Cambodia asks border dispute with Thailand be on ASEAN summit agenda+

AP

October 12, 2009

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 12 (AP) - (Kyodo)—The Cambodian government proposed Monday that its border dispute with Thailand be on the agenda of summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders and their dialogue partners later this month in Hua Hin, Thailand.

The proposal was made in a letter to Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya from Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

"I would like to propose the dispute between Cambodia and Thailand in the area of the Temple of Preah Vihear be included in the agenda of the ASEAN summit in Hua Hin, on 23-25 October 2009," he wrote.

Hor Namhong made the proposal four days after Bangkok Post Online published an article quoting Kasit as seeking ASEAN arbitration in setting up a neutral organization that may provide a venue for Thailand and Cambodia to settle the dispute.

The dispute between Cambodia and Thailand erupted last year after Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple was listed as a World Heritage.

The dispute stems partly from the use of different border maps.

Two weeks ago, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said he will never have talks with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on the 4.6 sq. km area near the temple as long as his counterpart uses a map drawn up by Thailand.

The premier also alleged the border dispute was caused by internal problems in Thailand.
Since the border issue erupted, many rounds of talks at different levels, including the defense and foreign ministerial levels, have been held but a solution has proved elusive.