai government should also give an assurance that Saturday’s
events will not be repeated.
“The risk is the same for all of us, not just for me. I’m sure that
in the next summit they will take into account the experience of this
summit in Pattaya and preparations will be made accordingly.”
Pattaya, Wednesday, AFP |