Thai, Cambodian Defense Ministries Postpone Border Meeting

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
Thursday, 12 August 2010

via Khmer NZ

Photo: by Taing Sarada
The 7th General Border Meeting, which was to be held in Thailand on Aug. 27, was officially delayed because Thailand's defense minsitry had not prepared necessary documents, Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh said Thursday.

The meeting was to be “a very important basis for maintaining security and peace along the border.”

Cambodia and Thailand have indefinitely postponed an annual border meeting in the midst of an ongoing row over Preah Vihear temple, Cambodia's defense minister said Thursday.

The 7th General Border Meeting, which was to be held in Thailand on Aug. 27, was officially delayed because Thailand's defense minsitry had not prepared necessary documents, Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh said Thursday.

At the meeting, both side were expected to sign agreements on border security, cooperation on landmine disposal, prevention of drug and human trafficking, and other security measures.

The meeting was to be “a very important basis for maintaining security and peace along the border,” said Chhum Socheath, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense.

Both sides have said the postponement is not related to a recent dust-up over Preah Vihear temple, where the ownership of a nearby 4.6-kilometer stretch of land is disputed.

The Bangkok Post on Wednesday quoted Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya saying a Joint Boundary Committee meeting should be conducted over the border row.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, who earlier this week filed letters to senior UN officials over the ongoing dispute, said talks between foreign ministers were not necessary until the Thai parliament ratifies official records of previous meetings.