[Thai defense minister] Yutthasak to visit Cambodia

30/08/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said on Monday he will soon visit Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh for informal talks to lay the groundwork for the long delayed General Border Committee (GBC) meeting.

Gen Yutthasak said both Thailand and Cambodia were satisfied with the results of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima on Aug 25, but the two sides had not reached any agreement.

Decisions were pending approval from the cabinet.

The Defence Ministry would compile a list of matters discussed at the RBC meeting and submit proposals to the National Security Council for consideration.

Border meeting completed

Thursday, 25 August 2011
Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post

Bilateral talks between Cambodia and Thailand ended yesterday, in the first set of official discussions to take place since Yingluck Shinawatra was elected Thai Prime Minister.

Although no official result had been recorded from the Regional Border Commission as of last night, according to Cambodia defence spokesman Chum Socheat, the Bangkok Post reported Thailand’s second Army Region Commander Thawatchai Samutsakorn as saying that both countries had agreed to step up security force cooperation along the border.

The Phnom Penh Post could not verify the report last night. But on the agenda of the meeting – which took place in Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province – were issues including illegal border crossings, logging, drugs trafficking and counter terrorism, Chum Socheat said.

Thailand, Cambodia agree to boost border security cooperation

MCOT

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Aug 24 -- Thailand and Cambodia agreed Wednesday at the Thai-Cambodian Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting to boost cooperation between the police and military of the two countries to ensure peace along border.

The 15th RBC meeting in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima was co-chaired by Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon, Second Region Army Area commander responsible for security affairs in Thailand’s northeastern region, and Cambodia’s Fourth Army commander Lt-Gen Chea Mon.

Gen Thawatchai told reporters after the first of the two-day meeting that both parties had reached an unofficial conclusion to step up cooperation between police and military of the two countries to provide security at the border, patrol the border area and crack down on illicit drugs in crossborder trafficking.

They have also agreed to develop the quality of life of local residents, support public health, agriculture, tourism, education, tradition and to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

Thai-Cambodian regional border meeting begins

BANGKOK, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Thai-Cambodian Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting was kicked off on Wednesday at a hotel in Thailand's northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province to discuss several issues including troop withdrawal.

The meeting was co-chaired by Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon, Thailand's Second Region Army commander, and Cambodia's Fourth Region Army commander Lt-Gen Chea Mon together with Deputy Defense Minister Neang Phat.

Among the 15 agenda, troop withdrawal from the disputed area around Preah Vihear Temple would be raised for discussion.

Thailand, Cambodia begin border meeting

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Aug 24 (MCOT online news) – The Thai-Cambodian Regional Border Committee (RBC) on Wednesday began meeting in Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, discussing 15 issues including troop withdrawal from the disputed border area.

The 15th RBC meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima is being co-chaired by Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon, Second Region Army commander responsible for security affairs in Thailand’s northeastern region, and Cambodia’s Fourth Army commander Lt-Gen Chea Mon.

Gen Thawatchai said that the meeting showed good cooperation and goodwill between the two neighbouring countries.

On this occasion, Cambodian representatives also congratulated the new Thai government which assumed office following the July 3 general election.

Thailand, Cambodia to hold operational level talks in July

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, June 26 (TNA) - Thailand and Cambodia will hold a regional border affairs meeting in Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima in July to discuss border problems, a senior Thai military official on Friday.

Lt-Gen. Viboonsak Neepan, Thailand's Second Army Region commander, overseeing the northeastern region which borders Cambodia, said he had fruitful talks with Lt-Gen. Chea Mon, Commander of Cambodia's 4th Military Region on Thursday.

Gen. Viboonsak said the parties agreed to hold their periodic Regional Border Meeting (RBC) in Nakhon Ratchasima to discuss unresolved border problems and troop deployments along the Thai-Cambodian border near the historic Preah Vihear temple, as it is feared that troop reinforcements of both countries may cause misunderstanding which may lead to clashes.

The Thai commander also insisted that despite the latest tensions at the border, both Thai and Cambodia's operational level officials can still meet regularly in order to understand each other to avoid confrontation.

Gen. Viboonsak added that he regularly reports any border difficulties to army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia arose again and troop reinforcements from both countries took place near Preah Vihear after Thailand expressed its opposition to Cambodia's unilateral listing of the temple as a World Heritage Site to the World Heritage body and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

UNESCO agreed to register Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site under the aegis of Cambodia in July last year.

