By The Nation, Agencies
Army chief says withdrawal will take time; govts still trying diplomacy
Phnom Penh -Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen placed the ball firmly in Thailand's court over the Preah Vihear issue, saying it was up to Bangkok to decide on withdrawing troops from the border.
Speaking to reporters in Phnom Penh, Hun Sen indicated that Thailand would have to pull out first.
"For us, there is no problem at all. The issue is that it is up to Thailand to decide to act. For us, [we are ready] any time," he said.
"The problem is the timing and how long it will take the Thai side to get a political decision from the govฌernment."
His comments came one day after Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and his Thai counterpart Tej Bunnag held talks on Monday in Siem Reap with a handful of top milฌitary officials from both countries.
The two countries agreed in prinฌciple to a redeployment of troops from the area near the 11thcentury Preah Vihear temple, where thousands of soldiers have been facing off for two weeks. After about 12 hours of talks, the foreign ministers said they would ask their governments to redeploy the troops.
Although the territorial disฌpute was not solved, the two sides agreed to continue to use "utmost restraint" to avoid an armed confrontation and to continue discussions on a bilateral basis.
Thailand's Army chief conฌfirmed that any withdrawal from the border area would take time.
"The resolution from the meeting between Cambodia and Thailand [on Monday] will help relieve tension and improve the situation," Anupong Paojinda said by phone.
"Reducing the troops at the border, however, needs an order from the govฌernment first."
But Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej sought to reassure the public, telling reporters: "The Foreign Ministry is talking to the milฌitary. Everything is fine."
"Both sides are convinced that the bilateral mechanism is still there for us to utilise," said Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat.
Prior to the Siem Reap meeting, Cambodia had appealed to both Asean and the United Nations Security Council to intervene in the border row. More than 1,500 troops from the two countries have been disฌpatched to the area.
"We carry pens and pencils," said Tharit. "We cannot speak for those who carry guns and weapons."
But Tharit claimed the Foreign Ministry had received assurances from the Thai military, which has a tendency to act independently of the government in Thailand, that they would avoid a confrontation at all costs.
"They confirmed that they said the first gunshot will not be from the Thai side, and if there is a first gunshot they will not immediately respond but investigate the source first," said the Thai foreign ministry spokesman, who attended the Siem Reap meeting.
Phnom Penh -Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen placed the ball firmly in Thailand's court over the Preah Vihear issue, saying it was up to Bangkok to decide on withdrawing troops from the border.
Speaking to reporters in Phnom Penh, Hun Sen indicated that Thailand would have to pull out first.
"For us, there is no problem at all. The issue is that it is up to Thailand to decide to act. For us, [we are ready] any time," he said.
"The problem is the timing and how long it will take the Thai side to get a political decision from the govฌernment."
His comments came one day after Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and his Thai counterpart Tej Bunnag held talks on Monday in Siem Reap with a handful of top milฌitary officials from both countries.
The two countries agreed in prinฌciple to a redeployment of troops from the area near the 11thcentury Preah Vihear temple, where thousands of soldiers have been facing off for two weeks. After about 12 hours of talks, the foreign ministers said they would ask their governments to redeploy the troops.
Although the territorial disฌpute was not solved, the two sides agreed to continue to use "utmost restraint" to avoid an armed confrontation and to continue discussions on a bilateral basis.
Thailand's Army chief conฌfirmed that any withdrawal from the border area would take time.
"The resolution from the meeting between Cambodia and Thailand [on Monday] will help relieve tension and improve the situation," Anupong Paojinda said by phone.
"Reducing the troops at the border, however, needs an order from the govฌernment first."
But Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej sought to reassure the public, telling reporters: "The Foreign Ministry is talking to the milฌitary. Everything is fine."
"Both sides are convinced that the bilateral mechanism is still there for us to utilise," said Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat.
Prior to the Siem Reap meeting, Cambodia had appealed to both Asean and the United Nations Security Council to intervene in the border row. More than 1,500 troops from the two countries have been disฌpatched to the area.
"We carry pens and pencils," said Tharit. "We cannot speak for those who carry guns and weapons."
But Tharit claimed the Foreign Ministry had received assurances from the Thai military, which has a tendency to act independently of the government in Thailand, that they would avoid a confrontation at all costs.
