Monday, July 21, 2008

Cambodia sees little hope for Thai talks

Thai soldiers carry food inside a Cambodian Buddhist temple complex which they have occupied near Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, Sunday, July 20, 2008. Cambodia complained to the U.N. Security Council that Thai forces have violated its territory near a World Heritage Site temple, as more than 4,000 troops from the two sides were deployed in the border region Sunday. (AP Photo/Str)

By SOPHENG CHEANG

PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia and Thailand will begin talks Monday aimed at resolving a lingering dispute over territory near an World Heritage Site temple, where more than 4,000 troops from the two sides have been deployed.

Cambodia's mission at the United Nations has submitted a letter to the chairman of the Security Council and the chairman of the General Assembly to "draw their attention to the current situation on the Cambodian-Thai border," Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Sunday.

"Cambodia is not asking for U.N. intervention. We still stick to Prime Minister Hun Sen's instructions to try to solve the problem peacefully between the two sides," the minister said.

The conflict over territory surrounding the ancient 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 the compound of a nearby Buddhist pagoda.

Based on estimates by commanders and AP reporters on both sides of the border, more than 4,000 troops have been deployed around the temple and in the immediate border region since last Tuesday.

In his letter Friday to the Security Council, Cambodian U.N. Ambassador Sea Kosal said the action by Thai troops was aimed at creating "a de facto overlapping area that legally does not exist on Cambodian soil." A copy of the letter was obtained by The Associated Press on Sunday.

The atmosphere appeared relaxed, despite the close proximity of the two forces at the site.

Opposing commanders and their troops have tried to defuse tensions, sometimes even sharing meals, snapping photographs and sleeping within easy sight of each other.

"Some of these soldiers (the Cambodians and the Thais) have known one another a long time and they have good relationships. The soldiers on both sides understand each other," Thai field commander Col. Chayan Huaysoongnern told reporters.

A Cambodian general, however, said he had little hope that the talks Monday between his government and Thailand would resolve the matter.

Cambodian Brig. Gen. Chea Keo said Thai troops have deployed artillery about half a mile northeast of Preah Vihear temple.

"Regarding the talks tomorrow, we have little hope about the outcome," Chea Keo said, citing Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's insistence that the area around the Buddhist temple belongs to Thailand.

While urging both sides to exercise restraint, Samak wrote in a letter to Hun Sen that a settlement of Cambodians in the area constituted "a continued violation of Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Associated Press writers Ambika Ahuja in Bangkok, Thailand, Ker Munthit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Vijay Joshi in Singapore contributed to this report.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

DEAR COMPATRIOTS,
WE SHOULD ASK OURSELVES WHY HUN XEN IS EXTREMELY ANXIOUS TO NEGOCIATE WITH SAMAK AND DOESN’T WANT TO TAKE THE PREAH VIHEAR ISSUE TO the UN, the International Court of Justice or the Association of South East Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Forum.
I AM TELLING YOU WHY!
THE REASON IS HUN XEN WANTS TO HIDE THE SECRET AGREEMENT THAT HE SIGNED WITH SAMAK AND GAVE SIAM THE 4.6 SQUARE KILOMETRES OF THE SURROUNDING AREAS OF KHMER TEMPLE PREAH VIHEAR IN EXCHANGE TO GET THEIR SUPPORT TO LIST OUR TEMPLE AS World Heritage site and further HIS OWN BUSINESS INTERESTS WITH THAI POLITICIANS (SAMAK, TAKSIN...) TO EXPLOIT THE TEMPLE.

HIS FIRST BETRAYAL WAS ON 11th NOVEMBER 2006
IN SIGNING THE SUPPLEMENTAL TREATY, HE HAD PAID TRIBUTE TO HIS YUON MASTER, OUR LAND, OUR ISLE KOH TRAL, OUR SEA!
THIS MAN IS A TRAITOR TO OUR NATION!
REMOVE HIM BY VOTING SAM RAINSY IN THE 26 JULY ELECTION!

PLEASE READ THIS BELOW ARTICLE
Tuesday July 01, 2008

Bangkok Post PostBag

PAD fooling the people
I cannot believe the lunatics at the PAD have actually got the Thai people and the Puea Pandin party fooled over the Preah Vihear temple.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The line was drawn by the French in 1904, the International Court of Justice ruled on it in 1962,

“and the new line agreed by the Thai and Cambodian government actually brings more land into Thailand than the old map.

If the Cambodian government is happy to concede some land to the Thais while retaining the temple that is, and has always been, on Cambodian soil, then it is a win for the Thai government.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is just another example of the PAD stirring up issues trying to validate its existence. The fact that Puea Pandin party has weighed into it is disappointing; you would expect them to know better.

As for the Democrats, I hope they find the same demise the Australian Democrats recently have. Throwing stones at the government is good fun, but if you are never going to get a chance to run the country then it's a choice you can make without fear of having to prove you can do a better job.

The last Australian Democrats were voted out in November from the Senate and, as of July 1, the Democrats will be dead in Australia. Hopefully, the Thai Democrats will become history in the near future.

