Original report from Washington
11 February 2009
A national park in Thailand near the disputed border at Preah Vihear temple opened on Tuesday, Thai media reported, in a sign officials say is promising for further negotiations.
The park had been closed since July 14, after Thai and Cambodian troops amassed along the border over a disputed strip of land near the World Heritage temple.
Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan welcomed the re-opening, reiterating Cambodia’s hopes for peaceful resolution to the standoff.
“So, that can be an additional weight to encourage negotiation and talks in reviewing the border line of demarcation,” he said.
Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh said the opening of the park showed there were “no more big obstacles” for resolving the dispute. “Some issues remain, but hopefully those will be solved.”
Both sides have agreed in principle to drawing down troops in the area.
The park may be open, but the border to Thailand at Preah Vihear temple remains closed, and local tourist companies say they still fear bringing clients to the 11th Century Hindu temple.
The park had been closed since July 14, after Thai and Cambodian troops amassed along the border over a disputed strip of land near the World Heritage temple.
Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan welcomed the re-opening, reiterating Cambodia’s hopes for peaceful resolution to the standoff.
“So, that can be an additional weight to encourage negotiation and talks in reviewing the border line of demarcation,” he said.
Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh said the opening of the park showed there were “no more big obstacles” for resolving the dispute. “Some issues remain, but hopefully those will be solved.”
Both sides have agreed in principle to drawing down troops in the area.
The park may be open, but the border to Thailand at Preah Vihear temple remains closed, and local tourist companies say they still fear bringing clients to the 11th Century Hindu temple.
4 comments:
Preah Vihear should be closed until border demarcations are finished. If people want to visit Preah Vihear they need to go through Cambodia and not Thailand. Plain and simple. Case Closed!
Cambodia is being fooled by Thai with political scheme and militarily plan. Cambodia is being weakened by its stronger neighbors for stability. Look at the border disputed for instance. Thai troops occupy the area and claim as their own sovereignty and Cambodia has a limit response in dealing with Thai on the issue. If it is the other way around, Cambodia would have been punished severely by Thai accordingly.
Thai is conducting business in the area using the temple to attract and promote tourist industry. They’d look for more alternatives to take advantage on Cambodia as much as they can before they can be brought to negotiating table. They gain a lot at this point in time and if they loose, it would be nothing much to them.
Phnom Penh regime, Hun Xen PhD from Hanoi needs to look further and clear with nothing present for danger if he needs to compete with its richer and stronger neighbors.
Otherwise, the business is being accomplished over his head before anyone can realize it.
Ah Siamese wanted to show good face to the world that they don't have trouble anymore trouble with Cambodia, while their troop still in fact occupied Cambodian territory, this is one of their new trick. Cambadian is watching you, Mr. Hun Sen should not do to much favor for Ah Buogee Siamese King.
5:22AM I do agreed with you 100%, you're the best.
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