balita-dot-ph
November 19, 2008
PHNOM PENH, Nov. 19 — The bilateral mechanism between Cambodia and Thailand can facilitate both sides to settle their months-long border dispute, Chinese-language newspaper the Jian Hua Daily on Wednesday quoted an official as saying.
However, the time is not ripe yet, as Thailand has to cope with its political turmoil first, Phay Siphan, secretary of state of the Cambodian Council of Ministers, told a seminar here on Tuesday.
An armed clash in October at the border area killed two Cambodian soldiers and wounded two others, after Thai troops entered the disputed there over sovereignty claim.
Both sides then initiated rounds of diplomatic and military talks, but achieved none significant developments.
The Cambodian government has been improving the roads leading to the Preah Vihear Temple, which is the focus of the bilateral border dispute, in order to provide more convenience for its people to visit the site, said Phay Siphan.
"We are worried that the road renovation might become the latest excuse for more Thai troops to enter the area," he said.
"We would report any change within the area to the concerned international organizations (for help and justice)", he added.
The International Court of Justice decided in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, which has rankled some Thai nationalists who believe in the ownership of the 900-year-old historical site by their own country.
There are now 73 demarcation posts along the 805-km border between Cambodia and Thailand, 50 percent of which are recognized by the Thai side. Cambodia still plans to plant hundreds more posts there in order to specify the border line. (PNA/Xinhua)
November 19, 2008
PHNOM PENH, Nov. 19 — The bilateral mechanism between Cambodia and Thailand can facilitate both sides to settle their months-long border dispute, Chinese-language newspaper the Jian Hua Daily on Wednesday quoted an official as saying.
However, the time is not ripe yet, as Thailand has to cope with its political turmoil first, Phay Siphan, secretary of state of the Cambodian Council of Ministers, told a seminar here on Tuesday.
An armed clash in October at the border area killed two Cambodian soldiers and wounded two others, after Thai troops entered the disputed there over sovereignty claim.
Both sides then initiated rounds of diplomatic and military talks, but achieved none significant developments.
The Cambodian government has been improving the roads leading to the Preah Vihear Temple, which is the focus of the bilateral border dispute, in order to provide more convenience for its people to visit the site, said Phay Siphan.
"We are worried that the road renovation might become the latest excuse for more Thai troops to enter the area," he said.
"We would report any change within the area to the concerned international organizations (for help and justice)", he added.
The International Court of Justice decided in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, which has rankled some Thai nationalists who believe in the ownership of the 900-year-old historical site by their own country.
There are now 73 demarcation posts along the 805-km border between Cambodia and Thailand, 50 percent of which are recognized by the Thai side. Cambodia still plans to plant hundreds more posts there in order to specify the border line. (PNA/Xinhua)
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