ID :
170476
Thu, 03/24/2011 - 10:31
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http://m.oananews.org//node/170476
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Thai DPM backs army chief’s opposition to Indonesia’s participation in GBC meeting
BANGKOK, March 24 (TNA) - The Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has backed Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha’s disapproval of the participation of Indonesia or any other third-party country at meetings of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC). Furthermore, he stated, that he does not want any alien troops to enter the disputed area which he says is pending demarcation.
Suthep said negotiations regarding the dispute should be the business of just the two countries involved. He then added, however, that bilateral negotiations were currently stalled, as the results from past meetings are yet to be approved by the Thai parliament and were generally deemed useless by Cambodia, which is now being uncooperative. Suthep insists that the parliamentary approval would not cause Thailand to lose a square inch of its territory but is essential for them to proceed towards demarcation negotiations.
The deputy prime minister then said that he is against plans to allow any alien troops in the disputed areas but that if they must, they should accompanied by troops from Thailand and Cambodia. He said that he not worried about the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which will stage a rally in front of the parliament building to protest against his proposal to the parliament on Thursday. He said protesters should be rational.
Meanwhile, confirming that military authorities are discussing the issue, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon denied that the Thai army chief was against allowing Indonesian observers’ into the disputed area but that he did want representatives of Thailand and Cambodia to hold another GBC meeting first. He confirmed that the meeting has yet to be organized and added that it is Cambodia’s turn to be host. If Cambodia is not ready though, he said, Thailand can organize it instead.
In response to the report that the Cambodian prime minister wants Indonesia to witness the meeting, Gen Prawit said he did not know what kind of a role the leader would want the third-country to take. He said negotiations regarding the border dispute should be bilateral, but that if such negotiations fail, both countries can then discuss their future approach. Gen Prawit said he hoped Cambodia would not postpone the meeting indefinitely. He said such a meeting would happen eventually but that concerned authorities had yet to reach an agreement on the manner in which it should be held. (TNA)
Suthep said negotiations regarding the dispute should be the business of just the two countries involved. He then added, however, that bilateral negotiations were currently stalled, as the results from past meetings are yet to be approved by the Thai parliament and were generally deemed useless by Cambodia, which is now being uncooperative. Suthep insists that the parliamentary approval would not cause Thailand to lose a square inch of its territory but is essential for them to proceed towards demarcation negotiations.
The deputy prime minister then said that he is against plans to allow any alien troops in the disputed areas but that if they must, they should accompanied by troops from Thailand and Cambodia. He said that he not worried about the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which will stage a rally in front of the parliament building to protest against his proposal to the parliament on Thursday. He said protesters should be rational.
Meanwhile, confirming that military authorities are discussing the issue, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon denied that the Thai army chief was against allowing Indonesian observers’ into the disputed area but that he did want representatives of Thailand and Cambodia to hold another GBC meeting first. He confirmed that the meeting has yet to be organized and added that it is Cambodia’s turn to be host. If Cambodia is not ready though, he said, Thailand can organize it instead.
In response to the report that the Cambodian prime minister wants Indonesia to witness the meeting, Gen Prawit said he did not know what kind of a role the leader would want the third-country to take. He said negotiations regarding the border dispute should be bilateral, but that if such negotiations fail, both countries can then discuss their future approach. Gen Prawit said he hoped Cambodia would not postpone the meeting indefinitely. He said such a meeting would happen eventually but that concerned authorities had yet to reach an agreement on the manner in which it should be held. (TNA)