Thailand had proposed that the temple be registered jointly as a World Heritage Site by both countries, not unilaterally by Cambodia.

In 1962 the International Court of Justice ruled that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, but the most accessible entrance begins at the foot of a mountain in Thailand, and both sides claim overlapping portions of the surrounding territory.

Armed clashes between the two countries’ military forces have occurred periodically since then, near the temple, especially in a 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area.

Both Sides Vow Restraint of Border Violence

Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat, right, walks with his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, after a bilateral meeting during the Asia-Europe Meeting in Beijing.

By Reporters, VOA Khmer
Original reports from Cambodia
24 October 2008

Click here to listen to the Khmer audio program

The prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia agreed during talks in Beijing Friday to prevent further border violence between soldiers on both sides, while military commanders in Siem Reap failed to reach an agreement on withdrawal.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said Friday the results from Beijing and Siem Reap were similar.

“Both sides agreed to avoid conflict and maintain peace,” he said, adding that he hoped the countries would move away from armed confrontation and toward more friendly talks.

Prime Minsiter Hun Sen met with his Thai counterpart, Somchai Wongsawat, Friday morning, on the sidelines of an Asia-Europe Meeting.

Both leaders agreed to avoid further conflicts in a months-long border dispute, following a flash of violence last week in three gun battles near Preah Vihear temple, leading to the death of at least three Cambodian soldiers and one Thai.

"The two sides have to advise our troops not to have confrontations any longer," Agence France-Presse quoted Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat saying after the prime ministers spoke.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said both sides were “moving in a good track,” AFP reported.

In Siem Reap, commanders for Cambodia’s Military Region 4 and Thailand’s Military Region 2 met for the 11th round of Regional Border Committee talks.

“Both sides agreed to exercise utmost restraint in order to avoid confrontation or armed clashes, as have previously occurred,” the Thai Regional Border Committee said in a statement following Friday’s talks.

Neither meeting produced a substantial timetable for the withdrawal of heavily armed troops that have been deployed along the border since July.

Any negotiation on disputed border land had to meet the approval of Thailand’s parliament, which was scheduled to deliberate on the issues Oct. 28, the committee said. “Therefore, it was hoped that negotiation will take place soon.”

Thun Saray, president of Adhoc, welcomed the negotiations, but he appealed to the Thai side to respect the results of the meetings. Even though both sides have promised to avoid confrontation, Thailand continues to build up troops along the border, he said.

Somchai, Hun Sen agree to talks, restraint [-Only more talks are promised, nothin else]

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, left, smiles as he shakes hands with Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Sompong Amornvivat, during the seventh Asia-Europe Summit (Asem) in Beijing yesterday. The border dispute was brought up for discussion.

Saturday October 25, 2008
ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT and AFP
Bangkok Post

THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER ROW

BEIJING : The Thai and Cambodian leaders yesterday agreed to avert any future armed conflicts along the border by using bilateral talks to solve problems.

The Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) will hold a meeting within two weeks after the Thai parliament endorses a temporary framework for the negotiations next Tuesday.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) in Beijing that the border clash last week was unplanned and from now on the two sides would advise their troops to show restraint and not confront each other, Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat said yesterday.

He said Hun Sen added that the two countries would try to prevent any further armed clashes and would use existing mechanisms in order to deal with their boundary disputes.

The Cambodian leader also said the two sides would promote and improve cooperation on the regional, international and bilateral fronts.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Hun Sen told Mr Somchai that Thailand was not only a neighbour, but also a friend.

In separate talks between the Thai and Cambodian military commanders in Siem Reap yesterday, which are aimed at defusing tensions near the ancient Preah Vihear temple that erupted into a firefight on Oct 15, leaving one Thai and three Cambodian soldiers dead, both sides agreed to be more patient and avoid another clash.

"For the issue of the Preah Vihear area, both sides vowed to exercise maximum patience in order to avoid confrontation or more military clashes," the leader of the Cambodian delegation, General Chea Mon, told reporters after the meeting.

"Both sides will continue discussions on resolving the problem peacefully to ease the tension gradually," he said.

The Thai commanders, led by Lt-Gen Wiboonsak Neeparn, the Second Army commander, said there was a "friendly atmosphere" with the Cambodians, but insisted that Thailand's soldiers would stand firm.

