International Herald Tribune
The Associated Press
Published: July 29, 2008
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday he was ready to pull troops back from the Thai border but was leaving the timing up to Thailand, a day after officials agreed to ease a tense two-week armed standoff near a disputed ancient temple.
As of Tuesday afternoon, neither army had budged from their positions near Preah Vihear temple on the border.
Foreign ministers from both countries met Monday for more than 12 hours in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap. They failed to resolve the central issue over rights to a strip of land near the temple, but agreed in principle to move the 800 Cambodian troops and 400 Thais stationed nearby.
It remained unclear, however, when the troops would move or where they would be sent.
"For our side, there is no problem at all," Hun Sen told reporters in the capital, Phnom Penh. "The issue is up to Thailand to decide when to act. For us, anytime."
The standoff has stoked nationalist sentiment in both countries and helped strengthen Hun Sen's popularity ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections. His ruling party appears to have won a landslide victory.
"We still have a standing order to remain calm and exercise restraint," said Cambodian Maj. Gen. Srey Doek, contacted by telephone at the border. "Thai troops are keeping the same position, and so are we. But both sides do not want to wage war and only desire to live in peace with each other."
Thai army commander Gen. Anuphong Paochinda said his troops also had no immediate plan to budge.
"Thai soldiers will pull out from the area only after we receive an order from the government," Anupong told reporters in the Thai capital, Bangkok.
The dispute over 1.8 square miles (4.6 square kilometers) of land near the 11th century temple escalated earlier this month when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage site. Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had backed the bid, sparking anti-government demonstrations near the temple.
Both sides stationed soldiers near the temple July 15. A first round of talks on July 21 foundered over which map should be used to demarcate the border, prompting Cambodia to request a meeting of the United Nations Security Council before agreeing to a second round of talks.
Monday's talks ended with both foreign ministers agreeing further talks were needed to resolve the larger border dispute.
"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 that "the meeting would help reduce tension at the border."
A joint statement said "both countries should exercise utmost restraint to avoid the possibility of armed confrontation."
In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex.
The decision was based on a French colonial map demarcating the border, which Thailand says favors Cambodia. Thailand relies on a map drawn up later with American technical assistance.
The Associated Press
Published: July 29, 2008
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday he was ready to pull troops back from the Thai border but was leaving the timing up to Thailand, a day after officials agreed to ease a tense two-week armed standoff near a disputed ancient temple.
As of Tuesday afternoon, neither army had budged from their positions near Preah Vihear temple on the border.
Foreign ministers from both countries met Monday for more than 12 hours in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap. They failed to resolve the central issue over rights to a strip of land near the temple, but agreed in principle to move the 800 Cambodian troops and 400 Thais stationed nearby.
It remained unclear, however, when the troops would move or where they would be sent.
"For our side, there is no problem at all," Hun Sen told reporters in the capital, Phnom Penh. "The issue is up to Thailand to decide when to act. For us, anytime."
The standoff has stoked nationalist sentiment in both countries and helped strengthen Hun Sen's popularity ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections. His ruling party appears to have won a landslide victory.
"We still have a standing order to remain calm and exercise restraint," said Cambodian Maj. Gen. Srey Doek, contacted by telephone at the border. "Thai troops are keeping the same position, and so are we. But both sides do not want to wage war and only desire to live in peace with each other."
Thai army commander Gen. Anuphong Paochinda said his troops also had no immediate plan to budge.
"Thai soldiers will pull out from the area only after we receive an order from the government," Anupong told reporters in the Thai capital, Bangkok.
The dispute over 1.8 square miles (4.6 square kilometers) of land near the 11th century temple escalated earlier this month when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage site. Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had backed the bid, sparking anti-government demonstrations near the temple.
Both sides stationed soldiers near the temple July 15. A first round of talks on July 21 foundered over which map should be used to demarcate the border, prompting Cambodia to request a meeting of the United Nations Security Council before agreeing to a second round of talks.
Monday's talks ended with both foreign ministers agreeing further talks were needed to resolve the larger border dispute.
"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 that "the meeting would help reduce tension at the border."
A joint statement said "both countries should exercise utmost restraint to avoid the possibility of armed confrontation."
In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex.
The decision was based on a French colonial map demarcating the border, which Thailand says favors Cambodia. Thailand relies on a map drawn up later with American technical assistance.
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