Military

DATE=04/30/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-302736

TITLE=THAILAND/CAMBODIA (LONG ONLY)

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

BYLINE-NANCY-AMELIA COLLINS

DATELINE= BANGKOK

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia said Wednesday that ties between their two countries are back to normal following anti-Thai riots in Cambodia's capital last January. More from Nancy-Amelia Collins in Bangkok.

TEXT: Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said it was time for the two countries to move beyond their recent dispute, and to focus on the future.

Mr. Thaksin said the two countries would cooperate more closely than before on economic strategy and development. The foreign ministry spokesman, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said this might include regular joint cabinet meetings.

/// SIHASAK ACT ///

Both sides will have a joint cabinet meeting at the end of May...so most ministries and most

ministers will be taking part...it will be the first between Thailand and Cambodia

/// END ACT ///

The first joint meeting will start in the morning at the northern Cambodian town of Siem Reap and end in the afternoon in the eastern Thai town of Ubon Ratchathani. Mr. Thaksin said that if it proves useful, such meetings may be scheduled on a regular basis.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were suspended by Thailand in January, following anti-Thai riots in Phnom Penh that destroyed the Thai embassy and damaged several Thai-owned businesses.

The riots were sparked by rumors that a Thai actress had said Cambodia's national symbol of pride, the Ankor Wat temple complex, belonged to Thailand.

Cambodia later apologized for the violence and paid Thailand some six-million dollars in damages.

Cambodian leader Hun Sen said economic cooperation between the two neighbors was essential, and called fully restored relations the end to a ''nightmare.''

/// HUN SEN IN KHMER, FADE TO VOICEOVER ///

So far as relations between Cambodia and Thailand are concerned I can say that things are back at a good point. But for a short period of time, things were very difficult.

/// END ACT ///

The two leaders were meeting in Bangkok the day after Thailand hosted an emergency summit meeting of East Asian nations. The summit was called to form a joint strategy to contain the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and to find a response to the heavy economic impact the disease has had on the region. (Signed)

NEB/HK/NAC/BK