"The Thai side strongly reiterates that the position of our troop deployments is clearly inside Thai territory," said a statement from Thai commanders released as the meetings started.

Cambodian, Thai border committees ink agreement to ease border tension

Lt-Gen. Wiboonsak Neeparn (2nd L, front), Thailand's Second Army Region commander, and Gen. Chea Mon (2nd R, front), Cambodia's Fourth Army Commander, sign on an agreement after the 11th annual meeting of the Regional Border Committee between the Fourth Military Region of Cambodia and the Second Army Region of Thailand held in Siem Reap, Oct. 24, 2008. The two countries made an agreement to keep the utmost restraint on the disputed Preah Vihear temple, and to resume the Ta Krapey Temple and Ta Moane Temple as they were before Jul. 25, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)
Lt-Gen. Wiboonsak Neeparn (L), Thailand's Second Army Region commander, shakes hands with Gen. Chea Mon, Cambodia's Fourth Army Commander, after signing on an agreement on the result of the 11th annual meeting of the Regional Border Committee between the Fourth Military Region of Cambodia and the Second Army Region of Thailand held in Siem Reap, Oct. 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

October 24, 2008
Xinhua

Regional border committees of Cambodia and Thailand here on Friday signed an agreement to ease their months-long tension along the border near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear Temple.

The agreement was reached during the 11th annual meeting of the regional border committees (RBC) attended by officers from the fourth military region of Cambodia and the second army area of Thailand.

According to the deal, Thailand and Cambodia will cooperate to realize peace at the border area and restore the region to its prior situation, General Chea Man, chairman of Cambodian RBC and commander of the fourth military region of Cambodia, told reporters at a press conference.

At the area near the Preah Vihear Temple, both sides are determined to keep the utmost restraint in order to avoid confrontation or armed clash as previously occurred, he said.

The Thai side also made the same promise in its press release issued to reporters here on Friday upon the conclusion of the two-day meeting.

On Oct. 15, a gunfire exchange between both troops near the temple killed two Cambodian soldiers and one Thai trooper.

"Both sides agreed to cooperate with equality and we respect the sovereignty and border of each other," said Chea Man.

"We will continue the talks to solve the issue with peaceful deals. We have to exchange information, protect the environment along the border, take action against crimes, make sure of economic development along the border, and guarantee easiness for the people to have a proper living standard," he said.

Meanwhile, Lt. General Wiboonsak Neeparn, chairman of the Thai RBC and commanding general of the second army area of Thailand, told reporters that the Thai side has affirmed its readiness to coordinate with the Cambodian side to ensure peace, security and tranquility along the Thai-Cambodia border.

In a statement issued here on Friday after that meeting ended, the Thai military said it has achieved its objectives, namely "to develop a good understanding and relationship between the armed forces with a view to easing tension in the border areas."

It said the meeting has discussed how to deal with the narcotics trade, among other things.

Under the Thai constitution, any agreement reached by the government with another state needs parliamentary approval. The army statement said Oct. 28 has been earmarked for parliament to debate border matters, a date mentioned by Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat in Beijing.

On Friday in Beijing, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart Somchai Wongsawat reached consensus on the sidelines of the ASEM Summit to avoid future clashes.

"The two sides have to advise our troops not to have confrontations any longer," Sompong told reporters.

Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong, standing alongside Sompong, echoed his counterpart, describing the premiers' talks as "very good, very friendly."

In July, tensions ran high after the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was awarded world heritage status by UNESCO, angering nationalists in Thailand who still claim ownership of the site.

The tension later turned into a military stalemate, in which upto 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for several weeks.

In early October, at least one Cambodian soldier and two Thai troops were wounded during sporadic exchange of gunfire and two other Thai soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on a landmine at the border area, the report said.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice decided that the Preah Vihear Temple and its surrounding area belong to Cambodia.

Thai, Cambodian armies agree to ease border tensions

Cambodian LTG Chea Morn (right) and his Thai counterpart Wiboonsak Neeparn at a meeting in Siem Reap province. Thai and Cambodian military commanders have concluded talks aimed at easing border tensions after deadly clashes last week, but staunchly maintained their front line positions. (AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy)

Oct 24, 2008
DPA

Bangkok - Army officers representing Thailand and Cambodia on Friday agreed to ease border tensions around the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, the site of a clash that claimed three lives earlier this month, state news reports said.

