Muslim Claims Upset Hun Sen

ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT

PHNOM PENH : Comments by the Surayud Chulanont government last year about the involvement of Cambodian Muslims in Thailand's southern insurgency have upset Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Speaking at the Fourth Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue yesterday, Mr Hun Sen said tolerance and respect of other religions were important for peace and harmony.

Mr Hun Sen's remark comes two days before he is due to meet former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled by the 2006 coup. The pair will play a game of golf together in Angkor City.

''Conflicts among certain religious followers take place due to differences in cultures and civilisations, and discrimination against each other,'' the Cambodian leader said.

''The problem in Thailand's south is its internal affair, but certain military spokesmen said Cambodian Muslims were crossing the border to help Thai militants,'' he said.

Cambodia, which denies the claims, asked Thailand not to make such remarks. Despite those requests, the military carried on making the assertions.

''I told former prime minister Surayud Chulanont that those comments were a big mistake. You [Thailand] have to solve your own problems and should not bring hard times to Cambodian Muslims.

''I asked Gen Surayud to make corrections,'' said the Cambodian premier.

''Stupid and unwise spokesmen created a small problem for everyone and their neighbours.''

Hun Sen also criticised the tendency for some commentators to link Muslims with terrorism.

The two-day Interfaith Dialogue is sponsored by Australia and New Zealand and is the first time a Buddhist country has hosted the regional meeting of various faith leaders.

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