Cambodia rules out meeting demand [Cambodia will go to Indonesia with or without Thailand]

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh

Writer: Wassana Nanuam
Published: 3/04/2011
Bangkok Post

Cambodia will attend a General Border Committee meeting in Indonesia regardless of whether Thailand sends its delegation, Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh says.

Gen Tea Banh, also a Cambodian deputy prime minister, said his country is ready to attend the meeting and he will travel to Indonesia on Wednesday.

Gen Tea Banh reiterated his rejection of a proposal by his Thai counterpart, Prawit Wongsuwon, that the eighth GBC meeting be held either in Cambodia or in Thailand.

Gen Prawit objects to the meeting being held in a third country because he believes the Thai-Cambodian border dispute can be settled bilaterally.

Gen Tea Banh said the United Nations Security Council and Asean have agreed Indonesia will be allowed to play a role as a mediator.

"Therefore, there will be no GBC meeting either in Cambodia or in Thailand. It must be held in Indonesia only,"he said.

Gen Tea Banh added that he had not discussed the border issue directly with Gen Prawit. They had only communicated through military attaches.

He said Cambodia will not remove its military presence from the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area while no talks have been held to address the issue.

Gen Tea Banh said Cambodia has the right to claim the 4.6-square-kilometre area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple and talks must be held to demarcate the land, but he insisted military ties between the two countries remain healthy.