Cambodian, Thai border committees ink agreement to ease border tension
www.chinaview.cn 2008-10-24 16:53:49
SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Oct. 24 (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.
Editor: Du Guodong
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