ASEAN Joint Disaster Relief Centre Underway: Minister

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14 November 2013, 20:05

(14 November) Citing the failure of ASEAN nations to respond more robustly to the recent typhoon disaster in the Philippines, the Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs said the effort to establish a joint disaster relief centre focused on assisting fellow ASEAN members is underway.

Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul made the comments after he attended the 8th Thai-Indonesian Joint Commission (JC) in Bangkok with his Indonesian counterpart, Mr. Marty M. Natalegawa, earlier this morning.

The meeting was intended for the representatives of Thailand and Indonesia to work on the agreed terms in their 7th Joint Commission in 2010, in which they signed five Memorandum of Understandings.

This year, the commission has discussed issues concerning trans-border crime suppression, terroristm, internet crimes, investments, fisheries, educations and agricultural goods.

The two nations also exchanged their perspectives on regional issues involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the development of the joint economic framework between Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

After the meeting, Mr. Surapong told our correspondent that the two nations have planned for periodic meetings for further improvements. They have also bilaterally discussed a possibility for a joint disaster relief agency focused solely on helping ASEAN nation in need, following the catastrophic damage Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) has caused in the Philippines.

Mr. Surapong added that he was aware of the scales of aid efforts sent to the Philippines by Western nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom which have surpassed efforts by regional countries such as Thailand.

The framework for the ASEAN disaster relief centre will be completed before the upcoming ASEAN Summit next year, the minister said.

"The disaster relief organisation does not have to be based in any country", Mr. Surapong explained, "But it must be able to gather supports from all ASEAN members and deliver them to the nation in need as soon as possible.”

In the meantime, the Thai government will donate its first batch of donation money of $200,000 (?6,000,000) in cash to the Philippines, in accordance with a suggestion made by the United Nation (UN), according to Mr. Chutithorn Khongsak, Director-General of the International Trade Department.

“Next week, the Cabinet will consider the delivery of other relief packages to the Philippines, and the Royal Air Force has offered to transport relief aids on their C-130 aircrafts” said the International Trade Director-General.

He added, “The Philippines is urgently short of food, hence Thailand – under the joint effort by ASEAN plus China, Japan and South Korea – will supply 5,000 tonnes of rice, as well as instant foods, drinking water, medicines and other items to the affected areas.”

Thailand, in coordination with UN’s World Food Programme (UNWFP), has also arranged its 6 months schedule to support the Philippines. Reportedly, the Kingdom will dispatch food in the plan’s first two months before supplying aids for further reconstruction.

Meanwhile, ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA), which is based in Jakarta, will coordinate the efforts conducted by ASEAN and the Philippines to assess how the support can be delivered to the country in the most convenient manner.

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Phone Companies 'Will Be Punished' For Disconnections

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14 November 2013, 19:33

Mr. Banharn Silpa-archa, a leader of Chart Thai Pattana Party, receiving birthday wishes via phone call from former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, 19 August 2013.

(14 November) The regulating body of Thai telecommunication business has threatened to penalise mobile phone providers for disconnections that occurred during ?peak time? of phone usage.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has received many complaints from mobile phone users about such disconnection during the hours of 16.00-21.00, said Col. Settaphong Malisuwan a member of the NBTC.

The NBTC will also add customers? satisfactory mean optimal score to their technical evaluation system, which will be enforced in the next 8 month, according to Col. Settaphong.

Any service provider who fails to qualify to the new assessment system will face various penalties including formal warning and license cancellation, the colonel added.

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Abbot 'Overwhelmed' By Over 100 Abandoned Dogs

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14 November 2013, 18:30

(14 November) A popular saying may say dogs are human′s best friends, but the abbot of a temple in Khon Kaen province would vehemently disagree.

The temple, Wat Tha Ratch Chai Sri, is overcrowded with more than 100 dogs abandoned to the cares of the temple monks by their former owners. The situation has become so severe that the monks decided to place a sign at the temple entrance pleading for an end to the practice.

"O, dear parishioners, please stop donating your dogs to us," the sign pleads.

′Temple Dogs′ (หมาวัด) are common in Thailand, where Buddhist doctrines preach against slaying of animals even in term of mercy killing, leading many dogs owners to leave their unwanted pets to their local temples.

But the 41 year old temple abbot, Phra Kru Sangkharak Chumpol, said his monks have had enough. "We are overwhelmed. We have to find food for the dogs, we have to clean them. And the locals have complained to us that these dogs have caused nuisance to them, such as biting the ducks and chickens in their farms".

He said many dogs arrived in fertilizer bags and paper boxes dropped off by their owners at the temple parking lots.

Phra Kru Sangkharak continued, "When temple-goers from other districts visit the temple, the dogs like to hound these folks. Some of them has even chased and bit the temple-goers," while the daily droppings of the canines have been too numerous for the 10 monks at the temple to clean in time, causing foul smell to nearby houses.

The abbot called on the local authorities to take away these dogs. "Leave us 4-5 dogs. We can take care of them", he said.

District chief of Don Bom Village, Mr. Sawas Phumee, complained that he has notified various authorities of the problems, but there has been no response.

He added that the temple dogs have not been vaccinated against rabid virus, which has become a source of concerns among local residents.

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Protesters Told To Make Way For HM King Celebration

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14 November 2013, 17:03

A group of police officers surrounded a retired military captain who attempted to approach the Government House with his fellow protesters to protest against PM Yingluck Shinawatra, 14 November 2013

(14 November) The authorities have urged the anti-government protesters who are occupying the stretch of Ratchadamnoen Avenue to disperse prior to the celebration of His Majesty the King′s birthday.

The birthday of HM King, which is enshrined as the national day of Thailand, falls on 5 December. Governmental agencies organise large-scale celebration of the auspicious occasion stretching for weeks each year, such as the mass candlelit rally at Sanam Luang and colourful decoration of Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Anucha Ramayanand, deputy spokesman of Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), said he has instructed the Bangkok Metropolitan Police to negotiate with the anti-government protesters to make way for the annual celebration which would take place around the Avenue.

"We believe both parties can come to an agreement," said Pol.Maj.Gen. Anucha.

He also estimated that the protesters, who are calling for the resignation of the government, would mobilise for more participants by the end of this week.

Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, the de facto leader of the protesters who recently resigned as a Democrat MP, has previously promised an "escalation" of his crusade against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on 15 November.

The said escalation will be closely monitored by the authorities, said Lt.Gen. Paradorn Pattanatabutr, the secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC).

"We believe the tactics of the protesters is to draw the mass from different [political] groups to show their strength on Ratchadamnoen Avenue," Lt.Gen. Paradorn told our correspondent, "However, I believe the situation would be well under our control. And let me insist that the government has no wish to employ violent methods against the protesters".

He added that the protests could drag on till the end of November to coincide with the parliamentary motion of no-confidence. The NSC chief also expressed his belief that the protests are being supported and funded by certain political networks.

"I admit that the security forces are worried by potential third hand party that might cause violence and force the government to be responsible for the losses," said Lt.Gen. Paradorn, insisting that he has received intelligence reports pointing to existing plots.

Nevertheless, he dismissed concerns that the planned mass rallies of the pro-government Redshirts might lead to violent confrontation between the two rival protests.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nuengdin Wimuttinand, a leader of the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), submitted a letter to Director of Division of Special Investigation (DSI) Tharit Pengdit, asking the DSI to prosecute the leaders of the anti-government protests along with senior members of Democrat Party on charge of "treason".

According to Mr. Nuengdin, the protest leaders? call for a nationwide "civil disobedience" campaign against the government clearly violate Article 116 and 117 of the Criminal Codes, which forbid acts of treason or encouragement of widespread unlawful conducts.

Mr. Suthep, the leader of the protests at Rachadamnoen, has previously encouraged his supporters to go on national strike between 13-15 November, and to refrain from paying taxes. His comments have been much criticised by representatives of the private sectors.

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Hague Ambassador Blasts Democrat's Preah Vihear Claim

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14 November 2013, 15:38

Mr. Virachai Plasai (left) and Mr. Sirichoke Sopha (right)

(14 November) Thailand′s ambassador to the Hague has warned that a Democrat MP′s speeches delivered to Parliament last night could play into Cambodia′s hands regarding its claim on the disputed territory around the Preah Vihear Temple.