"They confirmed that they said the first gunshot will not be from the Thai side, and if there is a first gunshot they will not immediately respond but investigate the source first," said the Thai foreign ministry spokesman, who attended the Siem Reap meeting.
26 comments:
My beloved Khmers!
Hun SenVarman and Siam are blessfully delightful this exclusively masterful outcome of this election..Hun SenVarman is indirectly saying to Siam,
"Thank you my long beloved brother Tiger that you have suddenly made a nationalist, without you I could not easily win... now we bother can still victorically share millions dollar's temples money!
Once again, thank you very much, you pull our soldiers out first in order to save my face!"
"Reducing the troops at the border, however, needs an order from the govฌernment first."
Thai troops sent to Khmer territory without the order of the Thai government. But now, Thai troops ask the government to order the withdrawal troops. I really do not understant the Thai administration? how they work? this is a sign of division of Thai administration?
As a strongman of a country, he must show his muscle to the enemy, so next time they will never dare to invade us again. No talk of troop withdrawal.
My beloved 9:AM!
Are you confidently saying as a strongman of a country, he must unashamedly show his muschle to all Khmer people, especially all the oppositions parties, but not with his master Youn and his partner in crime, Siam!
Varman?!
Varman my asssss! Kand--y Mae vea!
Ah Hun Yuorn is a War-man.
Samdach Decho Hun Sen Should use Iron Fist/Steel Fist as he used to use within Cambodians..." But I think Khmer fight strongly only with Khmers...."
We ahve many Generals Excellencies Samdachs.. Ministers Deputy Minister Deputy Prime Ministers....
Governors..... Pleasde use Iron Fist NOT plastic Fist.."
The Khmer army is brave only with Khmer... this remind me about the Land Dispute with People in Cambodia... Thai understand well the Psycological Conditions of Khmers through land dispute while Armed forces are used to grab Lands by high Rank Officials,,Tycoons...I remember they also shot People Cows/buffollos when they walk around the Land of Tycoon Ly Yong Phat in Koh Kong... alot of cows/oxes...as animals were killed by our armies... BUT WHEN THE SIAMS CAME/COME IN OUR TERRITORY OUR GENERRALS ARMIES BECOME QUIET UNDER PRETEXT OF PEACEFUL PATIENT NEGOTIATION.....
"I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT KHER ARMY DO NOT DARE TO SHOT SIAMS ROBBERS....."
Please remember Copmpatriots....
Excellency Bandit General Oknha Achar Knoy= Phd. from Chea Chamreorun Unv. PPenh.
9:09AM, of course I am. The whole world know that Hun Sen is strongman.
9:15AM, allow me to take a little piece your comment: "Khmer fight strongly only with Khmers..." This piece of your comment reminds me when the Yuon fought the Khmer Rouge, who killed millions of their defenseless people, in just a short time. The reason why the Yuons fiercely fought the Khmer Rouge was that the Khmer Rouge sneaked into Vietname to killed about 400 Yuons villagers in Ha Tien in early 1978, (to see the picture, go to page 307 of BROTHER ENEMY written by Nayan Chanda). It took the Yuons about a few months to recruit and form their puppets before they took revenge of the Khmer Rouge, and as you said the Khmers who are as strong as Hun Sen, could not challenge their enemy.
Samdach Decho Hun Sen Should use Iron Fist/Steel Fist as he used to use within Cambodians..." But I think Khmer fight strongly only with Khmers...."
We ahve many Generals Excellencies Samdachs.. Ministers Deputy Minister Deputy Prime Ministers....
Governors..... Pleasde use Iron Fist NOT plastic Fist.."
The Khmer army is brave only with Khmer... this remind me about the Land Dispute with People in Cambodia... Thai understand well the Psycological Conditions of Khmers through land dispute while Armed forces are used to grab Lands by high Rank Officials,,Tycoons...I remember they also shot People Cows/buffollos when they walk around the Land of Tycoon Ly Yong Phat in Koh Kong... alot of cows/oxes...as animals were killed by our armies... BUT WHEN THE SIAMS CAME/COME IN OUR TERRITORY OUR GENERRALS ARMIES BECOME QUIET UNDER PRETEXT OF PEACEFUL PATIENT NEGOTIATION.....
