Once again, Cambodia and Thailand will return to the negotiation table in an attempt to resolve their border feud near the Preah Vihear World Heritage Site. Despite the number of clashes between troops of both sides and a small number of fatalities, there’s a sense that the governments really do not want to see open conflict erupt from this and are working hard to prevent this. The other major factor is, how do they negotiate this dispute without losing face and the perception that they’ve given up sovereignty?
Cambodia says dates set for Thai border talks
AFP, 03 November 2008
Cambodia Thailand Border Commission To Meet
RTT News, 02 November 2008
Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to restart talks aimed at resolving a long-running border dispute that last month claimed four lives, the Cambodian foreign ministry said Sunday.
Foreign ministers and border negotiators from the two countries will meet November 10-12 in Cambodia’s tourist hub Siem Reap to try to end a months-long military stand off, said Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Kuy Kuong.
The neighbours will also start hammering out a long-term solution to competing territorial claims along their joint border.
“We will talk about the technical issues and border demarcation,” Kuy Kuong said, adding that Cambodia was “more optimistic than ever that the upcoming talks will have a better result.”
