Cambodia Delays Opening Thai Border Gate To Temple: Official

[webfact]

Cambodia delays opening Thai border gate to temple: official

PHNOM PENH, December 1, 2010 (AFP) - Cambodia has postponed opening a border gate with Thailand at the disputed site of an ancient temple, an official said Wednesday, after conflicting reports over troop withdrawal from the area.

"We have delayed it indefinitely," said Hang Soth, director general of the government-run agency managing the Preah Vihear temple.

Cambodia earlier this week said redeployment of troops by both countries away from the border had eased the way for the gate to be opened for the first time in over two years on Sunday.

But the Thai prime minister has since denied any such withdrawal and renewed calls for all Cambodians to leave the disputed area before the army would pull back.

"I said clearly that there would be no military withdrawal if there is still intrusion," Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters when questioned on the issue.

The gate, which gives access to the 11th century site to visitors from Thailand, has been closed since June 2008 after Thai protesters rallied near the ruins.

Preah Vihear is a combustible issue between the neighbouring countries, with the temple itself belonging to Cambodia, according to a 1962 World Court ruling, but the main entrance lying in Thailand.

The exact boundary through the surrounding grounds remains in dispute.

Relations between the pair have been strained following a series of deadly border clashes in July 2008 over land surrounding the temple after it was granted UN World Heritage status.

Hang Soth told AFP that the decision to delay opening the gate was taken because neither side could agree on details like whether a ticket booth could be installed on the Thai side.

Thailand also wanted Thai vendors to be allowed to sell their wares in a Cambodian market near the temple, he said.

"We disagreed because it is our territory," said Hang Soth.

The Thai-Cambodia border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.

Relations between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Thai premier appear to have improved in recent months following a series of meetings held on the sidelines of international and regional summits.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-12-01

[webfact]

Government Spokesman: No Thai troop re-deployment plan for border after Cambodia reopens Thai border crossing to temple

BANGKOK, Dec 1 -- Thai troops stationed at the Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa Ket province will not be redeployed after Cambodia reportedly plans to reopen the border gate at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple this weekend, according to Acting Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

Dr Panitan, who is also deputy secretary to the premier, said Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has informed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that there will be no troop re-deployment at the Thai-Cambodian border.

The number of soldiers will remain the same and the prime minister has stressed that if the talks between Thailand and Cambodia cannot agree on the contested area, the Thai troop level would remain the same at the border, he said.

Cambodia is reportedly rearranging its forces in the area to a more relaxed situation and the move signals a good sign to Thailand that the talks may progress to ease tensions, Dr Panitan said, adding that some Cambodian have moved from the temple and communities in the contested area.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported Monday quoting Cambodian general Chea Tara, deputy commander-in-chief who oversees troop operations at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple as saying that Cambodian and Thai troops were working "on a good solution to resolve the problems along the border" and he hoped that the gate will be open very soon.

Cambodia closed the gate after Thai protesters rallied near the ruins in June 2008, but, according to the French news agency, an official at the Preah Vihear authority, a government-run agency managing the temple, said there is a plan to open the gate on Sunday.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over Preah Vihear since the World Heritage Committee added it to the World Heritage List of 2008. The listing has nothing to do with the boundaries, but Thailand feared Cambodia would use the disputed areas adjacent to the temple as a buffer zone, particularly the 4.6 square metre area which is claimed by both countries.

Since the conflict started, there has been a military standoff, on and off, along the two countries' border and several military clashes recorded limited casualties on both sides.

The International Court of Justice on June 15, 1962 ruled in favour of the Cambodians, saying Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia.

However, relations between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai prime minister Abhisit appear to have improved in recent months following a series of meetings held on the sidelines of international and regional summits.

In related developments, Chawanon Intharakomansut, secretary to Thailand's foreign minister, said the Ministry is considering proposing Asada Jayanama, advisor to the minister of foreign affairs, as the chief Thai representative to Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) replacing Vasin Teeravechyan, advisor to Ministry of Foreign Affairs who resigned Nov 1.

He said the ministry would submit Mr Asada's name to the Cabinet for approval soon.

Mr Vasin led JBC negotiation's three times since 2008, and the outcome of the talks was pending Parliament approval before the task could move ahead. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-01

[asiawatcher]

"... the decision to delay opening the gate was taken because neither side could agree on details like whether a ticket booth could be installed on the Thai side."

Are these people for real ??? Get a life!

[bergen]

yes nothing new here............business as usual