ID :
173813
Thu, 04/07/2011 - 13:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/173813
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Thai PM: Postponement of GBC not posing any problem
BANGKOK, April 7 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says that the postponement of the next Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting is not posing any problem.
The GBC, a forum of Thai-Cambodian military officers, and the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), consisting of foreign ministers of both countries, were earlier scheduled to take place in Indonesia later this month. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has proposed that Indonesia, the current ASEAN chair, observe negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia after their deadly border clashes early this year. But due to the Thai military’s objection to hold a meeting in a third country, the Thai-Cambodian GBC has been postponed indefinitely.
Thai Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan acknowledged that the planned meeting in Bogor, Indonesia, could not take place because the GBC secretariat has not set up the agenda--which needs to be approved by the Thai parliament. General Prawit also urged Phnom Penh to host the bilateral meetings or leave the task for Thailand to hold the talks.
Abhisit insisted that the two negotiations could be held separately and the postponement of the next GBC meeting would not affect the talks.
Meanwhile, ASEAN has also proposed to send Indonesian observers to a disputed area along the Thai-Cambodian border, but the move needs approvals of both neighboring countries.
The Thai premier reiterated that Thailand welcomed observers, but they could not perforce a peace-keeping duty, noting that the scope of the proposed observation, permissible areas and other details need to be specified. (TNA)
The GBC, a forum of Thai-Cambodian military officers, and the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), consisting of foreign ministers of both countries, were earlier scheduled to take place in Indonesia later this month. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has proposed that Indonesia, the current ASEAN chair, observe negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia after their deadly border clashes early this year. But due to the Thai military’s objection to hold a meeting in a third country, the Thai-Cambodian GBC has been postponed indefinitely.
Thai Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan acknowledged that the planned meeting in Bogor, Indonesia, could not take place because the GBC secretariat has not set up the agenda--which needs to be approved by the Thai parliament. General Prawit also urged Phnom Penh to host the bilateral meetings or leave the task for Thailand to hold the talks.
Abhisit insisted that the two negotiations could be held separately and the postponement of the next GBC meeting would not affect the talks.
Meanwhile, ASEAN has also proposed to send Indonesian observers to a disputed area along the Thai-Cambodian border, but the move needs approvals of both neighboring countries.
The Thai premier reiterated that Thailand welcomed observers, but they could not perforce a peace-keeping duty, noting that the scope of the proposed observation, permissible areas and other details need to be specified. (TNA)
