No immediate military withdrawal at disputed Cambodian-Thai border area

Posted by Cambodian News

July 31, 2008

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, July 29 (Xinhua) — There will be no immediate military withdrawal at the disputed Cambodian-Thai border area, although both sides considered evacuation during their foreign ministers’ talks Monday in Siem Reap, said a Cambodian official here Tuesday.

“We will mull setting up special commission for further discussion,” said the official on condition of anonymity.

“The discussion will be held in three steps, first demining work, second demarcation and finally withdrawal,” he said.

“It will need more time,” he said.

During Monday’s meeting, both sides only agreed to consider withdrawing troops from the pagoda near the Preah Vihear Temple and areas around it to avoid military tension, which was called as a victory step.

Thai foreign minister said that he will report it to his government for final decision and the Cambodian side said that the two countries will open a new meeting later.

Talks between Thailand’s armed forces chief General Boonsrang Niumpradit and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh ended a week ago without resolution. ASEAN intervention also failed the next day.

At least 1,000 soldiers have deployed since July 15 in manifestation of either sides’ claim of the 4.6 square km land at the border area.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but surrounding land remains in dispute.

Source: Xinhua