Original report from Phnom Penh
29 October 2008
Cambodian officials say they remain optimistic of a positive result in border negotiations with Thailand, following approval of the Thai parliament for talks between the two countries’ border committees.
Thai lawmakers approved negotiations over the disputed border at the root of a months-long military standoff across several provinces.
Approval of negotiations, a requirement under Thai law, will pave the way for talks scheduled Nov. 10 between the Joint Boundary Commission and Cambodia, the Bangkok Post reported Wednesday.
“It is a good signal that the Thais approved the Joint Boundary Commission negotiations,” said Koy Koung, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The parliamentary approval will provide a good chance for the two sides to further their discussions, he said.
The green light for negotiation follows an escalation of the standoff that ended in deadly violence earlier this month and talks last week that were limited.
Var Kimhong, head of the National Committee for the Resolution of Border Disputes, declined to comment Wednesday.
“With the Thai side, we should be careful,” he said.
However, Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, welcomed the go-ahead, which “shows commitment to solve the border dispute between two sides.”
He confirmed two sides would meet Nov. 10.
Several rounds of bilateral talks between the countries have failed to bring a full withdrawal of troops from their positions on the border. The military standoff began July 15, when Thai troops occupied a pagoda near Preah Vihear temple, on land claimed by both sides.
Thai lawmakers approved negotiations over the disputed border at the root of a months-long military standoff across several provinces.
Approval of negotiations, a requirement under Thai law, will pave the way for talks scheduled Nov. 10 between the Joint Boundary Commission and Cambodia, the Bangkok Post reported Wednesday.
“It is a good signal that the Thais approved the Joint Boundary Commission negotiations,” said Koy Koung, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The parliamentary approval will provide a good chance for the two sides to further their discussions, he said.
The green light for negotiation follows an escalation of the standoff that ended in deadly violence earlier this month and talks last week that were limited.
Var Kimhong, head of the National Committee for the Resolution of Border Disputes, declined to comment Wednesday.
“With the Thai side, we should be careful,” he said.
However, Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, welcomed the go-ahead, which “shows commitment to solve the border dispute between two sides.”
He confirmed two sides would meet Nov. 10.
Several rounds of bilateral talks between the countries have failed to bring a full withdrawal of troops from their positions on the border. The military standoff began July 15, when Thai troops occupied a pagoda near Preah Vihear temple, on land claimed by both sides.
4 comments:
Who give a fuck about Thaicong parliament approval of anything! The fact that the Thaicong still station their military personnel on Cambodian territory is in no way to solve anything! The Thaicong need to get the fuck out before the green light turn into red light!
The Thaicong leaders have no right to enforce the cold war map on Cambodian leaders!
Talk talk talk !!!
Good signal good signal good signal!!!
Green light green light green light!!!
Good job. Hey don't forget to eat drink sleep choy duck ouy.
khmer politicians are so naive.....the thais are playing game with them......its the thais strategy to delay and wait for this and that......when they sent troops into cambodia did they wait for the parliament approval? rubbish.....it's all rubbish.
Var Kimhong - “With the Thai side, we should be careful,”
This is a good sign that this guy, Va Kimhong have a bit better brain than the rest who are so fucking easy to lure.
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