ID :
13232
Mon, 07/21/2008 - 12:29
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Thailand, Cambodia to discuss border dispute
BANGKOK, July 21 (TNA) - Thailand's Supreme Commander Gen. BoonsangNiempradit left the capital early Monday morning to meet with Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh mid-morning on the Thai-Cambodian border in an attempt to find a peaceful solution to the two countries' border conflict over a disputed temple.
Gen. Boonsang was assigned by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to lead the Thai delegation to Monday's session of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) at Sa Kaeo on the Thai-Cambodian border to discuss issues concerning the Preah Vihear temple situation with Cambodia.
The talks will be held as troop movements from both countries are raising the level of armed readiness on both sides of the border in the vicinity of the 11th century temple which was awarded World Heritage site status by United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)'sWorld Heritage Committee earlier this month.
The Thai supreme commander declined to give comments to reporters prior tohis departure.
Gen. Boonsang said earlier he could not yet say whether the Thai troops stationed near Preah Vihear will be withdrawn as requested by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen last week in a diplomatic note sent to his Thaicounterpart.
"It is better to wait for the outcome of the meeting first," Gen. Boonsang said, noting that "the Thai military will not employ violence to solve this problem."Instead, the military would use peaceful means in solving the border crisis.
Both countries have claimed sovereignty over a 4.6 square kilometre areaadjacent to the temple.
In Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia have stolen the limelight from ASEAN's foreign ministers as the regional organisation opened its annual workingsession on Sunday.
"Both sides affirmed that they would abide by their ASEAN and international obligations," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said in a statement. The two Association of South East Asian Nations neighbours pledged "to exert their utmost efforts to find a peaceful solution to the issue." Mr. Yeo said that Thailand and Cambodia would expend every possibility toresolve the border conflict at the disputed ancient Hindu temple.
The opening of the ASEAN meet was meant to be a time of celebration of accomplishment and possibility as Thailand moves into the chairmanship of the organisation later this week. (TNA)
Gen. Boonsang was assigned by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to lead the Thai delegation to Monday's session of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) at Sa Kaeo on the Thai-Cambodian border to discuss issues concerning the Preah Vihear temple situation with Cambodia.
The talks will be held as troop movements from both countries are raising the level of armed readiness on both sides of the border in the vicinity of the 11th century temple which was awarded World Heritage site status by United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)'sWorld Heritage Committee earlier this month.
The Thai supreme commander declined to give comments to reporters prior tohis departure.
Gen. Boonsang said earlier he could not yet say whether the Thai troops stationed near Preah Vihear will be withdrawn as requested by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen last week in a diplomatic note sent to his Thaicounterpart.
"It is better to wait for the outcome of the meeting first," Gen. Boonsang said, noting that "the Thai military will not employ violence to solve this problem."Instead, the military would use peaceful means in solving the border crisis.
Both countries have claimed sovereignty over a 4.6 square kilometre areaadjacent to the temple.
In Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia have stolen the limelight from ASEAN's foreign ministers as the regional organisation opened its annual workingsession on Sunday.
"Both sides affirmed that they would abide by their ASEAN and international obligations," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said in a statement. The two Association of South East Asian Nations neighbours pledged "to exert their utmost efforts to find a peaceful solution to the issue." Mr. Yeo said that Thailand and Cambodia would expend every possibility toresolve the border conflict at the disputed ancient Hindu temple.
The opening of the ASEAN meet was meant to be a time of celebration of accomplishment and possibility as Thailand moves into the chairmanship of the organisation later this week. (TNA)
