Dear Editor:

The article "Pressure mounts to halt Thai-KR log trade" published in

the Phnom Penh Post on 27 December, 1996 stipulates notably:

• Mr. Taylor "says that Chavalit attended a meeting at the Cambodian Embassy

on January 18 with Tao Seng Hour and the Cambodian Ambassador, the same day as representatives

of thirteen Thai logging companies."

• "The implication of Chavalit at the meeting at the embassy in January was

considered as 'timely' by Tao Seng Hour. 'He was the Vice Prime Minister and was

representing the Thai Government' said the Minister."

I insist on issuing the most categorical denial of these two allegations.

His Excellency Chavalit did not participate on Jan 18 at such a meeting at the Cambodian

Embassy and I could not as a consequence say that his participation was timely.

On the contrary His Excellency Chavalit received on January 18 at the Government

Palace the delegation that I was leading. This very constructive meeting was for

the purpose of studying the modalities of reinforcing cooperation between Thailand

and Cambodia in particular in the domain of controlling timber trade.

I request that you publish this clarification as soon as possible.

Please accept, Mr. Editor-in-Chief, the assurances of my distinguished consideration.

- Tao Seng Hour, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries