Cambodia, Thailand continue border talks

CAMBODIA: Cambodian and Thai negotiators met Tuesday for a second day of talks aimed at resolving a long-running border dispute which last month erupted into a shootout that claimed four lives.

Officials from both sides met at a hotel in Cambodia's tourist hub Siem Reap to draw up an agenda for discussions between foreign ministers from the two countries, which are scheduled for Wednesday.

The three-day talks aim to end a four-month military stand-off and begin the process of hammering out competing territorial claims.

Cambodia's lead negotiator said the two sides made a "big step" when they agreed to an agenda to defuse tensions as talks began on Monday.

Shortly after earlier talks failed last month, troops from the two countries clashed on October 15 on disputed land near Cambodia's ancient Preah Vihear temple, killing one Thai and three Cambodians.

The Cambodian-Thai border has never been fully demarcated, in part because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.

The most recent tensions began in July when the 11th century Khmer temple was awarded United Nations World Heritage status, rekindling a long-running disagreement over ownership of the surrounding land.

SIEM REAP, Tuesday, AFP