U.S. Urges Cambodia- Thailand to Exercise Restraint on Border Issue

CAMBODIA, PHNOM PENH, FEB 01, 2011-Derek Mitchell, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense, Asian and Pacific security affairs on Monday urged Cambodia – Thailand to exercise restraints over border issues between the two countries and especially area near the 11th century Khmer Preah Vihear temple.

Derek told the media briefing at the US embassy in Phnom Penh after concluding his three- day visit here: “Actually, I raised the issues with Tea Banh (Cambodian defense minister) about the situation there and I asked the questions. It happened. While I am in Manila before coming here, I heard about the border issues (between the two countries)”. He replied the questions from the reporters.

“The US position I think is very quite consistence on this. We call for all both sides to exercise restraint to deal with peaceful manner. And lower tension over the situation… so that it is the most important thing and here is the Cambodian perspective.” He told the media.

“It is not a real specific topic or on the agenda during my visit but it is useful for us to be engaged…we have to talk, he said.

The tension of border issues between the two countries occurred again after Thai PM told Thai media that Cambodia has to move the flag and destroyed the pagoda nearby the temple. Cambodia rejected the comments and called that comment “unacceptable and insulting demand” because the flag and the pagoda near the temple are in Cambodia territory.

Cambodian and Thai Foreign Ministers have plan to meet on bilateral cooperation committee at Siem Reap Province, home of Angkor Wat temple on February 3-4 this year.

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