11/11/2009
Bangkok Post
The cabinet has revoked a memorandum of understanding on the overlapping maritime boundary with Cambodia but it will not take effect until it is approved by parliament.
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn yesterday said the cabinet decided to scrap the MoU because former prime minister Thaksin knew the Thai position and details which could put Thailand in a disadvantageous position, and negotiations between the two countries had made little progress over the past eight years.
''We haven't benefited from this MoU because Cambodia has not cooperated in abiding by the framework set by this MoU that much,'' said Mr Panitan.
The MoU was signed in 2001 when Thaksin was prime minister. Its main goal is to demarcate the territorial waters and jointly explore natural gas and oil reserves in the area.
The cabinet will now seek parliamentary approval to annul the MoU.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the cabinet needed to urgently propose the termination of the MoU to parliament because the current parliamentary session will end on Nov 28.
Meanwhile, a joint session of the two houses yesterday withdrew the agreed minutes of the Joint Boundary Commission on the joint survey and demarcation of the disputed area around the Preah Vihear temple. Members of the two houses voted 314 to 35 to withdraw it from the agenda.
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn yesterday said the cabinet decided to scrap the MoU because former prime minister Thaksin knew the Thai position and details which could put Thailand in a disadvantageous position, and negotiations between the two countries had made little progress over the past eight years.
''We haven't benefited from this MoU because Cambodia has not cooperated in abiding by the framework set by this MoU that much,'' said Mr Panitan.
The MoU was signed in 2001 when Thaksin was prime minister. Its main goal is to demarcate the territorial waters and jointly explore natural gas and oil reserves in the area.
The cabinet will now seek parliamentary approval to annul the MoU.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the cabinet needed to urgently propose the termination of the MoU to parliament because the current parliamentary session will end on Nov 28.
Meanwhile, a joint session of the two houses yesterday withdrew the agreed minutes of the Joint Boundary Commission on the joint survey and demarcation of the disputed area around the Preah Vihear temple. Members of the two houses voted 314 to 35 to withdraw it from the agenda.
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