The tentative agreement between the two militaries was reached at the Thai-Cambodian Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting held in the Cambodian northwestern province of Siem Reap, reported the Thai News Agency (TNA).

Led by Thailand's Second Army Region commander Lieutenant General Wiboonsak Neepal and his Cambodian counterpart Fourth Army commander Lieutenant General Chea Mon, the two sides agreed to ease tensions 'to create peace and stability for people of the two countries living along the border,' said the TNA.

The negotiations, however, did not cover reducing the number of troops or reducing or eliminating heavy weapons at the border.

On October 15 Thai and Cambodian troops briefly clashed in a disputed zone near the Preah Vihear temple, leaving two Cambodians dead and several Thais wounded, one of whom died of his injuries in hospital.

The shootout occurred about 3 kilometres away from Phreah Vihear, an 11th century Hindu temple that has been the cause of many border disputes between the two neighbouring countries for almost five decades.

A similar skirmish occurred at the same site on October 3 that left two Thai soldiers and one Cambodian wounded. Thailand issued an official protest to the Cambodian government over the alleged border incursion.

Thailand and Cambodia nearly came to blows over the Preah Vihear temple in July, shortly after UNESCO named the ancient Hindu temple a World Heritage Site despite Thai objections.

The temple, the object of disputed claims between Thailand and Cambodia since the 1950s, was granted to Cambodia by a ruling of the International Court of Justice in 1962.

But land adjacent to the temple compound, including its main entrance on the Thai side, has been claimed by both countries.

Both sides beefed up their forces in the area, situated about 400 kilometres north-east of Bangkok, after some ultra-nationalist Thais crossed into the disputed zone in a protest against the UNESCO ruling.

The border conflict was calmed in August when both sides agreed to settle the matter through bilateral talks held by a joint border committee.

The talks were hampered by repeated claims of incursions into Cambodian territory and by Thailand's chaotic domestic political situation.

Thailand and Cambodia vow peace

The dispute has stirred intense nationalist passions on both sides

Friday, 24 October 2008
BBC News

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to resolve a border dispute peacefully "for the sake of our neighbourliness".

Bilateral talks on the issue were held on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe summit (Asem) in Beijing.

The demarcation of land around Preah Vihear temple on the countries' border has never been clearly settled.

Tensions have recently been rekindled, and last week erupted into open combat. Three Cambodian and one Thai soldier died in exchanges of fire.

'Uncontrollable'

Foreign ministers from the two countries spoke to reporters after the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart, Somchai Wongsawat, held talks earlier on Friday.

"We are not just neighbours, we are very good friends indeed," Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat said.

"His Excellency Hun Sen said the incident that already happened is not the kind that both countries want. It happened instantly. That was uncontrollable at the time."

Mr Sompong added that the two sides had been advised to avoid confrontation.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said: "What happened between us we have to solve peacefully, amicably, for the sake of our neighbourliness."

The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally.

The dispute centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.

An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.

'No quick resolution'

Meanwhile, senior military officials echoed the pledge to reduce tensions as they met in Siem Reap in northern Cambodia.

Both are sides are "committed to exercising their utmost restraint to avoid confrontation or armed clashes", said Cambodian regional army commander Maj Gen Chea Mon, according to AP news agency.

The two sides had agreed to joint border patrols to defuse tensions, but according to AFP news agency these have not materialised.

The BBC's Guy De Launey, in Beijing for the Asem summit, cautions that Thailand's domestic political situation could prove a distraction - and he says Cambodia has indicated it is not expecting a swift resolution.

The issue stirs intense nationalist passions on both sides, and an army recruitment drive in border areas has been over-subscribed, he adds.

Thailand, Cambodia to step up efforts to fix border

Friday, October 24, 2008
By Ian Ransom

BEIJING (Reuters) - Thailand and Cambodia struck a reconciliatory note on Friday, putting recent clashes along their disputed border behind them and agreeing to breathe fresh life into long-standing efforts to settle the problem for good.

The leaders of the two Southeast Asian governments met on the sidelines of an Asia-Europe summit in Beijing focused on the global economic crisis.

"We are not just neighbors, we are very good friends indeed," Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat told reporters after the meeting between Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen.

"His Excellency Hun Sen said the incident that already happened is not the kind that both countries want. It happened instantly. That was uncontrollable at the time. But when things come to this point, the two sides have to advise our troops not to have confrontation any longer."

