30/04/2009
By WASSANA NANUAM
Bangkok Post
SIEM REAP : Thailand and Cambodia have failed to reach an agreement to reduce troops in the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh agreed at the General Border Committee meeting which ended yesterday that they would not withdraw their troops until the dispute over the border line was settled.
The two countries have a heavy troop presence close to Preah Vihear temple, an area of 4.6 sq km claimed by both Phnom Penh and Bangkok, and WatKaew Sikha Khiri Sawara Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak, a temple in the overlapping area.
Questions over who should have sovereignty over the disputed area are being handled by the Joint Boundary Commission. "We will wait until the JBC settles the border issue, then begin talks on troop withdrawal," Gen Prawit said.
Thailand said before the meeting it would propose troop reductions and the reopening of Preah Vihear, which is also accessible from Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket.
But Gen Prawit said the issue was not high on the agenda at the meeting. "Actually, we did not talk much about the Preah Vihear issue.
"We have focused on attempts to strengthen military relations," he said.
The two countries signed an agreement setting out 17 areas of cooperation. These include border security, land border surveys and demarcation, labour issues, drug suppression, counter-terrorism, demining and maritime security.
Gen Tea Banh said Cambodia wanted to talk about cuts in troop numbers and troop withdrawals soon.
"We want everything to return to the situation as it was before July 14 last year," Gen Tea Banh said.
But the two sides first had to follow the procedures set out by the JBC.
Gen Tea Banh said he would make sure Cambodian troops positioned close to the Thai soldiers would maintain discipline. They would not be allowed to drink alcohol.
Gen Prawit led the Thai delegation made up of the supreme commander, the commanders of the three armed forces and the national police chief.
An army source said a combined 3,000 troops were based in the disputed area. About 30 troops each from Thailand and Cambodia are deployed at WatKaew Sikha Khiri Sawara Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh agreed at the General Border Committee meeting which ended yesterday that they would not withdraw their troops until the dispute over the border line was settled.
The two countries have a heavy troop presence close to Preah Vihear temple, an area of 4.6 sq km claimed by both Phnom Penh and Bangkok, and Wat
Questions over who should have sovereignty over the disputed area are being handled by the Joint Boundary Commission. "We will wait until the JBC settles the border issue, then begin talks on troop withdrawal," Gen Prawit said.
Thailand said before the meeting it would propose troop reductions and the reopening of Preah Vihear, which is also accessible from Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket.
But Gen Prawit said the issue was not high on the agenda at the meeting. "Actually, we did not talk much about the Preah Vihear issue.
"We have focused on attempts to strengthen military relations," he said.
The two countries signed an agreement setting out 17 areas of cooperation. These include border security, land border surveys and demarcation, labour issues, drug suppression, counter-terrorism, demining and maritime security.
Gen Tea Banh said Cambodia wanted to talk about cuts in troop numbers and troop withdrawals soon.
"We want everything to return to the situation as it was before July 14 last year," Gen Tea Banh said.
But the two sides first had to follow the procedures set out by the JBC.
Gen Tea Banh said he would make sure Cambodian troops positioned close to the Thai soldiers would maintain discipline. They would not be allowed to drink alcohol.
Gen Prawit led the Thai delegation made up of the supreme commander, the commanders of the three armed forces and the national police chief.
An army source said a combined 3,000 troops were based in the disputed area. About 30 troops each from Thailand and Cambodia are deployed at Wat
2 comments:
How they got the temple's name I don't know because this temple was built by Khmer and named by Khmer not to mention Preah Vichea built by Khmer king.
How is this stupid Thai commander dare to say the 4.6km2 not yet owning by any one! this stupid Thai jurk is a real theft mind set.
Mr.Tea Banh is right withdraw all you toop then talk about busseness if you wanted to be agood neigbhour.
Go home Siam!
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