Situation on Cambodia, Thailand Border Improves with Progress of Bilateral Talks

By Soy Sophea

During a meeting held at Hua Hin, Thailand on August 18-19, Cambodian and Thai Foreign Ministers welcomed the reduction of tension in the area. This is a reflection of the “success of bilateral talks between the two countries”.

Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told reporters upon his return to Phnom Penh August 20 that a final resolution of the issues will be solved through bilateral talks. These are progressing, albeit slowly.

“Tej Bunnag [the Foreign Minister of Thailand] is in complete agreement that settlement of territorial disputes with armed forces is out of date,” he said. “So, we will solve any problems through peaceful dialogue, as friendly neighboring states should.”

The Deputy Prime Minister added, “I hope that soon, troops from both nations currently deployed around Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda will be removed.”

According to a joint press briefing issued August 18-19, both Foreign Ministers have reached agreement on the fundamental points: firstly, both sides welcome the first-phase redeployment of their respective troops out of the “Keo Sikha Kiri Svara” pagoda, the area surrounding the Pagoda, and the Temple of Preah Vihea. In addition, agreements have been reached to convene a second meeting between the Head of the Cambodian Temporary Coordinating Task Force and the Head of the Thai Regional Border Committee. The meeting will take place on 29th August 2008 in Cambodia to discuss the second phase of redeployment.

Secondly, both sides have agreed to recommend to their respective governments that the next meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) be convened in early October 2008. This meeting will discuss issues related to the survey and demarcation of the relevant sector under the Terms of Reference and Master Plan of the JBC. All deliberations will take place in the presence of Thai and Cambodian legal experts.

Var Kimhong, Cambodia’s Border Committee Director, told reporters on August 20 that, “For us the picture is clear and is based on internationally recognized maps created by French and Siamese cartographers.”

In the third and final point covered by the press conference, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries will meet again after the JBC meeting. In this meeting, both sides will encourage their respective governments to create a provisional arrangement, pending completion of the work of the JBC in the Preah Vihear area. For Thailand, such provisional arrangements may be entered into only in accordance with Thai constitutional and domestic legal procedures and requirements.

Finally, both sides agreed to consider the issue of the Tamone Temples at the next Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.