Tuesday, 14 October 2008

FM Sompong affirms troop patrolling within Thai territory

BANGKOK, Oct 14 (TNA) - Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat said he is checking news reports that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen warned Thailand to immediately withdraw its military forces from a disputed border area near an ancient Khmer temple, but affirmed that the Thai troops were patrolling within this country's territory and had not encroached upon Cambodia.

Khmer PM Hun Sen commented on the issue after he met Mr. Sompong in Phnom Penh after the latest talks between the two countries' foreign ministers meant to ease tensions over a disputed border area failed to reach any agreement.

Mr. Sompong earlier met with his counterpart Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, who reportedly warned of the risk of a "large-scale armed conflict."

The Thai foreign minister said after returning from Phnom Penh that he had to get further information about Mr. Hun Sen's comment.

Thai military units were patrolling within the country's borders, and had not trespassed on Cambodian territory, he affirmed.

Upon his arrival in Bangkok, Mr. Sompong went to meet Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to report the results of the failed border talks. Prime Minister Somchai reportedly told him to use restraint and patience to solve the problem.

Cambodian military officials said earlier that 80 Thai troops had entered the disputed area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

Tensions between the two bordering countries escalated in July after UNESCO listed the Khmer temple as the World Heritage Site which angered Thailand, with strongly nationalist Thais claiming that the temple belongs to Bangkok and not Phnom Penh.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but that the surrounding land remains in dispute.

Thai and Cambodian border talks agreed to redeployment of troops in August but the talks to solved border problems were delayed because of the political turmoil in Thailand. (TNA)

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