A Thai soldier died on Tuesday from wounds sustained in the latest flare-up on October 15 near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both countries. Three Cambodian soldiers were also killed.

The confrontation was the most serious border clash in years, although tensions have now eased.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters the two sides had agreed to use "existing mechanisms" to solve the border problem.

He pointed to talks this week between military commanders from the two countries to demonstrate progress, adding: "Already, we have had very good results over this question."

MILITARY MEETING

The senior military officials met in Siem Reap, site of Cambodia's Angkor temple, to discuss the fighting and other border issues. Customs and immigration officials from the two sides also attended.

In a statement on Friday after that meeting ended, the Thai military said it had achieved its objectives, namely "to develop a good understanding and relationship between the armed forces with a view to easing tension in the border areas."

It said the meeting had discussed how to deal with the narcotics trade, among other things.

Under the Thai constitution, any agreement reached by the government with another state needs parliamentary approval. The army statement said October 28 had been earmarked for parliament to debate border matters, a date mentioned by Sompong in Beijing.

Sompong also said the two countries had to work together to demine the border area.

Cambodia's foreign ministry urged Thailand to stick to existing deals on the border issue, including agreement on where certain parts of the frontier lie and a framework to demarcate the rest of border.

"Cambodia remains fully committed to not encroaching on any inch of Thai territory and would be very pleased if Thailand responded with the same commitment," it said in a statement sent to Thailand's foreign ministry and seen by Reuters on Friday.

The hilltop Preah Vihear temple has stirred nationalist passions in both countries for generations.

The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962, a ruling that has rankled in Thailand ever since. It did not determine the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the Hindu ruins.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Beijing and Ek Madra in Phnom Penh; Writing by Alan Raybould; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

China: Thailand, Cambodia Resolve To Settle Border Feud

2008-10-24
AP

BEIJING, CHINA: The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia resolved Friday (24 Oct) to settle their countries' border dispute peacefully, foreign ministers from the two nations said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart Somchai Wongsawat discussed the issue during bilateral talks early Friday on the sidelines of a 43-nation Asian-European summit in China's capital, Beijing.

Fighting near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple last week killed two Cambodians and triggered fears of a broader conflict, and Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said the leaders were determined to prevent similar conflicts breaking out.

"What happened between us we have to solve peacefully, amicably, for the sake of our neighborliness," Hor Namhong said.

Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat said it was imperative that the sides order their troops not to provoke or engage in fighting.

Sompong said last week's battle "happened instantly and was uncontrollable at that time," but he added that that now "the two sides must really advise our troops on each side not to have a confrontation any longer."

The Beijing meeting came as Thai and Cambodian military officials were holding talks in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap aimed at defusing tensions along the border.

Thai Lt. Gen. Wiboonsak Neeparn said in a statement that both sides plan on exercising restraint to prevent more violence.

Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong says Cambodia wants both sides to redeploy their troops from the area to reduce tension.

The border talks ended with the two sides reiterating pledges to prevent more violence.

Thailand and Cambodia "are committed to exercising their utmost restraint to avoid confrontation or armed clashes," Cambodian regional army commander Maj. Gen. Chea Mon said.

Last week's fighting was the latest flare-up a recently revived dispute over a stretch of jungle near the Preah Vihear temple. The World Court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but sovereignty over surrounding land has never been clearly resolved.

Thai, Cambodian militaries stand "friendly" but firm in border talks

24 October 2008
AFP

SIEM REAP: Thai military commanders insisted Friday that talks with their Cambodian counterparts were easing border tensions after deadly clashes last week, but refused to back down from front line positions.

The senior military officials, whose talks began over a round of golf a day earlier, met to defuse the border dispute near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which erupted into a firefight on October 15 that left one Thai and three Cambodian soldiers dead.

The Thai commanders, led by Lieutenant General Wiboonsak Neeparn, said there was a "friendly atmosphere" with the Cambodians but insisted Thailand's soldiers would stand firm.

"The Thai side strongly reiterates that the position of our troop deployments is clearly inside Thai territory," said a statement from Thai commanders released as the Friday meetings began.

Thailand's terms of negotiation must be approved in parliament on Tuesday before the two countries can further border talks.

