The temple dispute has strained ties between Thailand and Cambodia [EPA]Al Jazeera
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to reduce their troop numbers around a disputed temple before a new round of border talks.According to Neang Phat, a Cambodian general, the agreement was reached on Wednesday during a meeting of military officials from the two countries.
Thai military officials confirmed the deal, but neither country would reveal exactly how many troops would be withdrawn from the area around the ruins of Preah Vihear, an 11th century Khmer temple.
More than 1,000 troops from both countries are stationed around the temple complex.
Cambodia and Thailand agreed last month to withdraw their forces from a small patch of disputed territory near Preah Vihear.
The border dispute erupted in July, after three Thai nationalist protesters were arrested for trying to illegally cross into Cambodia to reach Preah Vihear.
Further talks
They were angry that Cambodia had won world heritage status from the UN for the ruins last month, which Thailand has long claimed despite a World Court ruling giving the ruins to Cambodia.
Foreign ministers from both countries are set to meet on Monday and Tuesday for further talks on the deal.
"The redeployment of the troops that we have agreed to will finish before the ministerial meeting on August 18," Neang Phat, the Cambodian army officer, said.
He said the remaining troops would be allowed to carry only simple rifles and guns.
Their future positions would be determined after the ministerial meeting next week, he said.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to reduce their troop numbers around a disputed temple before a new round of border talks.According to Neang Phat, a Cambodian general, the agreement was reached on Wednesday during a meeting of military officials from the two countries.
Thai military officials confirmed the deal, but neither country would reveal exactly how many troops would be withdrawn from the area around the ruins of Preah Vihear, an 11th century Khmer temple.
More than 1,000 troops from both countries are stationed around the temple complex.
Cambodia and Thailand agreed last month to withdraw their forces from a small patch of disputed territory near Preah Vihear.
The border dispute erupted in July, after three Thai nationalist protesters were arrested for trying to illegally cross into Cambodia to reach Preah Vihear.
Further talks
They were angry that Cambodia had won world heritage status from the UN for the ruins last month, which Thailand has long claimed despite a World Court ruling giving the ruins to Cambodia.
Foreign ministers from both countries are set to meet on Monday and Tuesday for further talks on the deal.
"The redeployment of the troops that we have agreed to will finish before the ministerial meeting on August 18," Neang Phat, the Cambodian army officer, said.
He said the remaining troops would be allowed to carry only simple rifles and guns.
Their future positions would be determined after the ministerial meeting next week, he said.
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