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Thai, Cambodian FMs agree to resolve border issue bilaterally
On 28 July 2008, Mr. Tej Bunnag, Foreign Minister of Thailand, had a meeting with
H.E. Mr. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation of Cambodia, in Siem Reap to discuss ways to resolve peacefully
the situation in the border area adjacent to the Temple of Preah Vihear.
The meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, which reflected the goodwill
and sincerity on both sides.
The Foreign Ministers concurred that both countries should exercise utmost restraint
to avoid the possibility of armed confrontation, so that the current problem may
be settled through peaceful means. They both shared the view that existing bilateral
mechanisms should be used, including the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Thai-Cambodian
Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) which was set up by the
2000 Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary.
Both sides would recommend to their respective Governments to convene the next meeting
of the JBC as soon as possible to discuss issues related to the survey and demarcation
of the relevant sector under the Terms of Reference and Master Plan of the JBC (Khao
Sattasom/Phnom Sethisom – BP 1), following the next Foreign Ministers’ Meeting,
at which remaining matters would be discussed.
The Ministers would also recommend to their respective Governments, as a provisional
arrangement pending survey and demarcation by the JBC, to undertake:
1. De-mining of the area to be surveyed and demarcated by the JBC in a concerted
manner;
2. Setting up of a Temporary Coordinating Task Force comprising the relevant agencies
from both sides to address problems related to the area, including the Pagoda;
3. Redeploying both sides’ respective troops out of the “Keo Sikha Kiri Svara” Pagoda,
the area surrounding the Pagoda, and the Temple of Preah Vihear.
The Ministers noted that this arrangement shall be without prejudice to the rights
of both sides regarding the survey and demarcation within the framework of the JBC
and their legal positions.
The Thai Foreign Minister also noted that the Thai side’s undertaking would have
to be in accordance with Thailand’s constitutional and domestic legal requirements.
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