Both Thailand and Cambodia claim sovereignty over the land of 4.6 square kilometres surrounding the 900 year old Hindu temple perched on the border between the two nations.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled in favour of Cambodia earlier this week, reaffirming its previous 1962 verdict that the temple and its immediate vicinity decidedly belongs to Cambodia, and demanding that Thailand withdraw its security forces from the area.

It also awarded a small tip of the promontory neighbouring Preah Vihear Temple, which is currently under Thailand′s oversight, to Cambodia, judging its natural features to be a part of the temple complex. The extent of the land described by the ICJ remains unclear.

But the ICJ judges refused to ascertain the ownership of the disputed 4.6 square kilometres territory around the hill of Phnom Trap, as a part of the 98th paragraph of the ICJ full judgement text reads, "The Court considers that Phnom Trap lay outside the disputed area and the 1962 Judgment did not address the question whether it was located in Thai or Cambodian territory".

However, anti-government critics, many of whom are known to frequently employ ultra-nationalist rhetoric, accused the Thai government of losing the case, claiming the verdict as beneficial to Cambodia′s position.

One such critic, Mr. Sirichoke Sopha, a Democrat MP, said during a parliamentary session last night that although the scope of the 98th paragraph did not pronounce an exact amount of territory Thailand is forced to hand to Cambodia, he has been told by an unnamed "expert" that the verdict could result in up to 2 square kilometres of "lost territory" for Thailand.

Mr. Sirichoke also insisted that, contrary to the Thai government′s reassurance to the public, the ICJ judgement effectively validated the borderline advocated by the Cambodian authorities, which means Cambodia is now entitled to grab the entire disputed territory of 4.6 square kilometres around Phnom Trap.

"I demand the government to be honest to the public about this matter," said Mr. Sirichoke, as he presented the map of the disputed territory on the Parliament′s video screen.

The MP′s comments were met with fiery responses from Mr. Virachai Plasai, the Thai Ambassador to the Hague, who had represented Thailand in the legal battle before the ICJ judges.

Usually soft-spoken and composed in the media, Mr. Virachai was visibly angry as he denounced Mr. Sirichoke′s analysis as fraudulent. "Your expert has spent only 48 hours in interpreting the 98th paragraph [of the ruling]," he said, "But our best experts at Durham University, England, are still scratching their heads what the paragraph actually refers to".

As the paragraph did not make clear how large the promontory near Preah Vihear Temple Thailand has to hand to Cambodia, the diplomat said, his team will refrain from giving suggestions concerning the territory to Parliament before proper studies of the verdict are completed.

Mr. Virachai also warned that the map presented to the Parliament by Mr. Sirichoke is based on the claim of the Cambodian authorities, as Cambodia has always insisted that it has the sovereignty over the disputed territory around Phnom Trap hill.

"It′s the lines Cambodia has drawn up on its own discretion. Our team has been working very hard, to the point that our eyes almost spill blood, to destroy that line of claims," said Mr. Virachai, "And we succeeded, because the ICJ has clearly stated in the 99th paragraph of its judgement that a unilateral [border] line is unacceptable."

He added, "But what Mr. Sirichoke has been doing tonight is validating the lines Cambodia have drawn up. He is damaging the interest of the nation … if the Cambodians are watching the broadcast of this debate right now – and I believe that they are – they would be smiling".

The negotiation over the ownership of the disputed 4.6 square kilometres will become very difficult because the Cambodians can claim that even a member of Thai Parliament has insisted the ICJ verdict gave Cambodia that entire territory, according to Mr. Virachai.

"As the head of the legal team [to the ICJ], let me stress here on behalf of the Thai people and the Thai nation, that Mr. Sirichoke′s comments belong to only one Member of Parliament. They have no legal binding in international laws" Mr. Virachai said, "Mr. Sirichoke′s acceptance of the border drawn by Cambodia is not the official position of Thailand".

After Mr. Virachai had concluded his remarks, Mr. Sirichoke stood up and replied, "It′s really surprising to see such an aggressive reaction from Ambassador Virachai".

The MP also insisted that his dedication to help Thailand′s position is no less than Mr. Virachai′s.

