ID :
170291
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 14:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/170291
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There should be no third party involvement in Thai-Cambodian issues, says Thai army chief
BANGKOK, March 23 (TNA) - Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday that he believes Thailand and Cambodia will be able to solve their bilateral problems, including unsettled border issues, by themselves without the involvement of any third party.
General Prayuth acknowledged that Thai military authorities feel it would be impractical and would probably cause more difficulty if any, third party were to take part in efforts to solve Thai-Cambodian bilateral issues. He insisted, instead, that the two country's defence ministers should talk at the next meeting of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee, which could be held in either Cambodia or Thailand. On the whole, both countries believe that such a meeting would practical and effective in addressing their bilateral problems.
Prayuth said that the next GBC meeting should also resolve firstly whether observers from Indonesia, as the current chair of ASEAN, should station themselves in a contentious area near the ancient Preah Vihear Temple along the Thai-Cambodian border in order to mediate. Such a move would depend on an official agreement between Bangkok and Phnom Penh.
General Prayuth noted that Thai military authorities would be concerned for the safety of a team of observers in the disputed area, and that such a move could make it even more difficult to settle the issues.
The Thai army chief suggested that the next Thai-Cambodian GBC meeting be held as soon as possible, saying, however, that a final decision on third party involvement remains in the hands of the Thai government and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (TNA)
General Prayuth acknowledged that Thai military authorities feel it would be impractical and would probably cause more difficulty if any, third party were to take part in efforts to solve Thai-Cambodian bilateral issues. He insisted, instead, that the two country's defence ministers should talk at the next meeting of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee, which could be held in either Cambodia or Thailand. On the whole, both countries believe that such a meeting would practical and effective in addressing their bilateral problems.
Prayuth said that the next GBC meeting should also resolve firstly whether observers from Indonesia, as the current chair of ASEAN, should station themselves in a contentious area near the ancient Preah Vihear Temple along the Thai-Cambodian border in order to mediate. Such a move would depend on an official agreement between Bangkok and Phnom Penh.
General Prayuth noted that Thai military authorities would be concerned for the safety of a team of observers in the disputed area, and that such a move could make it even more difficult to settle the issues.
The Thai army chief suggested that the next Thai-Cambodian GBC meeting be held as soon as possible, saying, however, that a final decision on third party involvement remains in the hands of the Thai government and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (TNA)
