Cambodian, Thai leaders pledge to avoid further border clashes+

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Jun 12 03:01 AM US/Eastern

PHNOM PENH, June 12 (AP) - (Kyodo)—The prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand agreed Friday to endeavor to avoid any further military clashes along their two countries' border.

The commitment was made during a meeting in Phnom Penh between Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva, Hun Sen's spokesman Eang Sophalleth told reporters.

The armed forces of the two sides have on occasion exchanged fire along the border since Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in July last year, leaving a number of deaths and injuries on both sides.

The situation has recently eased, but the military presence in the area remains.

The Cambodian government insists that Thai troops have deployed on Cambodian soil, while Thailand says its troops are only in a disputed zone. The border dispute stems partly from the use of different border maps.

According to Eang Sophalleth, Abhisit agreed with Hun Sen's suggestion that military officers based along the border of the two nations should hold regular meetings to deepen understanding and ease tension.

Since the border issue erupted last year, many rounds of talks at different levels including defense and foreign ministerial levels have been held, but a solution to the border issue has proved elusive.

Abhisit's visit to Cambodia was his first since coming to office late last year.

As part of the visit, seven pieces of artifacts that had been stolen by smugglers were returned to Cambodia. Cambodia has asked Thailand to return 36 more pieces.