Date: 24 February 2003

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wants to speed the normalization of ties while proposing to compensate Thailand very quickly for the destruction of Thai embassy in Phnom Penh last month. 

On the sidelines of a summit of developing nations on Monday, the two leaders spent 40 minute-talks on the issue of restoring ties which resulted in some progress. Hun Sen expressed regret at the riots and said he hoped for a speedy resolution of the problems. Also, he stated he wanted to repay Thailand swiftly and bring relations back to normal. On part of Thailand, it also wanted to improve the broken ties, but thought there were still obstacles yet to overcome.

Regarding the compensation, Thailand has demanded $42 million from Cambodia for the damage of Thai embassy burned down as well as other Thai-owned businesses destroyed in Phnom Penh during the riots. But Cambodia, one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia with a per capita income of less than $300 a year is likely to unwell afford such a large sum. Officials say Cambodia may agree to pay the money over several years or could compensate Thailand in the form of goods rather than cash.

Meanwhile, Phnom Penh is eager to attenuate hostility toward Cambodia which has been spread out in Thailand since the violence last month. And, Hun Sen has been blamed for inciting the riots by making critical comments about a Thai soap opera actress allegedly reported to have said Cambodia's Angkor temples belonged to Thailand. Upon this accusation, Hun Sen has explained the riots were all the result of misunderstanding and the rapid spread of ferocity in Phnom Penh had taken him by surprise.

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