San Francisco Chronicle
Sopheng Cheang, Associated Press
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Cambodia and Thailand agreed Monday to pull back 1,200 troops stationed near an ancient temple, but failed to end the long-running border dispute that has stirred nationalist anger on both sides.
Foreign ministers from the two nations agreed to hold further meetings on how to demarcate a slice of land near the 11th century Hindu temple (prasat) in Preah Vihear province, but no date was set for the next one.
About 800 Cambodian troops and 400 from Thailand deployed inside and around a pagoda near the temple complex will be pulled back. It is unclear, however, where and when those troops will be moved.
"We cannot solve all problems at one meeting. We need to take gradual steps," said Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong. "The immediate task is to avoid clashes through the redeployment of troops."
Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag agreed "the meeting would help reduce tension at the border."
Moving troops from the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda is considered significant, because that is where Thai troops first deployed this month. Soon after, Cambodia moved troops into the area and the two sides engaged in an armed confrontation on July 17, when Cambodian monks sought to celebrate a Buddhist holiday in the pagoda.
The Cambodians eventually pulled back and the two sides have since managed to repress tensions.
The dispute over 1.8 square miles of land near Prasat Preah Vihear intensified this month when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site.
Thailand sent troops to the border July 15 after anti-government demonstrators criticized Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundarave for supporting Cambodia's application. Cambodia responded with its own deployment.
The first talks on July 21 fizzled over what maps should be used to demarcate the border.
Cambodia favors a French colonial map; Thailand relies on a map drawn up later with American help.
The disagreement prompted Cambodia to request a meeting of the U.N. Security Council before agreeing to a second round of talks with Thailand. Hor Namhong said he was hopeful new talks would end the impasse, but also warned that his government would pursue the case at the United Nations if talks failed again.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Cambodia and Thailand agreed Monday to pull back 1,200 troops stationed near an ancient temple, but failed to end the long-running border dispute that has stirred nationalist anger on both sides.
Foreign ministers from the two nations agreed to hold further meetings on how to demarcate a slice of land near the 11th century Hindu temple (prasat) in Preah Vihear province, but no date was set for the next one.
About 800 Cambodian troops and 400 from Thailand deployed inside and around a pagoda near the temple complex will be pulled back. It is unclear, however, where and when those troops will be moved.
"We cannot solve all problems at one meeting. We need to take gradual steps," said Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong. "The immediate task is to avoid clashes through the redeployment of troops."
Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag agreed "the meeting would help reduce tension at the border."
Moving troops from the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda is considered significant, because that is where Thai troops first deployed this month. Soon after, Cambodia moved troops into the area and the two sides engaged in an armed confrontation on July 17, when Cambodian monks sought to celebrate a Buddhist holiday in the pagoda.
The Cambodians eventually pulled back and the two sides have since managed to repress tensions.
The dispute over 1.8 square miles of land near Prasat Preah Vihear intensified this month when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site.
Thailand sent troops to the border July 15 after anti-government demonstrators criticized Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundarave for supporting Cambodia's application. Cambodia responded with its own deployment.
The first talks on July 21 fizzled over what maps should be used to demarcate the border.
Cambodia favors a French colonial map; Thailand relies on a map drawn up later with American help.
The disagreement prompted Cambodia to request a meeting of the U.N. Security Council before agreeing to a second round of talks with Thailand. Hor Namhong said he was hopeful new talks would end the impasse, but also warned that his government would pursue the case at the United Nations if talks failed again.
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