Bangkok Post and MCOT
The Preah Vihear dispute cannot be raised at a multilateral level without the mutual consent of both the governments of Thailand and Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Thursday.
"If Cambodia wants to raise the dispute alone at the multilateral level, this cannot be done. The consent of both countries involved is needed," said Mr Suthep.
"I think that the dispute can be solved through talks between the two countries."
Mr Suthep was responding to the Cambodian move to seek intervention by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to help resolve the border spat, to avoid any large scale armed conflict.
Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga was quoted as saying in a statement on Tuesday that "as Asean chair, Vietnam is actively consulting other Asean countries about the proposal that Asean should mediate the Preah Vihear dispute".
Media reports quoted Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan saying he expected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to meet and discuss the dispute on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem), scheduled for Brussels in October.
Mr Suthep said he had no knowledge about the matter. However, Mr Surin might have directly contacted Mr Abihisit about the matter.
He said the dispute over the contested 4.6 sq km border area around the cliff-top temple is a big issue and that it will take time to settle the problem.
Meanwhile, Mr Abhisit expressed confidence that the border dispute with Cambodia can be settled through diplomatic channels.
"If we handle the negotiations gently the situation will improve, no one will lose and the people of both countries will benefit," Mr Abhisit said on Thursday.
He said his government can resolve the rift with the Cambodian government over the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.
There were two essential needs in solving the border row. The Thai and Cambodian governments must each show their sincerity in wanting to solve the issue through peaceful means, and people from both countries must work together to ease the tension along the disputed frontier area.
"But Thai people need to show their unity first, because conflict amongst ourselves makes the problem even more difficult to solve.
"The problem is not easy to solve, but the government will do its best," the premier said.
Negotiations between the two sides must fall within the rules and regulations of the United Nations, he added.
"If Cambodia wants to raise the dispute alone at the multilateral level, this cannot be done. The consent of both countries involved is needed," said Mr Suthep.
"I think that the dispute can be solved through talks between the two countries."
Mr Suthep was responding to the Cambodian move to seek intervention by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to help resolve the border spat, to avoid any large scale armed conflict.
Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga was quoted as saying in a statement on Tuesday that "as Asean chair, Vietnam is actively consulting other Asean countries about the proposal that Asean should mediate the Preah Vihear dispute".
Media reports quoted Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan saying he expected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to meet and discuss the dispute on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem), scheduled for Brussels in October.
Mr Suthep said he had no knowledge about the matter. However, Mr Surin might have directly contacted Mr Abihisit about the matter.
He said the dispute over the contested 4.6 sq km border area around the cliff-top temple is a big issue and that it will take time to settle the problem.
Meanwhile, Mr Abhisit expressed confidence that the border dispute with Cambodia can be settled through diplomatic channels.
"If we handle the negotiations gently the situation will improve, no one will lose and the people of both countries will benefit," Mr Abhisit said on Thursday.
He said his government can resolve the rift with the Cambodian government over the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.
There were two essential needs in solving the border row. The Thai and Cambodian governments must each show their sincerity in wanting to solve the issue through peaceful means, and people from both countries must work together to ease the tension along the disputed frontier area.
"But Thai people need to show their unity first, because conflict amongst ourselves makes the problem even more difficult to solve.
"The problem is not easy to solve, but the government will do its best," the premier said.
Negotiations between the two sides must fall within the rules and regulations of the United Nations, he added.
9 comments:
Bilateral talks with Thailand is a wasting time! how many time that we have been through already? nothing works? Thailand onl flip flop with cambodia...Third party mediate must be done! why Thailand scared of international community mediation? Thailand has something to hide? huh?
This Suthep guy needs to wake up and smelt the real coffee. Since when Thailand can tell Cambodia what to do? What a laughing stock he is! any party in conflict can always request UN to intervene regardless what the other party thinks.
The Thai PM wanted Preah Vihear to benifit BOTH countries? Does it mean 50/50? Is he kidding?
No way! It should benifit only to Cambodia because Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, and the world knows that.
Don't be so smart! Cambodia is not stupit.
Cambodia is no fool. Thai cannot come in to share 50/50 on Preah Vihear and the surrounding properties that they don't own. This is beyond me !. When two parties doesn't come to agreement, that's where they UN is coming in. You don't need a consent from another party!! It's like you want to divorce your spouse but you can't because the spouse doesn't agree to it.Just go to the court and file the paper.You don't need other party's consent !! For goodness sake, the Thais are getting very ridiculous.
Vanak
PP
shut up, siem! cambodia is for it, you guys aren't! don't be so stupid, ok! this is not the dark ages anymore, ok! get with the program already!
siem really is a laughing stock! what a shame!
THIS IS CALLED A BULLSHIT TALK.IT'S
WILL KEEP TALKING AND KEEP WALKING.IT'S NOT GONNA STOP.DON'T TRUST THAI THAT THEY DON'T EAT RICE.
Its very stupid if Hun Sen agree with jointly management plans and development plans! its the samething sharing your wife with someone..?
Cambodia must stick with UN and International community mediation...this is the only way to keep Thailand under our foots!
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