Separately, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his opposite number Somchai Wongsawat repeated statements that their nations would prevent any more armed clashes over the dispute as they met Friday in Beijing on the margins of a summit between leaders of Asian and European nations.

Cambodian and Thai military officials agreed to joint border patrols a day after last week's clashes between soldiers stationed on disputed land near the temple, which belongs to Cambodia.

But Cambodian commanders have since backed out, saying such patrols are not possible in disputed areas.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia flared in July when Preah Vihear was awarded United Nations World Heritage status, rekindling long-running tensions over ownership of land surrounding the temple.

Thai, Cambodian officials negotiate border dispute

Friday, October 24, 2008
The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Thai and Cambodian military officials are holding talks aimed at defusing tensions along the border that erupted into a deadly gunbattle last week.

The fight near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple killed two Cambodians and triggered fears of a broader conflict.

Military officials from both sides met Friday in Siem Reap in Cambodia.

Thai Lt. Gen. Wiboonsak Neeparn said in a statement that both sides plan on exercising restraint to prevent more violence.

Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong says Cambodia wants both sides to redeploy their troops from the area to reduce tension.

The prime ministers of the two countries were meeting Friday on the sidelines of a summit in China to discuss the conflict.

Bilateral talks about ... nothing (Thai delegates has no competency to discuss about border issue)

Thai regional army commander Wiboonsak Neeparn (R) walks with his Cambodian counterpart General Chea Morn (L), commander of Cambodia's 4th military region, before a meeting in a hotel in Siem Reap October 24, 2008. REUTERS /Chor Sokunthea
Thai regional army commander Wiboonsak Neeparn (R) talks with his Cambodian counterpart, General Chea Morn (L), Cambodia general commander of 4th region, before attending the 11th meeting of regional border committee between the 4th military region of Cambodia and the 2rd Army area of Thailand at a hotel in Siem Reap province, 320 km (199 miles) north of Phnom Penh, October 24, 2008. REUTERS /Chor Sokunthea
Thai regional army commander Wiboonsak Neeparn (4th R) attends the 11th meeting of regional border committee between the 4th military region of Cambodia and the 2rd Army area of Thailand at a hotel in Siem Reap province, 320 km (199 miles) north of Phnom Penh, October 24, 2008. REUTERS /Chor Sokunthea
Thai regional army commander Wiboonsak Neeparn attends the 11th meeting of regional border committee between the 4th military region of Cambodia and the 2rd Army area of Thailand, in a hotel in Siem Reap, October 24, 2008. REUTERS /Chor Sokunthea

Thai, Cambodia military leaders discuss border dispute [-Another failed and useless discussion?]

October 24, 2008
ABC Radio Australia

Cambodia and Thailand are continuing negotiations aimed at defusing the confrontation over their border near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

A meeting of mid-level officials in Cambodia's northwest town of Siem Reap yesterday has prepared the way for talks between senior commanders on tensions that erupted into deadly clashes last week.

In a spot of golf diplomacy Cambodia's defence minister, Tea Banh, played a round of golf with Thai military men.

He says the initial discussions have already resolved a lot of problems and he expects the next stage will ease the situation.

Officials refused to reveal the specific results of the negotiations so far.

Separately, Cambodia's prime minister, Hun Sen, and his Thai counterpart, Somchai Wongsawat, are scheduled to meet in Beijing on the margins of a summit between leaders of Asian and European nations.

Mr Somchai says he wants peace restored between the neighbours as soon as possible.

Failure of the Siem Reap talk [-Thai officials declared themselves "INCOMPETENT" on border issues]

23 Oct 2008
By Ung Chamroeun in Siem Reap
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

Military officials participated in the meeting for border cooperation on 23 October, however, Thai officials declared themselves “incompetent” when the border issues came up.

General Chea Morn, responsible for Cambodian army region 4, and General Wiboonsak Neeparn, the representative of the Thai military authorities for zone 2, met each other on Thursday 23 October in Siem Reap.

The meeting of the representatives of the border zones (Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Kampong Thom for Cambodia; Surin, Buriram, Ubon and Si Sa Ket for Thailand) takes place at regular interval to discuss about economy and security.

“When we started talking about the border issue, at about 3:00 PM, the Thai party put an end to the meeting, saying that it did not have the competency to discuss this issue,” a participant of the meeting told “Cambodge Soir Hebdo.”

