- Writer: Wassana Nanuam
- Published: 17/11/2012
- Bangkok Post
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to maintain
their improving relationship by putting on hold the Preah Vihear Temple
border dispute, says Cambodia's defence minister.
Tea Banh made the comment after meeting Thai Defence Minister
Sukumpol Suwanatat on Friday night at the Asean Defence Ministers'
Meeting Retreat in Siem Reap.
The two ministers discussed the border dispute near the ancient Khmer
site, where troops have been in an uneasy standoff for five years,
although tensions have eased since the Pheu Thai government took office.
Tea Banh told the Bangkok Post that both countries had agreed not to
rush into resolving the issue as they wanted to strengthen their
relationship and jointly promote development in other aspects.
The Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee would resume dialogue toward demarcation, according to Tea Bahn.
"There is no need to settle the issue now as peace is the priority," he said.
His comments confirm the agreement reached between Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra and Cambodian Premier Hun Sen on Oct 19. The two
premiers said both Thai and Cambodian people would be allowed to live
off the land in the area without fear of being driven out for the time
being.
"We will let the villagers go on farming there," another source at the Siem Reap meeting quoted Gen Teah Bahn as saying.
"We will not expel them but will leave the task to the Joint Boundary
Committee" which is overseen by the foreign ministries of the two
countries. he added.
"In the future if the relations of both countries turn very good, we
may consider exchanging these two areas, similar to a solution to a
border dispute Cambodia made with Vietnam," Gen Teah Bahn was quoted as
saying.
A joint working group between Thailand and Cambodia will meet from
Dec 17-19 in Bangkok to discuss a mine-sweeping operation to improve
safety in the area.
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