Thai Deputy PM meets Cambodia leader

via CAAI

Published: Feb. 17, 2011

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met the visiting Thai deputy prime minister Thursday as a border dispute between their countries remained tense.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri talked with Hun Sen in Phnom Penh, the first such meeting since the Cambodia-Thai border clashes earlier this month which left at least eight people from both sides dead, the Thai News Agency reported.

The Thai delegation's visit officially was to attend the Thai-Cambodian business summit and for the Thailand Trade Fair in Phnom Penh next week.

During their meeting, Trairong said Hun Sen asked him to inform Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that Cambodia intends to end the border conflict and cooperate with Thailand for a joint demarcation, TNA reported.

There has been sporadic fighting with several exchange of brief gunfire since the deadly Feb. 4-7 clashes over the border Hindu temple of Preah Vihear, CNN reported quoting a Thai military official.

The U.N. Security Council Monday urged the two sides to end their conflict and to avoid any action that could aggravate the situation.

Hun Sen also was quoted as saying he is ready to comply with a permanent ceasefire and bilateral talks as urged by the Security Council. The Thai News Agency report said Cambodia wants a third party such as the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to chair the negotiation.

Thai leaders have stressed the issue can be resolved bilaterally.