Thai PM emphasises on refining the reconciliation plan; Thaksin considers the possibility of reconciliation ‘very far away’; US Senator Jim Webb to revisit Myanmar; Palestinian President visits Malaysia;
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  • Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has stressed upon the need to improve his five-point reconciliation plan further in order to restore the nation after the recent political turmoil as well as to ensure public participation.1 While acknowledging that it will take more time to execute such a plan as some elements within the country are still trying to create problems, Abhisit firmly stated that his government had no intention of reconciling with those ‘terrorists’ who were among the red shirt demonstrators.2 In the meantime, fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has termed the ruling Thai government a ‘junta’ and considered the possibility of reconciliation ‘very far away’.3

    US Senator Jim Webb (Dem.) is scheduled to revisit Myanmar during June 3-5. Senator Webb was responsible for the release of American citizen, John Yettaw, the eccentric Vietnamese war veteran who was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment by the Myanmar authorities for his intrusion into Suu Kyi’s house last year. During his visit, Webb will meet junta officials as well as leaders of the recently dissolved National League for Democracy including democratic icon Aung San Suu Kyi.4

    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Malaysia on May 26 on a three-day working visit. During his visit, he would meet Malaysian leaders and discuss bilateral and international issues, including the latest developments in Palestine. The visit is expected to boost bilateral relations further.5

    After the recent revelation by a multinational probe that North Korea was responsible for the sinking of the South Korean ship in an unprovoked torpedo attack, Malaysia has urged both Koreas to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could escalate the tension on the Korean peninsula further. This was stated by the Foreign Ministry of Malaysia in a statement.6

    During his recent visit to South Korea, Malaysian Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim expressed hope that bilateral cooperation would be strengthened further in the information communication technology (ICT) sector. According to him, the involvement of the two countries in ICT-related projects could also facilitate strengthening of diplomatic relations.7

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