SHANNON CRANE
Gold Coast, Australia

Anonymous said...

Hun se does want to negociate with siam to save his business.

Othewise how could he persist to ask to negociate with the thieves.

I can't believe that he is a peaceful man!

Anonymous said...

This strong man is only very strong
with his own people but arse licker with the imperialist neighbours.
He and his family will be damned forever.

Anonymous said...

Wow Pol Pot legacy is still alive.
Errr ThaiPolPot keep eating you will shit with nail and fish hooks.

Anonymous said...

Just imagine if khmer troops were in THAI's soil.You can bet the Thai will kick us out in a matter of second.How pathetic khmers are.The Thai occupy our land and we did nothing to dislodge them.HUN SEN should resign now and demote yourself from 5 star general to corporal.This samdech akeak moha sena sen khlach siam is truly a shamful to the khmer nation.

Anonymous said...

The Siam want to use the ASEAN to their advantage.

The Siam broke International Law, Cambodia give them the chance to withdraw their troops and their refuse.

This is the UN business now, only the UN can force the Siam to withdraw their troops.

If Cambodia linger on this crisis further more the Siam will turn the situation into their advantage.

Cambodia must call the UN assistance to stabilize the situation.

Right now the Siam government is looking for a way to tern the situation into their advantage.

Cambodia should not let this happens, we must act quickly.

Anonymous said...

Now you've learnt what the real patriotixm is! You still remember when anyone in Camboidia ever mentioned about Kampuchea Krom then Mr. Hun's will use his strong and intimidating tone to reserve coffin for the dares (SIC). Now what? You see Primier that the Thai bastards just know well about PATRIOTIXM THAN YOU DO! YOU PRIMIER JUST KNOW AND LEARN TO KILL THE PATRIOTIXM, THE PASSIONATE AND DEEP AFFECTION FOR THE COUTRY! U NEVER KNOW AND NEVER INCLUDE HOW TO UNITE THE POEPLE, LEAD THE PEOPLE TO glory in your long-term plan(or your government is merely full of incapable corrupted officers!!!)Now it's not too late to learn and realize how patriotixm works for your poorm torn-apart country? Don't just ESTABLISH THE SYSTEM THAT SERVES ONLY YOUR FAMILY CLAN! WAKE UP MAN AND PROVE HOW GOOD YOU ARE! SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT FOR THE COUNTRY NOT JUST YOUR CUTTHROAT SKILL TO VANISH THE PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T LIKE!!!!!!!!!!

PATRIOT!!!!!!!!! AND MANY MORE ....

Anonymous said...

Another massacre is coming!

Please, vote CPP to stop it before it's too late like last time in the 70's.

Anonymous said...

If the Cambodia does not act quickly the Siam turn this nonchalant behavior of Cambodia into an alibi to
rededicate the land and then the Temple.

This will invalidate 1907 French-Thai Treaty, and will lose really big.

So call the UN assistance after the Monday meeting.

Don't wait.

Anonymous said...

Now the THAI want and occupy the area around Preah vihear,what is next on their agenda ? BATTAMBANG?,SIEMREAP ? or P.PENH ? win or loose we have to flexe our muscle now.At least do something to show the world that we are not coward.This akeak moha sena kbal ach is strong only against his own people but with the stronger foe ,he's truly a PAPER TIGER. Remove your five star from your uniform now.

Anonymous said...

Those are pending investigation. If the French stole it from Khmer in Thailand. It must also be returned to Thailand.

Anonymous said...

Now you want to play this political card? Ok so here's the scenario: Perhaps you know you will gain some part of the territory coz you have
know that based on the ICJ'S VERDICT AND THE FRANCO-A SIAM BASTARD-TREATY, YOU MORON STUPID THAIS WILL NVER HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. Or coz you base your invasion on any treaties signed by FOOLISH AND CORRUPTED POEPLE IN CAMBODIA GOVERNMENT, SO THAT'S WHY YOU ARE SO SURE TO WIN THE CASE. OR YOU WILL RELEASE THE SECRET THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF CAM DOES NOT WANT THE PUBLIC TO HEAR AS FOR YOUR WINNING TOOLS? OR TO PROVE THAT SAMAK GOVERNMENT HAS MADE WRONG DECISION WITH THE PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE AND TOPPLE THE GOVERNMENT?

Now WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY AH THAI CHKOUT?

KHMER EMPIRE

Anonymous said...

Cambodia needs the support of our Chinese and North Korean friends. It is a waste of time to negotiate with the Thai baboons. Cambodia should launch ballistic missiles to Downtown Bangkok. Without sending them a strong message, they will remain arrogant and ignorant.

Anonymous said...

Dear all,

Let's not fighting with each other, khmer and khmer. This is the time that we should together as one. Let's focus on helping our troop who are protecting our land at the border around the country. We should ask ourselves, are we contributing enough to our heros who stand along the border to protect our motherland from all invaders... Are we doing enough to keep those hero healthy? are we providing enough food for them? Are we providing them enough weapons and moral and psychological support to face with invader's psychological warfare? Let's be as one... One khmer, one nation and one spirit!!!!