"I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT KHER ARMY DO NOT DARE TO SHOT SIAMS ROBBERS....."
Please remember Copmpatriots....
Excellency Bandit General Oknha Achar Knoy= Phd. from Chea Chamreorun Unv. PPenh.
No need to take time. So easy to do, just walk back where they (Thai invader)come from. No need to wait from the government. You dare to enter Khmer land without your government, you man enough to walk back!
Down with the Thai aggression!
SAID is easier than DONE. Action speaks louder than words.
"..Thais take weeks to widraw(may be lie) Khmer nay time very short time this implies that the Power is in one man.." thais use times to study smartly with other experts../ hare opinions with other thai concerned bodies....
Excellency Achar knoy Phd.(in banditism) from Chea Chamroeurn Unv. PPenh
Ah Hun is a strong man indeed.
But did you guys know that he also a big idiot.
Strength + stupidity = Yourn dick eater.
Because ah Youn forbid Hun Sen to go to the UN.
What you guys perceive as a strong man is in fact a miserable little dog barking helplessly.
I wish Hun Sen dei very soon. please god bless my wish!!!
The real winner of this election is Sam Rainsy party. Before the election, Hun Sen (CeePeePee) tried hard to divide SRP member such as buying SR MPs, active members, filing court... After the election, the seats of SRP still increase while CPP spent million million of US dollars to compaign. As I see at least CeePeePee used 100.000 USD for compaigning in bone comune.
Hun Sen being Youn's puppet, right now crap has more value that him.
I wonder if he can still look at in the mirror in the morning?
You have fallen very low.
A blind mad dog like him and all of his cronies don't care about whatever decent people are saying. What they care the most is the fact that from now he has his firm grip on everything. Tones of money will flow endlessly into warehouses of his extended families.Every decent person can see that this blind mad dog does not fit in such a high position.
it seem uselee to have negotiation with thief, bull-shit thai, but government appriciate it.
To negotiate with thief meas our government is very weak...
10:36 AM
Don't worry! Your wish will come rather sooner than you've expected.
Remember during the political campaign when the CPP guys stopped the Chinese funeral procession? That's a bad omen.
Of course, anything could happen to ah Hun at any time now.
Yes, you wish will come true.
Sorry, but your Cambodian prime minister is an idiot. Do you think he can go against our military might?
If your prime minister dare to take the initiative, he'll lose, and the rest of Cambodian people will return to stoneage.
Also, every nations in the world knows that your prime minister is so damn stupid and reckless. And now he wants to play with us. This guy must be crazy. This is a suicidal.
Tell your prime minister to stop barking like a mad dog.
My Prime Minsiter is A STRONG MAN Sir,.....in case thief come to his home to attacke he"ll talk with thieft not to attack... he may know that Thief is stronger than him......
But in his family he the strongest..........
He respects to the Thief Rights,,,,
Not attack... just negotiate with thief......
9:24 AM
Sure, just a big fish in Cambodian pond. I don't think this fish wants to get out to the open water, like othr rivers or ocean.
There are many fish like that in Cambodian small ponds.
If you don't believe me, please examine the recent territorial spat between us and Thailand. The so-called "strong man" does not even dare to play in an open water, because it might get eaten by other fish.
Oh! On the other day, I saw our FM Hong and the newly elected Thai FM, the Thai FM appeared to be more presentable and creditable. Plus, our FM, Hong, talks funny (should I say like idiot).
most educated kunthai understood that PV is belong to Khmer but the PAD is dragging thai into war.
War is not a choice for us Khmer, khmer has been living through to war. We can handle this fight if it breaks out.
Luckily, we never ask our people living in Thailand to rise up while the turmoil in the south of thailand is flaming up.
If we recall the provinces from thailand, there are alot of them. For accepting the way the history is we just want to stay in peace.
We accepted that brother thai.
I am proud of of khmer that so many years of chaos and war they have acted very professionally in approaching thai diplomatically but thai rejected in term of working things out diplomatically. Since thai in peace for over 100 years and hardly have big war they should be more acting proffessionally.
Khmer Pride,
You khmer people hate your own prime minister and your nation. That's why you are a loser.
Thailand - the land of the free and love.
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