The defense ministries of Cambodia and Thailand released a joint statement today saying that the two countries will work together to fight all forms of illegal cross-border activities, including illegal logging.
"Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation to prevent and crack down on illegal activities along the border such as drug trafficking, illegal logging and illegal border crossing," said a joint statement released by the Cambodian defense ministry. "Moreover, the two ministers vowed to release only accurate and positive information in regard to border issues in order to strengthen mutual trust and respect."
Tempers flared during border talks in February when Cambodia claimed Thai forces often resorted to violence against Cambodian loggers who were after now-protected Siamese rosewood. The Phnom Penh Post reported at the time that 45 Cambodian loggers had been shot and killed inside Thailand in 2012.
Many of the logging conflicts occurred in the disputed territory around Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua. Thailand claims the scrubby forest adjacent to the temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Last month, both countries delivered statements to the World Court in the Netherlands, which is expected to issue a decision on who owns the disputed land around the temple later this year.
This promise of international cooperation in addition to CITES endangered list could ensure the survival of the tree and decreased violence in the region.
