12th January, 2009
By Huy Vannak
Radio Free Asia
Reported in English by Khmerization
Mr. Kanharith told reporters: "I wish to inform you that, after the Asean Summit, there will be a bilateral talk. Normally, the Asean Summit has their own agenda. We have to respect the international norm and discuss what is in the meeting agenda. But Cambodia reserves the right to , first, discuss the Preah Vihear issue with the Thai prime minister. And second, if the talk has not resulted in any positive outcomes, Cambodia reserves the right to inform the international press about the situation in Preah Vihear."
The Asean Summit will take place on 27th February and ends on 1st March, 2009 in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Thailand's prime minister, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, told Thai media in Bangkok yesterday that he hopes that the Cambodian prime minister will not raise the Preah Vihear issue at the Asean Summit.
He added that, in principle, regarding the border issues, Thailand has agreed with everything, that is to use the 2000's Memorandum of Understanding as a base for the negotiation.
Dr. Sok Touch, Cambodian professor of political science said that Thailand does not want the world to know about the Preah Vihear disputes with Cambodia because in the last few decades Thailand continues to have numerous border disputes their neighbours such as with Laos, Burma and Malaysia.
Cambodia and Thailand planned to demarcate the borders around Preah Vihear in December 2008, but due to political turmoil in Thailand the demarcation works have been postponed.
