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| Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon |
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has supported
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's demand that Cambodia withdraw its
troops from the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area around Preah Vihear
before Indonesia sends its observers there.
"The prime minister has spoken clearly about this and the armed forces are of the same opinion," Gen Prawit said on Monday.
"Cambodian soldiers must withdraw from the disputed area before any other steps can be taken."
Gen Prawit said that there should be a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) first, to explore ways of enabling Thai and Cambodian troops to both stay in place before an agreed terms of reference is signed to allowed the Indonesian observers into the disputed area.
"Cambodian soldiers must withdraw from the disputed area before any other steps can be taken."
Gen Prawit said that there should be a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) first, to explore ways of enabling Thai and Cambodian troops to both stay in place before an agreed terms of reference is signed to allowed the Indonesian observers into the disputed area.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong
were today due to meet in Jakarta to try and find a way out after the
two sides remained deadlocked because Cambodia insisted it would not
withdraw its troops from the disputed area around Phreah Vihear, which
it terms its "own territory", as demanded by Thailand.
Gen Prawit said he hoped the two sides could finally agree on a common ground.
A Defence Ministry source said Gen Prawit will attend the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) in Indonesia on May 18 to 21.
He is expected to discuss with Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh preparations for the 8th GBC meeting, even though Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wants Thailand to allow Indonesian observers into the disputed area before proceeding with bilateral meetings, said the source.
Meanwhile, a group of Cambodian illegal loggers fired five rocket-propelled grenades at Thai border police in Si Sa Ket province then retreated in the face of retaliatory gunfire on Sunday night.
Police on Monday said a 16-strong border patrol came across the timber poachers while patrolling a wildlife conservation area in Si Sa Ket's Phu Sing district.
The loggers fired five RPGs at the border police, who fired back using an M79 grenade launcher and M16 assault rifles. The fighting lasted about five minutes and then the interlopers fled.
On Monday morning police found bloodstains and large supply of food in the area. At least two loggers were believed to have been injured during the clash.
The area is definitely in Thai territority since it is about 10 kilometres from the Cambodian border, police said.
Gen Prawit said he hoped the two sides could finally agree on a common ground.
A Defence Ministry source said Gen Prawit will attend the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) in Indonesia on May 18 to 21.
He is expected to discuss with Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh preparations for the 8th GBC meeting, even though Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wants Thailand to allow Indonesian observers into the disputed area before proceeding with bilateral meetings, said the source.
Meanwhile, a group of Cambodian illegal loggers fired five rocket-propelled grenades at Thai border police in Si Sa Ket province then retreated in the face of retaliatory gunfire on Sunday night.
Police on Monday said a 16-strong border patrol came across the timber poachers while patrolling a wildlife conservation area in Si Sa Ket's Phu Sing district.
The loggers fired five RPGs at the border police, who fired back using an M79 grenade launcher and M16 assault rifles. The fighting lasted about five minutes and then the interlopers fled.
On Monday morning police found bloodstains and large supply of food in the area. At least two loggers were believed to have been injured during the clash.
The area is definitely in Thai territority since it is about 10 kilometres from the Cambodian border, police said.
Bangkok Post
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