Friday, 17 October 2008

Thai Cambodian talks fruitless after all

Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Published: Thursday 16 October 2008

Talks between Thai and Cambodian generals have proved fruitless after all. Earlier today, media reported agreement had been reached on joint military patrols on the mutual border, but Thai general Wiboonsak Neeparn has denied the reports. He said the troops in the area would remain in their present positions.

Only yesterday, Cambodian and Thai soldiers were engaged in a gun battle in the area. An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.

China urged the two countries to arrive at a peaceful solution to the conflict. Beijing is Cambodia's main financial backer. In the past two years, China has donated more than 800 million US dollars in aid to Cambodia.

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