Thai-Cambodia rift over Shinawatra widens; APEC Economic Leaders Summit held in Singapore; Yudhoyono visits Malaysia, his first trip abroad after being sworn in; PM Hatoyama at Japan-Mekong Summit: Japan to expand humanitarian assistance to Burma
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    • Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia over the appointment of ex- Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser to the Cambodian premier continued with the Thai Cabinet revoking the 2001 MoU signed regarding maritime boundaries.1 The Thai government also sought to seek the extradition of Shinawatra from Cambodia, though PM Vejjajiva admitted that it will be difficult considering that Thaksin’s whereabouts are not known.2

    Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Malaysia and Singapore during the week. At Singapore, he attended the 17th Summit meeting of the Economic Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on ‘Sustaining Growth, Connecting the Region.’3 Leaders discussed issues relating to measures to overcome the global financial crisis and to promoting sustainable economic recovery.4

    Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono paid a two-day visit to Malaysia on November 11. This was his first trip abroad after his election on October 20. Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters of his visit that issues relating to foreign workers, terrorism, Islamic militancy, border security and drug trafficking will be discussed during Mr. Yudhoyono’s visit.5

    At the Japan-Mekong Summit held in Tokyo from November 5-7, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama assured his Burmese counterpart Thein Sein that Japan will expand its humanitarian assistance to Burma on account of the recent political progress made in the dialogue between the authorities and Suu Kyi.6 US President Obama meanwhile at the APEC summit in Singapore on November 15, where Thein Sein was present, demanded the release of Suu Kyi.7

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