Monday, 4 August 2008

Abhisit calls for serious effort to solve border disputes

(BangkokPost.com) - Democrat party leader and Opposition chief Abhisit Vejjajiva suggested the government to spend more time in working out the new border dispute over the 13th century Ta Moan Thom temple between Thailand and Cambodia instead of throwing blames on others.

Mr Abhisit also called on Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej to stop playing politics and distorting the truth about the 11th century Preah Vihear Temple. He spoke about Mr Samak’s claim that the origin of the Preah Vihear controversy was the agreement made in 2000. Both countries eight years ago agreed to address the Preah Vihear case in a peaceful manner, but the main concern right now is to clearly the draw out the border area, he said.

When asked whether France will intervene in the Preah Vihear temple, the Democrat leader said it is actually a bilateral matter, and the Thai government has to reiterate that it can be solved between the two countries. He said the government should prevent the overlapping border areas in the ancient temples from intensifying, thus prompting ASEAN and the UN to get involve.

Both sides should continue to negotiate in a bilateral level, Mr. Abhist said.

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