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22 Year Old Student Posed As Cosmetic Doctor

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14 November 2013, 15:04

(14 November) A 22 year-old university student who claimed to be plastic surgeon has been arrested as a part of the police crackdown on unlicensed medical clinics in Bangkok.

Ms. Natchanan Bhitakchaikorn, the owner of ‘Pulchala Clinic’, was arrested after she claimed on her website that she is a specialist in the beauty business. She is now facing charges of counterfeiting her documents and computer crimes for posting her false information online, police said.

Mr. Tharit Pengdit, Chief of the Division of Special Investigation (DSI), said Ms. Natchanan used fake license and fake graduation certification to present herself as a professional cosmetic surgeon.

According to Mr. Tharit, Ms. Natchanan was only a sophomore student at a private university in Bangkok who is currently struggling with her family financial issue.

Minister of Public Health Pradith Sintawanarong, MD, told our correspondent that there are 10,695 medical institutions run by the state authorities, and over 18,000 private-run establishments registered to the Ministry. In October 2010 – September 2013, 30 unlicensed medical facilities have been reported to the authorities.

Illegal operation of medical or cosmetic establishment carries a penalty of 3 year imprisonment maxmimum, and no more than 30,000 baht fine, whereas the unlicensed physicians must face 3 years in prison and 30,000 baht fine, said Mr. Tharit, the director of DSI. Meanwhile, the surgeon with counterfeited certificates will face 3 years in prison and no more than 6,000 baht fine.

Unlicensed cosmetic treatments have resulted in injuries and deaths of the patients in recent years.

Mr. Pradith added that those who are considering cosmetic or beauty surgery should check whether their preferred cosmetic medical institutions are properly registered via www.hss.moph.go.th, and those who wish to report about unlicensed medical establishment are advised to contact the authorities at 090-1231230.

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Business As Usual For Khaosarn Road Despite Protests

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13 November 2013, 21:38

(13 November) The rhythm of Bangkok′s backpacker street remains unaffected by the raging anti-government protests that occupied the entire southern stretch of Ratchadamnoen Avenue just few blocks away.

The protesters, who demand the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, have been camping around the Democracy Monument for almost two weeks, and have shown no sign of leaving soon.

Fearing an occupation of important governmental offices by the protesters, the police have cordoned off a number of roads around the protest site, causing traffic mayhem in rush hours. Meanwhile, experts and representatives of business sectors warned of far-reaching economic fallout caused by the prolonged rallies – especially if the protests spiral into full-blown violence.

But Khaosarn Road, one of the most famous tourist destinations of the capital city, is largely spared from the turmoil brewing nearby, according to interviews with many vendors, business owners, and foreign tourists in the area.

Sam, a Burmese man who sells beer at his streetside stall at the bustling backpacker road, told our correspondent that things have been normal as usual. However, he complained that although the protests have brought streams of protesters that commute through Khaosarn Road toward the rally at Ratchadamnoen, very few of them stopped by at his stall.

"I mostly welcome foreign tourists and Thai clubbers", said Sam, "but not many protesters in their black T shirts and whisles had actually become my customers."

Nevertheless, Sam (who goes by only his first name) is optimistic about the upcoming ?High Season?, a period when Thailand welcomes large influx of high-spending European tourists each year.

The situation is markedly different at the high-end Irish pub Mulligan, where a visible group of anti-government protesters drank and sang to the live music in the smoke-filled second storey of the pub.

One of them could not hide his political allegiance, blowing his whistle – the symbol adopted by the activists as a gesture of defiance against Ms. Yingluck′s government – during the musicians? rendition of Oasis? Stand By Me.

"Go ahead, brothers and sisters!," the band leader shouted to the mic in response, using the well-recited phases from the protests, "Express yourself freely!".

A manager of Mulligan, who preferred not to see his name printed in the media, told our correspondent although the number of his customers have decreased by at least 10% since the protests started, "the business is OK". The manager also believes the situation will not escalate into a violent confrontation.

But he voiced his concern that if the rallies continue for a longer time, his business would be eventually affected.

Back on the crowded street of Khaosarn, the atmosphere is as lively as any given night. Backpackers jostled their ways past group of drunken revelers, while vendors hawk Pad Thai and kebab on the side.

