A Cambodian soldier stands guard at an entrance gate of Preah Vihear temple, on the Cambodian-Thai- border in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, on Friday, July 18, 2008. Cambodia will pursue U.N. intervention to avoid a military confrontation with Thailand if talks between the two countries fail to produce a breakthrough, the Cambodian foreign minister said Friday, July 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Heng SinithSIEM REAP, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia and Thailand attempted to settle Monday an armed standoff over disputed border territory near a historic Hindu temple that prompted both countries to deploy thousands of troops to the area.
Foreign ministers from both Southeast Asian nations expressed optimism that a second round of talks would produce a breakthrough over the dispute, after several thousand soldiers were sent two weeks ago to the 11th century Preah Vihear temple.
"I hope that the result of the talks will be positive," said Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag before flying off to the Cambodian city of Siem Reap. "On the issue of withdrawing troops, they should be pulled back in equal numbers."
The first meeting on July 21 between the two sides foundered over what maps should be used to demarcate the border. It prompted Cambodia to request an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council before agreeing to the second meeting with Thailand.
The dispute over 1.8 square miles of land near Preah Vihear escalated this month when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site.
Thailand sent troops to the border July 15 after anti-government demonstrators targeted Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's government for supporting Cambodia's application to UNESCO. Cambodia responded with its own deployment.
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Friday he was hopeful the new talks would end the impasse, but also warned his government would pursue the case at the U.N. if negotiations failed again.
A French map demarcating the border generally favors Cambodia, and Thailand rejects it saying it was drawn up by a colonial power to its own advantage.
Thailand relies on a different map drawn up later with American technical assistance, but accepts a ruling by the International Court of Justice that awarded the disputed temple to Cambodia in 1962.
Cambodia's ruling party tapped into growing nationalism over the border dispute to win over voters ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections. Political analysts in Thailand have predicted Phnom Penh may be more willing to negotiate a compromise after the strong election showing by Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodia People's Party — something Cambodian authorities have dismissed.
On Monday, a spokesman for the party said it was well on its way to forming a new government.
The party estimated it won 91 seats in the 123-seat National Assembly, spokesman Khieu Kanharith said.
"We can go it alone. We can claim a landslide victory. It is certain," he said.
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