International Herald TribuneThe Associated Press
Published: August 18, 2008
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Border talks topped the agenda Monday for Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers heading into a meeting to find a lasting solution to a lingering territorial dispute that brought the two neighbors close to an armed clash.
The meeting was scheduled for later Monday in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin, following two inconclusive rounds of talks.
On July 28, the foreign ministers agreed to withdraw their troops from the disputed area near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple.
Before departing for Thailand, Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said he was "optimistic the meeting will achieve a good success" and lead to "a lasting solution to border problems between Cambodia and Thailand."
He reiterated his government's previous stance to solve the problems with Thailand peacefully and amicably, because "our two countries share a lot of economic and trade interests."
He said he will also pay a visit to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Tuesday.
Both countries' militaries pulled out most of their troops from the disputed territory on Saturday, leaving only 10 soldiers from each side at the compound of a pagoda near the temple, according to Hang Soth, director-general of the Preah Vihear National Authority, a Cambodian government agency managing the historic site.
Hor Namhong said the two countries will work toward pulling out all the remaining troops from the area to allow for mine clearance operations and border demarcation.
About 800 troops from Cambodia and 400 from Thailand had been deployed to Preah Vihear and the surrounding area in a monthlong standoff in which weapons were drawn once but no shots were fired.
The standoff began on July 15 after UNESCO, the U.N.'s cultural agency, approved Cambodia's application to have the Preah Vihear temple named a World Heritage Site. Thailand and Cambodia have both long claimed the temple, which the World Court awarded to Cambodia in 1962.
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