Thailand, Cambodia begin peace talks

Cambodian Buddhist monks stand in front of the entrance gate of Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, Sunday, July 20, 2008. A Cambodian general said Sunday that he has little hope that upcoming talks between his government and Thailand will resolve a tense border dispute that has seen hundreds of troops face off around an ancient temple.

The Associated Press Monday, July 21, 2008; 12:11 AM

Cambodian and Thai military leaders began talks Monday aimed at resolving a lingering dispute over territory near a World Heritage Site temple, where more than 4,000 troops from the two sides have been deployed.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed confidence that the meeting in this border town would produce "interim measures" to defuse tensions.

"I have full confidence that our joint efforts will result in a mutually satisfactory solution to (the) current problem," Hun Sen said in a letter to Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. The letter, dated Saturday, was seen Monday by The Associated Press.

Thailand's Supreme Commander Boonsrang Niempradit and Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh are attending the bilateral talks.

In Singapore, the two countries pledged a peaceful resolution to the standoff as 10 foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathered for their annual security meeting.

"We urged both sides to exercise utmost restraint and resolve this issue amicably," Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo told reporters late Sunday. "Both sides affirmed that they would ... exert their utmost efforts to find a peaceful solution to the issue."

The conflict over territory surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear Hindu temple escalated earlier this month when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site. Thai activists say the new status undermines Thailand's claim to 1.8 square miles around the temple.