On 27 October 2008, Mr. Eric John, Ambassador of the United States of America to Thailand, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Sompong Amornvivat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Gists as follows:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong briefed the U.S. Ambassador on the latest development of border issue between Thailand and Cambodia for which Thailand had appointed the new Chairman of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) last week and further informed the latter that the negotiating framework of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) would be submitted to the Parliament tomorrow (28 October 2008). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong also informed the U.S. Ambassador that he had a fruitful discussion on the matter with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, his Cambodian counterpart, during 7th ASEM in Beijing. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong further reiterated Thailand’s position to use the existing bilateral mechanisms to resolve the border issue.
Regarding Cambodian’s complaint with UNESCO about Thai troops damaged an ancient temple during a border clash on 15 October 2008, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong stated the fact that Thai soldiers who were fired upon by Cambodian troops in the vicinity of Pha Mor I Daeng used only rifles in self-defense
Furthermore, both sides discussed other issues such as Laotian Hmongs and political and democratic developments in Myanmar and also reaffirmed to strengthen close and cordial relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.