The Thai-Cambodian Joint Working Group (JWG) has agreed to survey the provisional demilitarised zone (PDZ) around Preah Vihear temple and clear all landmines in the area by April next year, Supreme Commander Gen Tanasak Patimapakorn said on Thursday.
This was agreed at the Thai-Cambodian JWG meeting on Dec 18-19 co-chaired by Cambodian Deputy Defence Minister Gen Neang Phat and Gen Padetkarn Chansewok, head of Thailand's joint chiefs of staff.
Gen Tanasak said that at the meeting the two countries agreed to send teams to determine the exact locations of demarcating posts A, B, C and D of the PDZ, and to speed up the clearing of landmines in the area.
He said the work would be completed by April next year. This would also be a good complement to the launch of the Asean Community as it would ensure the safety of those who want to visit the area.
Gen Tanasak said the JWG had not yet discussed bringing Indonesian observers into the area. The Indonesians would only be allowed to see whether the PDZ, as fixed by the International Court of Justice, was suitable or if it required alteration.
Even with the PDZ marked, the sovereignty of the two countries would remain the same, he said.
He said the two countries were in agreement that the area must be safe.
The time-frame for the completion of mine clearance by April had nothing to do with the fact that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would invite the two countries to testify before it in an oral hearing over the Preah Vihear dispute. This matter would handled by the Foreign Ministry, Gen Tanasak said.
The ICJ on July 18 last year ordered Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their troops from the 17.3 sq km PDZ around Preah Vihear temple after Cambodia petitioned it to reinterpret its 1962 verdict granting Cambodia sovereignty over the temple and its 4.6 sq km surrounding area.
Gen Tanasak said the JWG is responsible only for talks. Any decision regarding regulations and boundary must be made by the General Border Committee chaired by Defence Minister ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat.
Issues involving sovereignty or requiring parliamentary approval under Section 190 of the constitution are to be decided by the government, he said.