Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee meeting postponed indefinitely

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via Khmer NZ

 BANGKOK, Aug 11 - Thailand and Cambodia on Wednesday agreed to postpone the 7th meeting of General Border Committee (GBC) scheduled to be held in Thailand later this month indefinitely because of unreadiness regarding documents, according to Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Col Thanatip Sawangsaeng.

Col Thanatip said the Thai Defence Ministry was scheduled to host the 7th GBC meeting August 27-28 but documents for the meeting was not yet prepared so that both countries' defence ministries agreed to postpone the meeting with a new date to be set later.

He affirmed that the postponement had nothing to do with the latest spat between the two countries' leaders over Preah Vihear.

Col Thanatip said the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remained normal, troops from both armies exchanged visits and cooperated but security measures were strict.

Border trade was normal and no redeployment or increase in the number of soldiers from the two countries had taken place, he said.

"The document will cover a wide range of issues including security, drugs, human trafficking, maritime security and military and police coopration in the area," he said adding that if when the documents are ready the meeting could be rescheduled.

He explained that the documents require joint preparation by the defence ministries of the two counties.

As for border demarcation, Col Thanatip said, it falls under the responsibility of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) which is under supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday signed a letter to the United Nations (UN) to clarify Thailand's position regarding the border dispute, reaffirming that the kingdom will adhere to peaceful means in resolving the border dispute with Cambodia.

The letter counters Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's telling the world body that Thailand is threatening to use force to settle the altercation, and affirming that Thailand will continue to practice peaceful principles and intentions in resolving the dispute.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia intensified again after the Thai government delegation objected to Cambodia's unilateral management plan for the historic Preah Vihear temple as the neighbours could find no common ground to settle the disputed 4.6 sq km of land adjacent to the temple which was granted world heritage status in 2008.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) through its World Heritage Commission (WHC) consequently early this month postponed its discussion of the plan until next year when it meets in Bahrain.

The International Court of Justice in 1962 ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia.

The ancient Hindu temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. Under the terms of the listing, Cambodia is required to submit a management plan for WHC approval. (MCOT online news)