Thursday, May 19, 2011

Agreement reached on joint border survey

19 May, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has agreed to Cambodia's proposal for a joint team to survey the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area as a prerequisite to holding a General Border Committee (GBC) meeting to discuss solving the problems between Thailand and Cambodia, a reliable source said on Thursday.

The source said the agreement was reached when Gen Prawit and Cambodian counterpart Gen Tea Banh met for about one hour on Wednesday in Jakarta, Indonesia, on the sideline of the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM).

The two defence ministers discussed Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's proposal for Thailand to accept terms of reference (TOR) which would lead to the sending of a joint survey team of Thai, Cambodian and Indonesian soldiers into the disputed area, a GBC meeting and then deployment of the Indonesian Observers Team (OIT).

Gen Tea Banh wanted Thailand to endorse the TOR as proposed by Hun Sen but Gen Prawit said the Thai government could not sign any document as it is presently only a caretaker administration.

Cambodia's Defence Minister Tea Banh (left) shakes hand with his Thai counterpart Prawit Wongsuwon (right) at a meeting in Indonesia on May 18, 2011. They are accompanied by Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro (centred). EPA

"However, Thailand has agreed to allow a joint survey team (of Thai, Cambodian and Indonesians) into the disputed area before holding the 8th GBC, to be hosted by Cambodia.

"Thailand had to concede a little, for Cambodia's proposal, to save Hun Sen's face, otherwise the GBC meeting on solving border problems would never be held," the source said.

At the GBC meeting, the two sides would discuss the repositioning of Thai and Cambodian soldiers in the 4.6 square kilometre area around Preah Vihear temple, as well as around the Ta Muen and Ta Kwai temples.

After that the Indonesian Observers Team would move into the area. This would be followed by the withdrawal of troops of the two countries to make way for demarcation by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), the source said.

Col Thanathip Sawangsaeng, the defence spokesman, in an interview from Indonesia confirmed that the talks between Gen Prawit and Gen Tea Banh would lead to the 8th GBC, to be hosted by Cambodia.

The two ministers wanted the GBC to be brought forward from June so that problems between the two countries could be settled more quickly.

"The defence ministers of the two countries agreed to solve problems through peaceful means. They do not want to see any more clashes or any more losses which affect the livelihoods of people living along the border.

"Gen Prawit reaffirmed Thailand's policy of not invading a neighbouring country," Col Thanathip said.

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