Thailand, Cambodia to discuss troop redeployment next month

Published : November 29, 2011 :: 10:11:41 [ 1,210 views ]

Thailand, Cambodia to discuss troop redeployment next month

BANGKOK, Nov 28 - A Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting is scheduled in Cambodia next month when the military of the two countries will discuss the redeployment of soldiers stationed at the border, according to Thai Defence Minister Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa.

Gen Yutthasak said the upcoming GBC meeting will be held in Cambodia and now the Thai authorities are awaiting from Cambodia to confirm details of the gathering.

He said the content Thailand would bring up at the meeting has been approved by Parliament as required by the Constitution.

Redeployment of troops will be discussed at the meeting, he said, adding that the gathering would be held in a positive atmosphere.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 18 ordered Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their troops from the newly defined demilitarised zone in a disputed portion of their border around the historic Preah Vihear temple while urging both countries to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to agree to allow the regional bloc’s
observers to enter the disputed zone.

Thailand and Cambodia earlier agreed to follow the ICJ’s order and use the GBC to consider details in implementing the court’s order.

At the GBC meeting, it is expected that both sides will specify the forces to replace soldiers at Preah Vihear in accordance with the court order.

Report by : MCOT