Nadia Meier and Stephanie Oehen, tourists from Switzerland, said they felt unsafe travelling in the vicinity of Khaosarn Road, but the presence of the protesters was not part of the factors. For them, the possibility of muggers and pickpockets are far more worrying in their opinion.

"I always keep my purse close to me. Who knows what′s gonna happen in Khaosarn," said Nadia.

Asked what they think about the protests, they replied they had not much idea about the anti-government campaign, even though one of their taxi drivers tried to explain it to them.

But Stephanie added that "It′s ok to protests, but it seems unwise to dance and sing in the avenue and disturb other people in the area like that".

Kate Lamb, an American backpacker, said she is aware of the protests, and she was worried the occupation of Ratchadamnoen Avenue would stretch for weeks or months. However, even if the protests do become prolonged, it would not affect her travel itinerary as she planned to leave Bangkok to other provinces soon.

"I understand they are exercising their rights under a democracy," said Ms. Lamb "But is there any possible way to protest in a less disruptive way?"

The protests also open up new business opportunities for some people. For instance, a group of young students from Satri Wittaya School, which has been shut down due to its extremely short distance to the rally stage, sells T-Shirts printed with slogans of the protests near Democracy Monument.

The youngsters said their parents allowed them to turn the free time during the school′s closure into a profitable one.

It appears that, apart from few hiccups caused by the protests, Khaosarn Road continues to welcome all the crowds from all the corners of the world as ever. As the local ethos here reads, Same same but different.

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Firework Shop Burns Down As Loy Krathong Approaches

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13 November 2013, 18:56

(13 November) A wholesale firecrackers shop in Pathum Thani province has burned down after fireworks stored in the shop caught fire, police said.

Thanyaburi police and firefighters were alerted of the incident at approximately 11.30 yesterday.

Rescue workers said two people were killed by the fire as they failed to escape the building. Other nine people were injured and taken to Pathum Thani Hospital.

One additional person was reported to have gone missing, later identified as Ms. Yupin Puesoontod.

The fire also destroyed six commercial lots and six cars around the shop, while the rescue team spent an hour to extinguish the blaze. The total loss is presumed to worth nearly 50 million baht.

Pol.Col. Niruth Prasittimet, Chief of Thanyaburi Police, said the fireworks stockpiled inside the building could not have been ignited on their own, so the officers suspect that the fire may have started from the kitchen of the store before spreading into its back room storage, where fireworks were kept to be sold during the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival.

However, Pol.Col. Niruth stressed that further investigation concerning the cause of the fire is underway.

Pathum Thani Governor, Mr. Pongsathorn Sajjachonphan, said that legal actions for illegally storing fireworks in community area will be taken against the owners of the building in a strict manner.

Meanwhile, Pathum Thani provincial officials have been instructed to close the area from the public after the fire-wrecked building started to collapse and might harm nearby buildings.

The incident took place just a week before the start of Loy Krathong Festival, during which firecrackers are widely sold and lit on the night of the festival despite high number of firework-related accidents in the past.

Although the authorities have repeatedly vowed legal actions against those who violate the restriction of fireworks sales and purchases, many festival-goers have ignored the threats.

Other than fireworks-related injuries and deaths, deaths by traffic accidents and drowning are associated with Loy Krathong Festival, said Mr. Prommin Kanthiya, director of the Office of Accident Prevention.

According to Mr. Prommin, 78 and 21 people were killed by traffic accidents and drowning throughout the 2012 Loy Kratong Festival, respectively; drowning has been a risk in the festival due to the tradition that requires festival-goers to float the Krathong onto the river.

He warned that uses of fireworks in public places during the festival that cause damages to other people or properties would be punished with a maximum penalty of 7 years in jail and a fine of 14,000 baht.

Mr. Prommin also urged the festival-goers to refrain from launching balloon lanterns – another favourite activity of the festival – near airports as the objects would disrupt air traffic.

2013 Loy Krathong festival is due to take place on 17 November, although many venues have scaled down their entertainment activities to comply with the public mourning of the late Supreme Patriarch.

