Thai, Cambodian militaries stand ‘friendly’ but firm in border talks
CAMBODIA: Thai and Cambodian military commanders concluded talks
yesterday aimed at easing border tensions after deadly clashes last
week, but staunchly maintained their front line positions.
The senior military officials, whose talks began over a round of golf
a day earlier, met to defuse the border dispute near the ancient Preah
Vihear temple, which erupted into a firefight on October 15 that left
one Thai and three Cambodian soldiers dead.
“For the issue of Preah Vihear area, both sides vowed to exercise
maximum patience in order to avoid confrontation or more military
clashes,” the leader of the Cambodian delegation, General Chea Mon, told
reporters at the conclusion of meetings.
“Both sides will continue discussion to resolve the problem
peacefully in order to ease the tension gradually,” he added.
The Thai commanders, led by Lieutenant General Wiboonsak Neeparn,
said there was a “friendly atmosphere” with the Cambodians but insisted
Thailand’s soldiers would stand firm.
“The Thai side strongly reiterates that the position of our troop
deployments is clearly inside Thai territory,” said a statement from
Thai commanders released as the meetings began.
Cambodian Brigadier Bun Thean, a commander at the border, told AFP by
telephone that “the situation remains calm at Preah Vihear, but our
troops are still on high alert.”
Thailand’s terms of negotiation must be approved in parliament on
Tuesday before the two countries can have further border talks.
Separately, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his opposite number
Somchai Wongsawat reiterated that their nations would prevent any more
armed clashes over the dispute as they met in Beijing on the margins of
a summit between leaders of Asian and European nations.
Cambodian and Thai military officials agreed to joint border patrols
a day after last week’s temple clashes.
But Cambodian commanders have since backed out, saying such patrols
are not possible in disputed areas. Tensions between Thailand and
Cambodia flared in July when Preah Vihear was awarded United Nations
World Heritage status, rekindling long-running tensions over ownership
of land surrounding the temple.
SIEM REAP, Friday, AFP |