Surin Pitsuwan's letter to Foreign Minister Hor Namhong

H.E Hor Namhong
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Kingdom of Cambodia

Excellency,

Thank you very much for your letter dated 7th March 2010 referring to statements that were attributed to me on the Cambodian military exercises on 4th March 2010.

I deeply regret that the issue has caused much misunderstanding and discomfort, particularly when I was quoted lately out of context with regard to my comments.

The question directed at me was of a general nature and my responses were with specific reference to the prevailing situations along the Cambodian-Thai border which I have expressed on many occasions before to ASEAN Foreign Ministers and to the ASEAN leaders. My concerns on the border situations have indeed been publicly expressed on numerous occasions and are very much a routine response to media enquiries as in this case. No other media, foreign and Thai, reported on my statements.

I had no intention nor I was referring to any particular military exercises in Cambodia which I had no knowledge of at that point in time. When both issues were brought together, it was naturally inappropriate and had a very unfortunate and unwarranted effect.

Please be assured, Your Excellency, that I intend at all times to uphold and honour the highest standards of integrity and responsibilities at the Office of the Secretary-General of ASEAN with which the ASEAN leaders have entrusted me.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Thank you
(signed)
Surin Pitsuwan
Copy ASEAN Foreign Ministers