THE THIRD and the final day of the General Border Committee (GBC) secretariat-level meeting started a little late this morning (Dec. 26) after the Khmer delegation chief asked for a private discussion with his Thai counterpart, PPTVHD36 said.
The Cambodian delegation arrived at Ban Phak Krad permanent border crossing in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province, at 9.05 a.m. with Col. Korvaranont Klanphromsuwan, assistant military attaché of the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, greeting Maj. Gen. Nhem Boraden, deputy head of the Office of the Minister of Defence, and the Cambodian team.
They then went to the third floor conference room of the Immigration Office building with the media only allowed to photograph the session for three minutes before it began.
While the Asean Observer Team (AOT) from Malaysia, stationed in Thailand, continued to observe the proceedings the AOT team from Cambodia also came to attend it with officials having to spend some time rearranging the meeting room.
It was reported that Maj. Gen. Nhem Boraden requested a private discussion with Lt. Gen. Nattapong Praokaew, deputy chief of staff of the Thai armed forces, in his capacity as chairman of the Thai side of the GBC secretariat, through an interpreter. This discussion lasted approximately one hour, leading to the full meeting starting at 10 a.m.
It is feared that the talks could collapse if Cambodia does not accept three Thai conditions with these being as follows:
1/ Cambodia must declare a ceasefire first;
2/ The ceasefire must be genuine and continuous;
3/ Cambodia must cooperate seriously and sincerely in clearing landmines.
Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has scheduled a meeting of the National Security Council and relevant agencies including Foreign Affairs and Defence ministries and the armed forces at 3 p.m. today to consider the possibility of Cambodia not accepting Thailand’s three terms, Amarin TV said.
Meanwhile the Second Army Region said this morning the Thai-Cambodian border was very tense all of yesterday, particularly in Sisaket and Surin provinces, while there were no significant movements in some other areas, with clashes involving long-range weapons continuing, Naewna newspaper said.
Phu Makheua peak and Preah Vihear temple adjacent to Khao Phra Viharn National Park, both in Sisaket, and Prasat Ta Kwai ancient temple in Surin remain high-risk areas with Cambodian forces providing heavy supporting fire, including artillery, mortars, BM-21 rockets and tanks, as well as using surveillance drones.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – The Cambodian delegation arriving for the final day of the GBC meeting. Photos – PPTVHD36
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