Aug 16, 2011
Bangkok Post
It might not be necessary for Indonesian observers to be sent to the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple if Thailand and Cambodia can reach agreement on solving their problems, Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said on Tuesday.
Gen Yutthasak said this idea had been proposed by Cambodia.
If the two countries agreed on this, the International Court of Justice would be notified that it was not necessary for Indonesian observers to be sent into the disputed area and the border problem would be settled through bilateral mechanisms, he said.
The ICJ ruled on July 18 that Thailand and Cambodia should withdraw their soldiers from the disputed area and allow observers from Asean access to the area pending its consideration of a Cambodian petition concerning ownership of the disputed area.
The ICJ also set up a ``provisional demilitarised zone'' around Preah Vihear temple.
Gen Yutthasak said Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Banh had sent a letter inviting him to attend the long-stalled 8th General Border Committee (GBC) in Phnom Penh.
The Thai-Cambodian GBC is co-chaired by the defence ministers of the two countries.
In responding to the invitation, the defence minister said he would call a meeting of agencies concerned on Aug 17 for a briefing.
After that he would assign Lt-Gen Wissanu Sriyaphan, chief of the Border Affairs Department of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters and Thai secretary for GBC meetings, to coordinate with Cambodia on a preparatory meeting to work out a schedule for the GBC meeting as soon as possible.
In the meantime, there would be a Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima province co-chaired by Lt-GenTawatchai Samutsakhon, the Army Region 2 commander, and Lt-Gen Chea Mon of Cambodia to work out the framework of the GBC meeting.
Gen Yutthasak said at the GBC meeting he would see if there would be any agreement that would require parliamentary approval.
Asked when the withdrawal of troops would begin, Gen Yutthasak said he expected this would be soon after the GBC meeting.
On a request from a number of senators for him to talk to Gen Tea Banh about helping Veera Somkwamkid, coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who are each serving a jail term in Phnom Penh after being found guilty of illegal entry and spying, Gen Yutthasak said this matter could be taken for consideration later.
He said he did not want to apply any pressure on Cambodia.
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