“Normally, during these meetings, we discuss mainly about trade and tourism, but this time, we will focus on border tension,” Neang Phath, the secretary of state for the Ministry of Defense, said in the morning.

This is the 11th meeting of this type, participants will meet again on Friday 24 October, but the agenda has not been established yet.

Hun Sen and Somchai Wongsawat should be talking about the Preah Vihear issue on Friday 24 October in Beijing as well. The two men travelled there for the ASEAN-European summit meeting.

Golf diplomacy to ease Thai-Camobdia border dispute

Thursday, October 23, 2008

SIEM REAP, Cambodia (AFP) — Cambodia's defence minister teed off with Thai military officials Thursday in a spot of golf diplomacy ahead of talks aimed at resolving a fierce border dispute.

A meeting of mid-level officials in Cambodia's northwest tourist hub Siem Reap was meant to pave the way for substantive talks on Friday between senior commanders on tensions that erupted into deadly clashes last week.

While their juniors met, Cambodian defence minister Tea Banh arrived a day early for a round of golf with Thai military men.

"The discussion today has resolved a lot of problems," Tea Banh told AFP on his way to the links.

"The meeting (Friday) will clearly ease the situation more because we will discuss ways to make it better."

The talks are aimed at resolving a simmering territorial dispute over land near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which broke into a firefight a week ago that left one Thai and three Cambodian soldiers dead.

General Neang Phat, secretary of state at Cambodia's defence ministry, told reporters earlier Thursday that he thought commanders would reach an agreement to reduce the number of soldiers deployed in disputed territory.

"We will also talk about how to avoid military confrontation and to continue re-deploying the troops," he said.

Separately, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai opposite number Somchai Wongsawat are scheduled to meet Friday in Beijing on the margins of a summit between leaders of Asian and European nations.

Somchai told reporters Thursday that he wanted peace restored between the neighbours "as soon as possible."

"My meeting with Hun Sen is on the basis that we are close neighbouring countries that can never separate," Somchai said.

"We will have a good and amicable relationship with each other. If there is a problem, we will solve it with peaceful measures... If something needs to be done, we must do it to bring peace and order back as soon as possible."

Governors of four Cambodian and four Thai provinces affected by the border dispute also met Thursday in Siem Reap to discuss how to help local interests during the military standoff.

"The meeting (of governors) focused on cooperation of all sectors including trade and tourism," Siem Reap governor Sou Phirin told reporters.

"We want people on both sides to believe there is no armed conflict."

Cambodian and Thai military officials agreed to joint border patrols a day after last week's clashes between soldiers stationed on disputed land near the temple, which belongs to Cambodia.

But Cambodian commanders have since backed out, saying such patrols are not possible in disputed areas.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia flared in July when Preah Vihear was awarded United Nations World Heritage status, rekindling long-running tensions over ownership of land surrounding the temple.

Thai-Cambodian Regional Border Committee meeting in Siem Reap

Thai regional army commander Wiboonsak Neeparn (front) arrives at a hotel to attend the 11th meeting of regional border committee between the 4th military region of Cambodia and the 2rd Army area of Thailand, in Siem Reap province, 320 km (199 miles) north of Phnom Penh, October 23, 2008. REUTERS /Chor Sokunthea
Cambodian major general Chea Morn (left) shakes hands with his Thai counterpart Wiboonsak Neeparn in Siem Reap province on October 23. The Thai and Cambodian military officials have met in an attempt to defuse tensions over a border dispute that briefly erupted into deadly clashes last week. (AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy)
Thai regional army commander Wiboonsak Neeparn (R) greets his Cambodian counterpart, General Chea Morn, Cambodia's commander of 4th military region, upon their arrival at a hotel to attend the 11th meeting of regional border committee between the 4th military region of Cambodia and the 2nd Army area of Thailand, in Siem Reap province, 320 km (198 miles) north of Phnom Penh, October 23, 2008. REUTERS /Chor Sokunthea
Thai regional army commander Wiboonsak Neeparn (L) greets his Cambodian counterpart, General Chea Morn, Cambodia's general commander of the 4th military region, upon their arrival at a hotel to attend the 11th meeting of regional border committee between the 4th military region of Cambodia and the 2rd Army area of Thailand, in Siem Reap province, 320 km (199 miles) north of Phnom Penh, October 23, 2008. REUTERS /Chor Sokunthea