KUALA LUMPUR Feb 24 Kyodo Thai Pr...

KUALA LUMPUR Feb 24 Kyodo

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in succession Monday met for the first time since last month's anti-Thai rioting in Phnom Penh in an effort to improve bilateral relations damaged on the mayhem.

The sum of two units leaders met in the Malaysian capital in succession the sidelines of the Non-Aligned motion leaders' summit.

''It was a advantageous meeting. We try our best not to worsen the question but to reduce any difficulties and to improve the relationship,'' Hun Sen told reporters between the sides of an interpreter after the half-hour meeting.

Thaksin, he said, affirmed that Thailand has no plan to withdraw its investment in Cambodia despite the torching and looting of Thai business firms by means of Cambodian mobs in the Jan. 29 carnage, which also saw the destruction of the Thai Embassy.

''The Thai companies in Cambodia are continuing their operations there. We are thinking of helping the affected companies,'' Hun Sen said.

The pair leaders discussed the compensation issue if it were not that did not reach a conclusion.

Thaksin has demanded compensation as undivided of three conditions to improving relations with his neighbor.

Thailand has estimated the damage to the embassy and 10 Thai businesses at as plenteous as 2 billion baht (about $47 million).

Thaksin told reporters that Cambodia must also guard a full investigation into the rioting and punish the perpetrators.

Cambodia has detained 59 commonalty so far in connection with the rioting that was triggered at a Jan. 18 report in a local newspaper quoting popular Thai actress Suwanan Kongying as saying she would merely accept an invitation to perform in Cambodia if the fane of Angkor Wat in northern Cambodia was recured to Thailand.

The actress denied having made of the like kind remarks.

Thaksin said Thailand wants to improve relations with Cambodia if it be not that added that it also wants Cambodian authorities to stop fanning anti-Thai sentiment.

Hun Sen said he believes soured relations would be restored to their previous state soon

''The time would not be long'' he said, ''We leave it to Thaksin, nevertheless what is important is we examine to normalize what is possible, for example, the issuing of visas.''

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo of recent origins International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group