ID :
183873
Mon, 05/23/2011 - 15:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/183873
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Thailand prepares to receive border observers
BANGKOK, May 23 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has convened concerned ministers to discuss preparations for the World Heritage Committee meeting, Thailand’s defence on the Preah Vihear temple case in the International Court of Justice, and the ASEAN chair’s plan to deploy Indonesian observers to disputed areas of Thailand and Cambodia.
Thai, Cambodian and Indonesian defence ministers have agreed that border observers should first enter disputed areas for two days. On the Thai side, they would survey 6-7 locations in Si Sa Ket province but would not enter the 4.6-square-kilometer disputed area adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple. After their departure, the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) would have a meeting. If the meeting led to the withdrawal of Thai and Cambodian soldiers from the 4.6-square-kilometer area, observers would then be allowed to enter it.
Mr Abhisit said Monday’s meeting resulted with all parties holding a united stance on the border issues. He said he was confident that Thailand would not lose any rights. He then said that observers would not be going in uniform and that they must have a clear idea of what their work entails and enter only after soldiers have been withdrawn from the disputed area.
The prime minister said Suwit Khunkitti, the minister of natural resources and environment, would lead a Thai delegation to Paris Monday night to meet a Cambodian delegation and attend the meeting of the World Heritage Committee. Thailand would ask the committee to postpone its consideration of the management plan for the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple that Cambodia proposed to avoid conflict. The government would base its future stance on the result of the World Heritage Committee meeting.
Asked if a change in the Thai government would impact on the decision of the World Heritage Committee, the prime minister said it would be completed before the July 3 election and that Thailand has sustained its bid to host the World Heritage Committee meeting next year. He said he hoped that there would not be any more clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border and noted that attempts to welcome observers were aimed at unearthing the facts.
Asked if Indonesia could intervene in issues between Thailand and Cambodia, the prime minister said Indonesia was well aware of its role and has acted only as a facilitator during past discussions about the frameworks of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission and the GBC. (TNA)
Thai, Cambodian and Indonesian defence ministers have agreed that border observers should first enter disputed areas for two days. On the Thai side, they would survey 6-7 locations in Si Sa Ket province but would not enter the 4.6-square-kilometer disputed area adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple. After their departure, the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) would have a meeting. If the meeting led to the withdrawal of Thai and Cambodian soldiers from the 4.6-square-kilometer area, observers would then be allowed to enter it.
Mr Abhisit said Monday’s meeting resulted with all parties holding a united stance on the border issues. He said he was confident that Thailand would not lose any rights. He then said that observers would not be going in uniform and that they must have a clear idea of what their work entails and enter only after soldiers have been withdrawn from the disputed area.
The prime minister said Suwit Khunkitti, the minister of natural resources and environment, would lead a Thai delegation to Paris Monday night to meet a Cambodian delegation and attend the meeting of the World Heritage Committee. Thailand would ask the committee to postpone its consideration of the management plan for the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple that Cambodia proposed to avoid conflict. The government would base its future stance on the result of the World Heritage Committee meeting.
Asked if a change in the Thai government would impact on the decision of the World Heritage Committee, the prime minister said it would be completed before the July 3 election and that Thailand has sustained its bid to host the World Heritage Committee meeting next year. He said he hoped that there would not be any more clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border and noted that attempts to welcome observers were aimed at unearthing the facts.
Asked if Indonesia could intervene in issues between Thailand and Cambodia, the prime minister said Indonesia was well aware of its role and has acted only as a facilitator during past discussions about the frameworks of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission and the GBC. (TNA)
