Khieu Kanharith: Ministerial meeting will end military confrontation

A second two-day meeting between the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers will be held today in Hua Hin, Thailand to continue to discuss unresolved issues raised in their first meeting and review the new situation regarding the disputed border areas where the two sides have recently agreed to reduce their military presence. Khieu Kanharith, minister of information and government spokesman, granted an interview yesterday with Neth Pheaktra, editor-in-chief of The Mekong Times, to talk about the meeting.

What is on the agenda for the meeting between the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers? How optimistic is Cambodia about a solution?

The meeting might identify detailed points of measures to prevent a conflict between Cambodia and Thailand along the border. It is true that we have the mechanism to solve the problem already, but we will still implement a solution. I would like to stress that the Preah Vihear temple issue was caused by Thai opposition groups, but not the Thai government. Cambodia hopes that the meeting this time will normalize the situation along the border like the situation before July 15. Meanwhile, we have been talking about planting border markers with Thailand. We have talked about planting 40 border markers in addition to a total of 73 border markers planted along the Cambodian-Thai border of more than 800 km. We will put aside any border area where the situation is tense, and if we can not solve it, we will take it up with the UN. Hence, we have to discuss any point which can be resolved. To return the situation to normal, like before July 15, both sides will have to talk about the reduction of their military presence, but we are still negotiating border issues.

Is the government still continuing to call for calm?

Yes. In Thailand, we see that when a demonstration breaks out that it is the trick of the opposition groups. Now, the opposition in Cambodia also follows the example of Thai opposition groups while the government is trying to solve the problem. The opposition can not help solve anything, but instead they criticize Cambodians and the Cambodian government. This does not produce any benefit.

Some Cambodians urge talks at the UN rather than bilateral talks. What is your comment?

They do not understand the international situation. If we take up the issue with the UN at this time, how will we solve it? The UN cannot offer solutions … just recommendations. Their recommendation is that Cambodia and Thailand have to try to hold bilateral talks. If the body just offers recommendations, why do we need the UN to lecture us? Why don’t we go and talk [ourselves]? Cambodia has many scholars and does not need others to lecture us …As a final resort, we can go to the UN, but we have to understand that the UN is not the one who solves the problem, but just gives recommendations through the UN Security Council where we will be asked to solve the problem bilaterally. Hence, some opposition groups do not understand the way to lead the country and should listen to us to some extent.

After the ministerial meeting of Aug 18-19 ends, Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, head of the Cambodian delegation to the talks, will meet with the Thai King. Why?

Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong will meet with the Thai King just to make a normal report. As we know, all Thai troops are under the order of the Thai King.