 |
| 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) |
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.
 |
| 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) |
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. |
| Lt-Gen. Wiboonsak Neeparn (L), Thailand's Second Army Region commander, and Gen. Chea Mon, Cambodia's Fourth Army Commander, attend a press conference 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) |
| Editor: Du Guodong |
No comments:
Post a Comment