Bangkok Post 11 July 2012
ByThanida Tansubhapol and Wassana Nanuam

PMs Could Discuss Withdrawal

PHNOM PENH : Planned withdrawals by Thai and Cambodian troops from the demilitarised zone near the Preah Vihear temple may be discussed between the two country's leaders on Friday in Siem Reap, a senior Thai official says.

Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkaew said it will be up to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra whether to raise the issue in talks with Hun Sen, her Cambodian counterpart.

Mr Sihasak made the remarks yesterday after the Asean Plus Three Senior Officials' Meeting in Phnom Penh.

Ms Yingluck will be in Siem Reap on Friday to attend the United States-Asean Business Forum and is scheduled to meet Hun Sen at 3pm before the forum begins.

The pullout of Thai and Cambodian troops made headlines again after the Bangkok Post reported on Monday that Cambodia was expected to announce a withdrawal from around the temple to coincide with the official start of the 45th Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting in Phnom Penh.

Following the Bangkok Post report, Koy Koung, spokesman for Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told China's official Xinhua news agency on Monday that Cambodia would be willing to pull out troops but stopped short of announcing a withdrawal.

"We are not announcing a troop pullout, but will do it in the near future. It will be good if Thailand is also willing to comply with the court' s directive," Mr Koy said, referring to an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to withdraw troops from a demilitarised zone in the area surrounding the temple.

Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Khanharith said he could not confirm anything about the withdrawal since he had only heard about it from Thai media reports.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who attended the foreign ministers meeting, said he had not discussed the issue with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong during the talks.

However, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said in Bangkok that he believed Cambodia wants to "replace", not withdraw its presence in the disputed area.

"Judging from the news reports I've heard it seems Cambodia wants to replace soldiers with police," he said.

Bangkok and Phnom Penh were ordered by the ICJ last year to pull their troops from the 17.3 square kilometre area around the Hindu ruins and a 4.6 sq km border area which is claimed by both countries.

The ICJ wants the two countries to ensure the zone is demilitarised while it considers Phnom Penh's petition seeking confirmation as to which country actually owns the 4.6 sq km border area.

Both countries agreed at a Joint Working Group meeting late last month to complete clearing landmines from the area before withdrawing soldiers.

But this agreement is separate from what Gen Prayuth believes is a troop adjustment by Cambodia.

"If Cambodia wants to adjust their forces or we want to adjust ours, that is the affair of each country and both can do it," he said.

He said Thailand has occasionally adjusted its troop deployments, too.

Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said Phnom Penh does intend to withdraw, yet expressed surprise at Cambodia's latest move, saying it was possibly intended to "put pressure on Thailand" before the ICJ issues its ruling next year.