opposition MPs and critics pessimistic about Khmer-Thai border talks

Son Chhay (L) and Rong Chhun (R)
Source: everyday.com.kh
Reported in English by Khmerization

Opposition MPs and government critics are pessimistic about border talks being held between Cambodia's Commander-in-Chief Gen. Pol Saroeun and Thailand's Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara in Phnom Penh on 24th August.

Gen. Songkitti has led 100 delegates, the biggest ever Thai military delegation, to Cambodia.

Both military leaders hailed the meeting as a breakthrough.

Gen. Songkitti has been quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying that the Khmer-Thai border problems are solved. "I would like to clarify again that there will be no more problems between Thailand and Cambodia," he said. "The border will not be the cause of any further disputes."

Cambodian's Gen. Pol Saroeun concurred Gen. Songkitti's view. "We have the same view," he said. "Our goal is to achieve peace and solidarity with each other as siblings."

But opposition MPs and critics of the government's approaches to border issues with Thailand have expressed pessimism about a satisfactory border resolution for the Cambodian side.

Mr. Son Chhay, MP from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said Thailand is using its military superiority to corner Cambodia into accept its term of agreement.

"Thailand depends on their military power and resources, and they're just delaying this issue as long as possible so that they can eventually demand more of our territory", he was quoted by the Phnom Post as saying.

He insists that Cambodian government seeks a resolution via the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.

"We're waiting for the government to use diplomatic institutions, the legal system and international agreements, such as the 1991 Paris Peace accords, which promised to guarantee our territory", he told the Phnom Penh Post.

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association, echoed Son Chhay's pessimism. "We don't have any faith in Thailand's promise," he told the Post. "We have not seen any positive solutions yet."

Rong Chhun said Cambodia should demand a total Thai troop withdrawal from the areas they had occupied more than a year ago by saying that Thailand was trying to buy time by insisting on bilateral talks.

He said that despite previous talks and promises made by Thailand to withdraw its troops, many of its soldiers remained stationed on Cambodian soil.

"We have had a lot of meetings, but we have no results," he said. "Our leaders should make the right decision: Don't believe Thailand's promises", he told the Post.

Despite both sides hailing the meeting as a success, a joint Buddhist ceremony scheduled to be held on 25th August at Ta Thav Pass between Khmer and Thai troops has been canncelled.

Gen. Chhum Socheat, spokesman for the Cambodian Defence Ministry, said the Thai side did not tell of the reason for the cancellation, only that they don't have time. "They didn't tell us of the reason for the cancellation, only that they didn't have time and that the ceremony will be held at a later date", he told the Reaksmei Kampuchea newspaper.