Thailand agrees to withdraw its troops
Cambodian and Thai military officials met yesterday morning to discuss the implementation of the International Court of Justice’s ruling on Preah Vihear, with both sides pledging to keep the peace and the Thais agreeing to withdraw to the new line of demarcation.
Monday’s judgment declared that Cambodia had sovereignty over the promontory of Preah Vihear and that Thailand was obliged to withdraw all its forces stationed in the area – which the court clarified was the “vicinity” of the temple.
In a meeting held yesterday, Cambodian General Srey Doek and his Thai counterpart, General Tarakorn Thammavinton, said the ICJ’s decision would be implemented in due course, but agreed that further consultation would be necessary to determine the exact line of demarcation and to establish a timeline for the withdrawal.
“The Thai side will withdraw the troops as the ICJ ruled by following government policy, and we have to take time to follow the border committee,” Tarakorn said, referring to the Cambodia-Thai Border Committee. “The Thai side guarantees to Cambodia that it will not allow a clash to happen, and that there weren’t any Thai people who protested near the border.” …
May Titthara and Stuart White
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/thailand-agrees-withdraw-its-troops