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Heckling Of Education Minister 'Staged' By Democrats

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13 November 2013, 18:18

(13 November) Minister of Education Chaturon Chaisang has expressed his disappointment over the opposition MPs who had heckled him with whistle-blowing as he left the hotel where he had lunch.

The incident was made known to the public by Mr. Vittayen Muttamara, the director of Blue Sky Channel, a satellite TV channel allied to the Democrat Party, who published on his Facebook a video showing a group of individuals blowing their whistles at Mr. Chaturon while he walked to his car at a hotel parking lot.

The leaders of the anti-government protests at Ratchadamnoen Avenue have previously urged their supporters to carry whistles with them at all time and to use them in confronting any member of PM Yingluck Shinawatra′s Cabinet members they might encounter.

The video was shared widely by anti-government critics on the social network as a praiseworthy episode of ordinary citizens heckling one of the top politicians in Ms. Yingluck′s government.

However, a quick glance at the video reveals that the individuals who were blowing their whistles were far from anything that resemble ordinary citizens: they were in fact well-known Democrat MPs and former MPs, such as Mr. Puttipong Punnakan, Mr. Sathit Wongnongtoey, Mr. Thaworn Senniam, and Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek.

Speaking to our correspondent about the video, Mr. Chaturon said he was having lunch at Royal Princess Hotel before he encountered the group of Democrats as he left the hotel.

Mr. Chaturon said although he did not feel threatened by the heckling Democrats, he was disappointed that the MPs, many of whom he knew personally, would choose to harass him on his private time.

"I was merely having lunch on my own. I didn?t attend any political appointment at the hotel.," Mr. Chaturon complained, "It′s inappropriate how they blow their whistles in front of the hotel like that, because it might harm the business there. These fellow politicians know me personally. They shouldn?t have acted like that. They behaved as though they never knew me".

He added, "It′s not a spontaneous expression of disappointment [against the government]. It′s all staged with political result in mind. They recorded and broadcast the incident in a manner that unsuspecting viewers would see it as a minister getting heckled by the people".

Nevertheless, Mr. Chaturon said he had no plan to increase his security.

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Editorial: Preah Vihear and Maturity

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13 November 2013, 15:53

(13 November) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the ownership of the territory around Preah Vihear Temple has turned out to be what many sides have expected: that the ICJ would rule the case with the intention to promote peace between Thailand and Cambodia in mind.

As a judicial organ of the United Nations, the ICJ has once again lived up to the purpose of creating peace and justice among its member nations. Those members are also expected to respect and comply with the judgment handed down by the ICJ.

It is up to Thailand and Cambodia to initiate a peaceful dialogue on the issue of the disputed territory, which the ICJ declared to be out of its judicial scope, and on the possibility of a joint management of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site.

The cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia would not only be a success for the two nations, but also for the ASEAN community as a whole.

If Thailand and Cambodia could overcome the long-running dispute and manage the issue of Preah Vihear Temple with maturity, the outcome would help improve ASEAN′s reputation in the eyes of the world community.

The reaction of both nations to the ICJ verdict has been promising so far, partly helped by the cordial relationships between the two governments.

It appears that both Thai and Cambodian governments have finally realised they must co-exist in peace and strive to prevent misunderstanding that would lead to renewed military clashes along the borders.

The economic factor proves to be the major peacekeeper. Thai-Cambodian border trades amount to 38,000 million baht in the first five months of 2013 alone, a 18% increase from the same period in 2012; the total amount of border trade between the two nations throughout the year of 2012 exceeds 82,000 million baht.

However, the calm that follows the ICJ ruling is threatened by the nationalists and ultra-nationalists in Thailand who are seeking to manipulate the verdict for the sake of their own political campaigns against the government.

These attempts should trouble advocates of peace between the two nations, as the very same ultra-nationalist rhetoric have led to the deadly clashes along the Thai-Cambodia border in the past.

The losses caused by the past incidents should be adequate to convince all sides that an open conflict would not benefit the interest of both nations, especially the well-being of residents and soldiers in the border provinces.

Thailand and Cambodia should handle the dispute of Preah Vihear as mature nations. Both of them should rid themselves off the thorny past for the sake of the future.

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