The prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to continue to demarcate and demine their common border, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Thursday.
“We together have agreed to demine along the border. The demining has two interests: It will allow citizens of Cambodia and Thailand to exchange their goods without endangering their lives, and will allow us to demarcate the border clearly,” he said.
“I would like to say that any solution must be through negotiations that include showing legal documents, friendship and understanding. We cannot use any other ways to solve border issues with Thailand, Vietnam or Laos,” Hor Namhong said.
The talks took place during Prime Minister Hun Sen’s three-day official visit to Thailand to meet with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and discuss trade, roads and expanded economic cooperation.
Hun Sen did not comment upon his return Thursday at Pochentong Airport.
Hor Namhong said there were no discussions this week about recent allegations that Thai border police shot at several Cambodians who tripped a land mine while illegally crossing the border. The allegations have been disputed by officials at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh.
Thailand pledged to help Cambodia construct a road linking Anlong Veng through Banteay Srei to Siem Reap. Thaksin said Wednesday the road project will be funded with $6.7 million.
Commenting on negotiations over a UN-assisted tribunal of former Khmer Rouge officials, Hor Namhong said Cambodian officials are considering a letter from UN legal expert Hans Corell that addresses the world body’s concerns about the government’s tribunal plan. He declined to be more specific about the letter.
Hor Namhong said trials for Khmer Rouge detainees Duch and Ta Mok will be held even if they must be released from prison when their three-year pretrial detention periods expire next year.
