Written by DAP NEWS
Cambodian Military Commander-in-chief Pol Saroeun (R) and his Thai counterpart Songkiti Jaggabatara, agreed to boost cooperation in development of border areas to improve living standards of the citizens of both countries. Cambodian troop deployments were said to have been scaled back.
In a remarkable defusing of the tense Cambodia-Thai military standoff around Cambodia’s Preah Vihear Temple, army chiefs on Monday agreed to boost cooperation in development of border areas to improve living standards of the citizens of both countries. Cambodian troop deployments were said to have been scaled back.
A meeting between two senior army commander chiefs came following a two-day official visit from Songkiti Jaggabatara, supreme commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, to Cambodia. He met with Pol Saroeun, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Chief Commander in Chief, in Phnom Penh.
Songkiti Jaggabatara said he wanted to strengthen the relationship between the two parties, and to show solidarity to international community. “We solve all matters in safe ways and the Thai Government is making efforts to boost a good relationship among the parties,” said Songkiti Jaggap Batara at the meeting.
“Thailand welcomes Cambodian soldiers for any official visit and study tour at any time,” he added.
In response, Pol Saroeun remarked that “We do not care what is published in newspapers as Cambodia’s stance is to solve safely.”
Troop deployments had been reduced in some areas as directed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The troops have apparently been moved to help cultivation during the rainy season.
Cambodian CIC Pol Saroeun also asked Thailand to support rice cultivation and for Thai businessmen to buy Cambodian farmers’ products.
Cambodia asked that Thai soldiers be tolerant of rural Cambodians who travel across the border to cut trees on Thai territory. The Thai army chief said he would command respectful behaviour.
The two parties agreed to develop infrastructure at the border t promote business.
The situation at the border is be normal, a senior army official told DAP News Cambodia on Monday.
“The two sides’ soldiers have a good relationship,” said Srey Doeuk, commander of Cambodia’s Preah Vihear forces.
Defense Minister Tear Banh recently confirmed that the Thai army chief would visit Cambodia to boost cooperation and to reduce tension at the border.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen last week announced he will cut troop levels at the disputed area around Preah Vihear temple in northern Cambodia in response to a similar move by Thailand.
Opposite Pursat province, Thailand has recently cut the number of its soldiers to just 30, the premier said. He did not specify how many Cambodian soldiers would be withdrawn.
“We have a plan to change the deployment a little,” Hun Sen said. “If anything happened, it wouldn’t take long to send our troops up again, but I hope there won’t be any fighting there.”
“In our modern age, we need to discuss matters with each other and we do not want to see people shed their blood.”
Tensions at the border are easing and both sides plan to measure areas for border demarcation soon.
Cambodian high ranking officials last week warned a group of Thai nationalists over a forum to be held next week which focuses on 4.6 square kilometers of Thai territory allegedly lost to Cambodia around the Khmer Preah Vihear Temple.
Both nations have had soldiers killed and wounded in clashes in the area since mid-2008, when the temple was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, the UN’s cultural body.
The violence drove relations between the two ASEAN members to a low point and caused concern among other members of the regional bloc.
In an effort to show the situation is less fractious, Thai and Cambodian soldiers based at the 11th-century temple will take part Tuesday in a joint religious ceremony in Kompong Thom province.
Thai army delegation will finish its official visit on Tuesday evening.
A meeting between two senior army commander chiefs came following a two-day official visit from Songkiti Jaggabatara, supreme commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, to Cambodia. He met with Pol Saroeun, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Chief Commander in Chief, in Phnom Penh.
Songkiti Jaggabatara said he wanted to strengthen the relationship between the two parties, and to show solidarity to international community. “We solve all matters in safe ways and the Thai Government is making efforts to boost a good relationship among the parties,” said Songkiti Jaggap Batara at the meeting.
“Thailand welcomes Cambodian soldiers for any official visit and study tour at any time,” he added.
In response, Pol Saroeun remarked that “We do not care what is published in newspapers as Cambodia’s stance is to solve safely.”
Troop deployments had been reduced in some areas as directed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The troops have apparently been moved to help cultivation during the rainy season.
Cambodian CIC Pol Saroeun also asked Thailand to support rice cultivation and for Thai businessmen to buy Cambodian farmers’ products.
Cambodia asked that Thai soldiers be tolerant of rural Cambodians who travel across the border to cut trees on Thai territory. The Thai army chief said he would command respectful behaviour.
The two parties agreed to develop infrastructure at the border t promote business.
The situation at the border is be normal, a senior army official told DAP News Cambodia on Monday.
“The two sides’ soldiers have a good relationship,” said Srey Doeuk, commander of Cambodia’s Preah Vihear forces.
Defense Minister Tear Banh recently confirmed that the Thai army chief would visit Cambodia to boost cooperation and to reduce tension at the border.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen last week announced he will cut troop levels at the disputed area around Preah Vihear temple in northern Cambodia in response to a similar move by Thailand.
Opposite Pursat province, Thailand has recently cut the number of its soldiers to just 30, the premier said. He did not specify how many Cambodian soldiers would be withdrawn.
“We have a plan to change the deployment a little,” Hun Sen said. “If anything happened, it wouldn’t take long to send our troops up again, but I hope there won’t be any fighting there.”
“In our modern age, we need to discuss matters with each other and we do not want to see people shed their blood.”
Tensions at the border are easing and both sides plan to measure areas for border demarcation soon.
Cambodian high ranking officials last week warned a group of Thai nationalists over a forum to be held next week which focuses on 4.6 square kilometers of Thai territory allegedly lost to Cambodia around the Khmer Preah Vihear Temple.
Both nations have had soldiers killed and wounded in clashes in the area since mid-2008, when the temple was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, the UN’s cultural body.
The violence drove relations between the two ASEAN members to a low point and caused concern among other members of the regional bloc.
In an effort to show the situation is less fractious, Thai and Cambodian soldiers based at the 11th-century temple will take part Tuesday in a joint religious ceremony in Kompong Thom province.
Thai army delegation will finish its official visit on Tuesday evening.
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