Transcript Of Ban Ki-Moon Press Conference Following His Meeting With PM Abhisit

[News_Editor]

UN Secretary-General Ban meets Thai Prime Minister Vejjajiva in Bangkok

2010-10-26 21:14:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK (BNO NEWS) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in Bangkok on Tuesday, discussing a wide range of national and international issues.

Ban met with Vejjajiva in Bangkok at the start of his trip to Asia. During the meeting, the leaders discussed issues related to UN-Thailand cooperation, including Thailand's contribution to UN peacekeeping operations.

"The situation in Myanmar was also discussed, along with UN-ASEAN cooperation in the context of the upcoming ASEAN-UN Summit in Ha Noi, Vietnam, on October 29," said Martin Nesirky, a spokesman for Ban. "[The Secretary-General] thanked Thailand for its active role as the Chair of the UN Human Rights Council."

Meanwhile, Vejjajiva briefed Ban on the ongoing national reconciliation efforts in Thailand. "The Secretary-General said many of the issues that led to the recent violence and loss of life could best be resolved through committed and genuine national dialogue, and encouraged the Prime Minister to continue with these efforts," Nesirky added.

Ban also expressed his hope that any human rights violations would be addressed in a transparent manner by the Thai government, which Ban said will make the society even stronger and more participatory in dealing with social and political issues.

On Monday, at least 15 people were wounded after a series of explosions rocked the troubled southern region of Thailand. It happened on the sixth anniversary of a deadly anti-government protest that left 85 people killed.

And last week, the Thai government renewed the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations in its three southern regions of Yala, Pattani and Narthiwat. The decree was first introduced 5 years ago and will now continue until at least January 19, 2011.

"The policy of my government is not to create conditions that could provoke more violence by allowing the authorities to abuse the law," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said, as a number of rights activists have criticized the decree, saying it gives military forces legal immunity.

Separatist groups in the southern regions have brought constant and violent uprisings in the region for the past 6 years. Over 4,000 people have died and more than 7,000 others have been injured during this period.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-26

[george]

Transcript of the Secretary-General’s press conference following his

meeting with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand, 26 October 2010 (unofficial transcript)

SG: Thank you, Mr. Prime Minster. Sawatdee Khrap. Ladies and gentlemen of

the media:

I am pleased to be back in Thailand again. Let me express my appreciation

to the Prime Minister and Government and people of Thailand for the warm

hospitality extended to me and my delegation. And please allow me to

express my most profound sympathy for the victims of the recent floods --

all those who lost their homes and livelihoods or, far worse, their dear

lives. It is a stark reminder of the reality of climate change and the

urgent need for action. We discussed with the Prime Minister how we can

work together, particularly with Thailand and ASEAN [Association of

South-East Asian Nations], to address climate change.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank Thailand for its active role

as a UN Member State and for hosting a large UN family in Bangkok. Thailand

and the United Nations have a long and solid partnership and I am here to

strengthen it and I am very much grateful for such strong support of the

Thai Government for the work of the United Nations and particularly ESCAP

[Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific].

I had a productive meeting with Prime Minister Abhisit and other members of

the Government. As the Prime Minister has outlined in a detailed manner

what we have discussed, I do not have much to add. I can only say in

general terms we discussed cooperation between Thailand and the United

Nations and I highly commended the leadership role of Thailand as President

of the Human Rights Council and Thailand’s contribution to our work for

development; and I appreciated Prime Minister Abhisit’s own participation

in the recent Millennium Development Goals Summit meeting in New York. I

had again a very productive meeting earlier this month for a second time in

New York, when he visited New York again.

Thailand is leading by example in environmental protection and also in

peace and security, including peacekeeping. In that regard, as the Prime

Minister has just said, I highly commended and appreciated such a

leadership role by deploying a peacekeeping battalion, the first ever

non-African battalion in Darfur, and I asked the Prime Minister that the

United Nations would appreciate it if the Thailand Government would send

more police officers, and particularly female police officers. That would

be very important in addressing many unfortunate cases like sexual

violence, and we have very successful cases in Liberia and Haiti when

female police officers have been a part of the society and dealing with

many women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence.

We also discussed regional issues, including Myanmar and cooperation

between ASEAN and the United Nations. And the Prime Minister briefed me

about his recent visit and meeting with the Myanmar leadership about the

forthcoming elections and how ASEAN and the United Nations can work

together to help Myanmar to further democratize and make this election a

more transparent and more inclusive one by meeting the expectations of the

international community.

