Cabinet approves redeployment of troops near Preah Vihear temple

BANGKOK, Aug 6 (TNA) -- Thailand will pull back some troops currently in place at a recently-built pagoda and the nearby ancient temple of Preah Vihear before Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and his Cambodian
counterpart Hor Namhong meet again, possibly during the third week of this month, a Thai government spokesman said Tuesday.

The decision was made by the Thai cabinet during its weekly meeting
earlier in the day after it officially heard and discussed the outcome of
last week's first meeting between Mr. Tej and Mr. Hor Namhong in
Cambodia's Siem Reap province.

A number of agreements were reached at that meeting, including troop
reductions by both countries -- at the pagoda and the nearby Preah Vihear
temple -- aimed at reducing tensions along the common border.

Both countries reinforced their troops at the 11th century temple since
mid-July when Thai protestors attempted to reach the site from a closed
border point.

The International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia
in 1962. The temple gained the World Heritage status from the United
Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in early
July.

Government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat said the number of troops of
the two countries must be reduced equally, with the Thai army and foreign
ministry coordinating Thailand's actions with those of the Cambodian
government.

"Some troops will be left to protect our sovereignty and integrity,"
Wichienchote said.

The date and site of the second meeting between the two countries foreign
ministers have not yet been fixed, the spokesman said, adding that he
expected that it would be held during the third week of August.

But a Cambodian government spokesman said in Phnom Penh on Monday that
further talks between the two foreign ministers would not take place until
Cambodia forms a new government in late September following its general
election late last month. (TNA)