Hundreds of Thai and Cambodian soldiers continue to be deployed around the temple [Reuters]Friday, August 01, 2008
Al Jazeera
The standoff around the disputed Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia has shown no signs of easing.
Monks and government officials prayed at the ancient temple on Friday in the shadow of armed troops from both sides as the soldiers continued their standoff from just a few metres apart.
Thong Khon, the Cambodian tourism minister, said the 1,000 or so people had gathered "to pray to the souls of our ancestors asking for peace", referring to Khmer kings who built the temple from the 9th to 11th centuries.
"We also pray for success in our defence of our territory," he added.
Tej Bunnag, the Thai foreign minister, said on Thursday that his government did not have to move its troops because Cambodia had not shown any sign that it would withdraw its troops from the disputed area.
Since Cambodia had "not informed Thailand officially" when it would pull out its troops, it was not necessary for the Thai government to react, Tej said.
Cambodia and Thailand had agreed this week to pull back hundreds of troops from the disputed area to end the weeks-long standoff.
The agreement had come after 12 hours of talks between the foreign ministers from both countries, meeting in the northern Cambodian city of Siem Reap.
The move was to see the withdrawal of some 800 Cambodian and 400 Thai soldiers from the vicinity of Preah Vihear.
Disputed ownership
Cambodia and Thailand claim ownership to the territory surrounding the Khmer-era temple and the deployment of troops in the region had raised worries of a military confrontation.
Both sides had pledged to resolve the dispute "bilaterally and peacefully".
Hor Namhong, the Cambodian foreign minister, said they had "agreed to ask our governments to redeploy the troops" with details to be discussed later.
But neither side had set any firm deadline for the troop withdrawal from area around the temple, or a date for the next meeting.
During Monday's talks the two countries also proposed a series of steps to end the conflict including a scheme to remove landmines that litter the area so that the border can be properly demarcated.
Cambodian and Thai officials said the meeting was the first step in what is likely to be protracted negotiations to end a dispute that has simmered for decades.
A first round of talks in Bangkok failed last week after Thai and Cambodian defence ministers could not agree on which maps to use to demarcate the border.
Cambodia had sought help from the United Nations but suspended its request pending the outcome of talks with Thailand.
The current conflict focuses on an area about 5 sq km of scrubland surrounding the 11th century temple which was recently awarded World Heritage listing by Unesco, the UN cultural organisation.
Monks and government officials prayed at the ancient temple on Friday in the shadow of armed troops from both sides as the soldiers continued their standoff from just a few metres apart.
Thong Khon, the Cambodian tourism minister, said the 1,000 or so people had gathered "to pray to the souls of our ancestors asking for peace", referring to Khmer kings who built the temple from the 9th to 11th centuries.
"We also pray for success in our defence of our territory," he added.
Tej Bunnag, the Thai foreign minister, said on Thursday that his government did not have to move its troops because Cambodia had not shown any sign that it would withdraw its troops from the disputed area.
Since Cambodia had "not informed Thailand officially" when it would pull out its troops, it was not necessary for the Thai government to react, Tej said.
Cambodia and Thailand had agreed this week to pull back hundreds of troops from the disputed area to end the weeks-long standoff.
The agreement had come after 12 hours of talks between the foreign ministers from both countries, meeting in the northern Cambodian city of Siem Reap.
The move was to see the withdrawal of some 800 Cambodian and 400 Thai soldiers from the vicinity of Preah Vihear.
Disputed ownership
Cambodia and Thailand claim ownership to the territory surrounding the Khmer-era temple and the deployment of troops in the region had raised worries of a military confrontation.
Both sides had pledged to resolve the dispute "bilaterally and peacefully".
Hor Namhong, the Cambodian foreign minister, said they had "agreed to ask our governments to redeploy the troops" with details to be discussed later.
But neither side had set any firm deadline for the troop withdrawal from area around the temple, or a date for the next meeting.
During Monday's talks the two countries also proposed a series of steps to end the conflict including a scheme to remove landmines that litter the area so that the border can be properly demarcated.
Cambodian and Thai officials said the meeting was the first step in what is likely to be protracted negotiations to end a dispute that has simmered for decades.
A first round of talks in Bangkok failed last week after Thai and Cambodian defence ministers could not agree on which maps to use to demarcate the border.
Cambodia had sought help from the United Nations but suspended its request pending the outcome of talks with Thailand.
The current conflict focuses on an area about 5 sq km of scrubland surrounding the 11th century temple which was recently awarded World Heritage listing by Unesco, the UN cultural organisation.
9 comments:
Say, idiots, Khmer do not have to withdraw its troops because it's our soil we are on. What part of this don't the Thai and Khmer government doesn't understand?
Khun Thais understand that Strong man /Samdach Decho does not dare to use the Iron Fist with Khun Thais,,,, his Iron fist is only for Cambodians themselves......
Because when samdach Decho use Iron Fist Khun Thais will release all Secret info. he had done... to confront with 192/107/1904.2000/1993(Paris Agreements.... and his close friend Vietnam would not help him.. if helps Vietnam also loses...(Border Agreement-VN-Cam)....
Decho knows very well what his part has done with Khun Thais.. eand especially militry is too weak....morally and physically.....
Wichai Rungrat
Bangkok/Krung Thep Mohanokorn
Is this how the fucken Thaicong leaders behave when Cambodian leaders has shown goodwill toward the Thaicong leaders by having the so called bilateral talk which they insist!
The fucken S.O.B Thaicong leaders will always try to stab Cambodian leaders in the back! But who give a fuck about the Thaicong blind ambition! And this is Cambodian territory and Cambodian leaders don't need to give a fuck about moving anywhere! So the fucken Thaicong better get the fuck out!
Damn all these fucken arrogant Thaicong to hell!
Cambodia has given Thai government a diplomatic chance to save face in incursion of Cambodia territory. If Thai still persist, and it looks that way, that the 4.6 km land surrounding Preah Vihear belong to them, Cambodia should not waste anymore time in bilateral talks and ask the UN to adjudicate the crisis.
Thai is now using the stand-over tactic to intimidate Cambodia.
2.16 PM
"Krungthep Mahanakorn" sir
not
"Krung Thep Mohanokorn"
as Khmere accent like this
"Samdech Akka Moha...Hun Sen"
and "Kon Thai" = Thai people
not "Khun Thai"
Khun = Mr/Mrs/Miss,
use in front of name such as
"KhunWichai Rungrat"
No matter he is Thai or not,
can use this :)
Yet another political scheme, which was choreographed and orchestrated and played by Hun Sen's advisors by sending the First Lady to distract attention from all the allegations of electoral fraud.
What part of nonsense the theif Thai didn't understand??
We can't withdraw our troops cause we are on our soil.
The Thai is the one should withdraw.
Oh so, they have tell us that the home owner have to leave the house??
LOL, What a joke!
HUN SEN, please stand firm and put more troops to defense our soil.
TEVODA Chhnam CHOUT brings clear conscience and a NATIONAL SPIRIT OF UNION of being "the owner of the land", solidarity between Khmer and Khmer people in this most critical and life threatening to their nation. For them to be able to institute a sovereign peace that will free Khmer people from foreign occupation and allows them to eternally live in the sovereignty, independent, prosperity on their own ancestor's land according to their culture and tradition.
if u want to move on u have to put your past behind you.hehheheh,,
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