As you know, I will be attending the ASEAN-UN summit in Hanoi in a few

days’ time. ASEAN and its members are important players in the effort to

recover from the global economic crisis, combat climate change and promote

stability and peace. Thailand has many important lessons to offer the

world. The country is on track to meeting most of the Millennium

Development Goals. It is deeply engaged in South-South cooperation.

I was briefed by the Prime Minister on the current situation in Thailand

and the efforts currently underway towards national reconciliation and

dialogue. Many of the issues that led to the recent violence and tragic

loss of life can best be resolved through committed and genuine national

dialogue conducted in good faith. I therefore encouraged the Prime Minister

to continue with these efforts through an inclusive, broad-based process.

Mr. Prime Minister, thank you again for your leadership and partnership and

I look forward to working very closely with you and other leaders of the

Thai Government. Khop Khun khrap.

Q: Secretary General, could you please tell me more about Myanmar

elections? Actually more transparent and inclusive election is inevitable.

However, the current situation doesn’t ensure that way. How can the UN

commit to the Myanmar elections in order to make it more free and fair?

What is the UN’s role? What can the UN do from now on?

SG: The United Nations, by the mandate of the General Assembly of the

United Nations, has been playing a good offices role to help Myanmar to

democratize and I have had meetings – at least three times – with General

Than Shwe of Myanmar. Now that they are going to have the first ever

elections in 20 years, and I only hope, sincerely hope, that this election

will be an inclusive and transparent and credible one. That is the

expectation of the international community. The more they signal through

concrete actions that it is a departure from business as usual or the

status quo towards more openness, the better it will be for the credibility

of their country in the democratization process.

Now, the United Nations has offered a willingness to provide technical and

logistical support, but I understand through my meetings with the Prime

Minister and through their own communication that they do not want any

outside help. In any case, the United Nations is committed to even

longer-term engagement with Myanmar. It is not only Myanmar, but it also

has implications in this region. It is even important for ASEAN’s

integration. ASEAN and Thailand are in a good position to help Myanmar’s

people to further democratize and further [have a] participatory process in

their future. Again, I thank the Thai Government’s strong support for my

good offices role, and I am committed to work together for the better

future of Myanmar.

Q: Secretary-General, let me return to the Burma, Myanmar situation.

Apparently Myanmar failed to demonstrate that the election is free and fair

and inclusive, because they don’t invite foreign journalists and observers.

What is the UN role for the election outcome? Are you dealing with the new

government, giving the legitimacy and recognize it as a civilian

government? What future role will the UN play with the new government in

Myanmar?

SG: I have answered part of your question; now that they are going to have

elections on 7 November. As I said, I do expect and hope that this election

will be an inclusive and transparent one. It will be even more important

after the election, how inclusive a government they will form as a result

of the election, reflecting the will and wishes of the people. That will be

a test of the Myanmar Government – how they will be able to meet the

expectations of the international community. The United Nations is now

committed to engage in a longer-term relationship with Myanmar and I am

very much encouraged by such a strong welcome and support by ASEAN and

ASEM, recently demonstrated by their summit meeting, and I will continue to

exercise and to do my role of good offices.

We will really be expecting that this election will be a fair one and a

credible one and an inclusive one. In that regard, it is not too late, even

now, that by releasing the political detainees, they can make this election

more inclusive and participatory and this election will have perception

issues when this election is actually over. Therefore I would again hope

that they will heed the international calls. I am going to have a bilateral

meeting with Prime Minister Thein Sein in Hanoi on the margins of the

ASEAN-UN summit meeting and I am again looking forward to having a very

constructive dialogue with Prime Minister Thein Sein.

Q: I believe you have heard that civil society groups and also political

groups would like to see all related UN special rapporteurs to look into

the aftermath of the April/May incidents (in Bangkok). So I wonder: what’s

your take on this?

SG: As the Prime Minister has already answered in his opening remarks, we

discussed this issue. In fact, this is a Thai issue and this should be

resolved by Thais. I am encouraged that the truth and reconciliation

commission has started their work, and this commission has shown openness

in their work, wishing that they are ready to work with even the

international community. They have sought international assistance in

technical and specific matters, and I expressed my readiness to the Prime

Minister that the United Nations is ready to provide any technical

assistance to this commission’s work.

Okay. We should learn from this incident, what has happened, and I

sincerely hope that all these issues will be addressed in a transparent

[way], in addressing any violation of human rights which will make your

society even stronger, more participatory, in addressing your own social,

political issues.

-- 2010-10-26

[monkfish]

Snip//

SG: As the Prime Minister has already answered in his opening remarks, we

discussed this issue. In fact, this is a Thai issue and this should be

resolved by Thais. I am encouraged that the truth and reconciliation

commission has started their work, and this commission has shown openness

in their work, wishing that they are ready to work with even the

international community. They have sought international assistance in

technical and specific matters, and I expressed my readiness to the Prime

Minister that the United Nations is ready to provide any technical

assistance to this commission's work.

