ID :
14588
Fri, 08/01/2008 - 18:21
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French, Japanese envoys support Thailand on solving Khmer temple row
BANGKOK, Aug 1 (TNA) - The French and Japanese ambassadors to Thailand on Friday met with Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and discussed the ancient Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding area which is being disputed between this country and Cambodia, according to a foreign ministryspokesman.
French ambassador to Thailand Laurent Bili told Mr. Tej that the temple issue is sensitive and gained considerable interest among the Thai public, and that his embassy had reported developments on the issue to the Frenchgovernment and to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Mr. Tej, who assumed the ministerial post July 27, told Ambassador Bilithat France could now act as a bridge in solving the temple row.
Japanese ambassador to Thailand Hideaki Kobayashi supported Thailand to solve the border issue on a bilateral basis and would be willing to assist in clearing landmines around the disputed area, according to thespokesman.
The Japanese government has in the past helped with both finance andtechnical work in relation to landmine clearance on the border.
The Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers agreed in their meeting to redeploy troops in and around the new pagoda located in the temple complex, so that a meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission could be held to continue to demarcate the border line, to clear landmines around theancient temple, and to avoid any armed confrontation.
Also, Eric John, US ambassador to Thailand, called on Mr. Tej on Thursday and reaffirmed American "support for bilateral talks between Thailand and Cambodia to peacefully resolve the situation in the border area adjacent to" Preah Vihear temple, according to a statement released by the ThaiForeign Ministry.
Thanking Thailand for its preparations regarding next week's officialvisit of US President George W. Bush scheduled for August 6 and 7, Mr.
John gave assurances that the "US stood ready to cooperate and work closely with Thailand to further strengthen the two countries' relations," the statement said. (TNA)
French ambassador to Thailand Laurent Bili told Mr. Tej that the temple issue is sensitive and gained considerable interest among the Thai public, and that his embassy had reported developments on the issue to the Frenchgovernment and to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Mr. Tej, who assumed the ministerial post July 27, told Ambassador Bilithat France could now act as a bridge in solving the temple row.
Japanese ambassador to Thailand Hideaki Kobayashi supported Thailand to solve the border issue on a bilateral basis and would be willing to assist in clearing landmines around the disputed area, according to thespokesman.
The Japanese government has in the past helped with both finance andtechnical work in relation to landmine clearance on the border.
The Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers agreed in their meeting to redeploy troops in and around the new pagoda located in the temple complex, so that a meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission could be held to continue to demarcate the border line, to clear landmines around theancient temple, and to avoid any armed confrontation.
Also, Eric John, US ambassador to Thailand, called on Mr. Tej on Thursday and reaffirmed American "support for bilateral talks between Thailand and Cambodia to peacefully resolve the situation in the border area adjacent to" Preah Vihear temple, according to a statement released by the ThaiForeign Ministry.
Thanking Thailand for its preparations regarding next week's officialvisit of US President George W. Bush scheduled for August 6 and 7, Mr.
John gave assurances that the "US stood ready to cooperate and work closely with Thailand to further strengthen the two countries' relations," the statement said. (TNA)
