via Khmer NZ
Published: 19/08/2010
The Preah Vihear dispute cannot be raised at a multilateral level without the mutual consent of both the governments of Thailand and Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Thursday.
"If Cambodia wants to raise the dispute alone at the multilateral level, this cannot be done. The consent of both countries involved is needed," said Mr Suthep.
"I think that the dispute can be solved through talks between the two countries."
Mr Suthep was responding to the Cambodian move to seek intervention by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to help resolve the border spat, to avoid any large scale armed conflict.
Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga was quoted as saying in a statement on Tuesday that "as Asean chair, Vietnam is actively consulting other Asean countries about the proposal that Asean should mediate the Preah Vihear dispute".
Media reports quoted Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan saying he expected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to meet and discuss the dispute on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem), scheduled for Brussels in October.
Mr Suthep said he had no knowledge about the matter. However, Mr Surin might have directly contacted Mr Abihisit about the matter.
He said the dispute over the contested 4.6 sq km border area around the cliff-top temple is a big issue and that it will take time to settle the problem.
Meanwhile, Mr Abhisit expressed confidence that the border dispute with Cambodia can be settled through diplomatic channels.
"If we handle the negotiations gently the situation will improve, no one will lose and the people of both countries will benefit," Mr Abhisit said on Thursday.
He said his government can resolve the rift with the Cambodian government over the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.
There were two essential needs in solving the border row. The Thai and Cambodian governments must each show their sincerity in wanting to solve the issue through peaceful means, and people from both countries must work together to ease the tension along the disputed frontier area.
"But Thai people need to show their unity first, because conflict amongst ourselves makes the problem even more difficult to solve.
"The problem is not easy to solve, but the government will do its best," the premier said.
Negotiations between the two sides must fall within the rules and regulations of the United Nations, he added.
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