Snip//

-- 2010-1-26

What's this mean?

When are the autopsy results going to be ready?

and were the weapons Military issue or not.

Should be easy for a metallurgist to work out.

[rubl]

Snip//

SG: As the Prime Minister has already answered in his opening remarks, we

discussed this issue. In fact, this is a Thai issue and this should be

resolved by Thais. I am encouraged that the truth and reconciliation

commission has started their work, and this commission has shown openness

in their work, wishing that they are ready to work with even the

international community. They have sought international assistance in

technical and specific matters, and I expressed my readiness to the Prime

Minister that the United Nations is ready to provide any technical

assistance to this commission�s work.

Snip//

-- 2010-1-26

What's this mean?

When are the autopsy results going to be ready?

It doesn't say, just that they're busy, show openness, asked for expert help. Rome wasn't build in one day, old chap. These things take time.

It would also not be up to Mr. Ban to announce a date when a report will be forthcoming. That's the privilege of the commissions head, or maybe the PM. Last I heard, was a call on all PTP and/or red-shirts who could provide input has been declined. They're busy with their own plan, commisions, maybe even provided Mr. Ban with their report. In that case I'm sure you'll get details soon

[chantorn]

Snip//

SG: As the Prime Minister has already answered in his opening remarks, we

discussed this issue. In fact, this is a Thai issue and this should be

resolved by Thais. I am encouraged that the truth and reconciliation

commission has started their work, and this commission has shown openness

in their work, wishing that they are ready to work with even the

international community. They have sought international assistance in

technical and specific matters, and I expressed my readiness to the Prime

Minister that the United Nations is ready to provide any technical

assistance to this commission�s work.

Snip//

-- 2010-1-26

What's this mean?

When are the autopsy results going to be ready?

It doesn't say, just that they're busy, show openness, asked for expert help. Rome wasn't build in one day, old chap. These things take time.

It would also not be up to Mr. Ban to announce a date when a report will be forthcoming. That's the privilege of the commissions head, or maybe the PM. Last I heard, was a call on all PTP and/or red-shirts who could provide input has been declined. They're busy with their own plan, commisions, maybe even provided Mr. Ban with their report. In that case I'm sure you'll get details soon

The report will be out in 50 years.

(PS. The North Ireland took like 20 years).

[yellow1red1]

Snip//

SG: As the Prime Minister has already answered in his opening remarks, we

discussed this issue. In fact, this is a Thai issue and this should be

resolved by Thais. I am encouraged that the truth and reconciliation

commission has started their work, and this commission has shown openness

in their work, wishing that they are ready to work with even the

international community. They have sought international assistance in

technical and specific matters, and I expressed my readiness to the Prime

Minister that the United Nations is ready to provide any technical

assistance to this commission�s work.

Snip//

-- 2010-1-26

What's this mean?

When are the autopsy results going to be ready?

It doesn't say, just that they're busy, show openness, asked for expert help. Rome wasn't build in one day, old chap. These things take time.

It would also not be up to Mr. Ban to announce a date when a report will be forthcoming. That's the privilege of the commissions head, or maybe the PM. Last I heard, was a call on all PTP and/or red-shirts who could provide input has been declined. They're busy with their own plan, commisions, maybe even provided Mr. Ban with their report. In that case I'm sure you'll get details soon

The report will be out in 50 years.

(PS. The North Ireland took like 20 years).

true; dreaming there will be answers,? closure: STOP dreaming,

first in line is who killed JFK

the world believes the Americans captured the Enigma on U571, when they had not yet joined the allies

The Brits got that off the German sub, but had already broken the codes, anyway

point is,,, whoever wins future power will decide what really happened!

[jayjay0]

Snip//

SG: As the Prime Minister has already answered in his opening remarks, we

discussed this issue. In fact, this is a Thai issue and this should be

resolved by Thais. I am encouraged that the truth and reconciliation

commission has started their work, and this commission has shown openness

in their work, wishing that they are ready to work with even the

international community. They have sought international assistance in

technical and specific matters, and I expressed my readiness to the Prime

Minister that the United Nations is ready to provide any technical

assistance to this commission's work.

Snip//

-- 2010-1-26

What's this mean?

When are the autopsy results going to be ready?

and were the weapons Military issue or not.

Should be easy for a metallurgist to work out.

Just because a weapon is military it does not mean it was fired by the military.

Here in Thailand we have a live and healthy black market. You can get any thing you want.