UN chief 'regrets' Asian summit cancellation
Posted: 11 April 2009 2024 hrs

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PATTAYA, Thailand - UN chief Ban Ki-moon Saturday led expressions of regret over the shock cancellation of an Asian summit after thousands of anti-government protesters stormed the venue in Thailand.

"I deeply regret the postponement of the ASEAN and related summits and the consequent postponement of my attendance to the events," Ban said in a statement from neighbouring Laos, where he was on a short visit.

"I hope for an early restoration of normalcy in Thailand and for the settlement of differences through dialogue and peaceful means," said Ban, who had been due to attend the talks Sunday.

Embattled Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was forced to cancel the meeting of leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and New Zealand.

Helicopters evacuated foreign leaders from the summit after the demonstrators broke in and Abhisit declared a state of emergency in the city.

The summit had already been postponed in December, when protesters against the previous government occupied Bangkok's two airports for more than a week, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the turmoil was a "domestic issue" and supported Thailand's continued chairmanship of ASEAN.

"We should give them a chance," he told reporters, adding however that the Thai government should also give an assurance that Saturday's events will not be repeated.

"The risk is the same for all of us, not just for me. I'm sure that in the next summit they will take into account the experience of this summit in Pattaya and preparations will be made accordingly."

Najib added: "It does not affect our spirit in ASEAN, which is still strong for us to continue to cooperate."

He said he managed to squeeze in a bilateral meeting with Abhisit but after that he went back to his room and was told to wait while Thailand decided on whether to proceed with the summit.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo said the summit had been postponed until further notice, adding: "This is the suggestion of the (Thai) prime minister and we all agreed."

Asked whether he wanted to go home -- Philippine President Gloria Arroyo was among those airlifted by chopper -- he added: "Let us all enjoy Pattaya first."

A spokesman for Indonesian leader Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the president was "in high spirits" despite having to turn around for home shortly after arriving at a military airbase near Pattaya.

"He's leaving it all to the judgement of the Thai government on how to proceed," he added.

- AFP/ir