The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Bangkok

Thailand said Tuesday that it may be weeks before it can withdraw troops from a disputed border zone with Cambodia, after high-level talks which officials said had eased the military standoff. The foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia agreed at talks Monday to ask their governments to redeploy the thousands of troops stationed around a small patch of land near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple. However, no firm steps were taken and a Thai foreign ministry official said the government in Bangkok may ask parliament for approval first, which could delay the process by several weeks.

"Both countries need to pass their domestic legitimacy processes," ministry spokesman Tharit Charunvat told AFP.

The Thai army commander responsible for the border area confirmed that any withdrawal could be delayed.

"The redeployment process takes time and it needs to pass a high-level process first," Major General Kanok Netrakasana told AFP.

Still, both countries agreed that the 12-hour talks in Cambodia's Siem Reap had served to defuse tension surrounding the border issue.

"The resolution from the meeting between Cambodia and Thailand will help relieve tension and improve the situation," army chief Anupong Paojinda said.

"Lowering the troops at the border, however, needs to receive an order from the government first," he told AFP by phone.

"The situation is now a little bit better than in past days. Soldiers keep their weapons in one place and are walking around," said Major General Srey Dik, commander of Cambodian forces in the disputed area.