By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
31 July 2008
As Cambodian and Thai officials sought to resolve the continued military standoff at Preah Vihear temple, former king Norodom Sihanouk re-issued a statement this week saying he was willing to raise an army if the Thais invaded the country.
Sihanouk is scheduled to leave for Beijing Friday for the opening of the 2008 Summer Olympics, but he posted in his weekly Bulletin Mensuel de Documentation, or BMD, on Monday, "even though I am getting older, I would go to the bush to attack a Thai invasion."
The statement used the French word "maquis" for bush, a reference to raising resistance.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said neither war nor violence would not be an option in the standoff, which began July 15 when Thai troops occupied a pagoda near Preah Vihear temple.
Thousands of soldiers are deployed on each side of the border, as well as tanks, artillery and other heavy weapons.
The BMD message was a reposting of statements Sihanouk made following anit-Thai riots in Phnom Penh in 2003, and they met with mixed support from current Cambodian officials.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, a former adviser to Sihanouk, said the words carried as much meaning as they had five years ago.
"Even though he wrote it in 2003, until now it reflects his own views," Prince Thomico said.
"Even though he's getting old, he still has resistance to maintain our heritage, especially our Preah Vihear land, which he won in the Hague in 1962," said Funcinpec lawmaker Khieu Son, a former military officer under Lon Nol and Sihanouk.
CPP adviser Dien Del, former commander-in-chief during the Lon Nol and Sangkum Reastr Nyum regimes, said Thursday he had not seen the king's statement, but added the Preah Vihear crisis should be solved through peaceful negotiation.
"Don't forget that we are smaller than Thailand," he said. "Please give time to the politicians so that they can negotiate in a peaceful way, because war is difficult and the Thais have more troops than us and more modern weapons."
"I am now 76 years old, so I cannot lead the armed forces to fight any more," Dien Del said. "We cannot knock our heads with iron."
Sihanouk is scheduled to leave for Beijing Friday for the opening of the 2008 Summer Olympics, but he posted in his weekly Bulletin Mensuel de Documentation, or BMD, on Monday, "even though I am getting older, I would go to the bush to attack a Thai invasion."
The statement used the French word "maquis" for bush, a reference to raising resistance.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said neither war nor violence would not be an option in the standoff, which began July 15 when Thai troops occupied a pagoda near Preah Vihear temple.
Thousands of soldiers are deployed on each side of the border, as well as tanks, artillery and other heavy weapons.
The BMD message was a reposting of statements Sihanouk made following anit-Thai riots in Phnom Penh in 2003, and they met with mixed support from current Cambodian officials.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, a former adviser to Sihanouk, said the words carried as much meaning as they had five years ago.
"Even though he wrote it in 2003, until now it reflects his own views," Prince Thomico said.
"Even though he's getting old, he still has resistance to maintain our heritage, especially our Preah Vihear land, which he won in the Hague in 1962," said Funcinpec lawmaker Khieu Son, a former military officer under Lon Nol and Sihanouk.
CPP adviser Dien Del, former commander-in-chief during the Lon Nol and Sangkum Reastr Nyum regimes, said Thursday he had not seen the king's statement, but added the Preah Vihear crisis should be solved through peaceful negotiation.
"Don't forget that we are smaller than Thailand," he said. "Please give time to the politicians so that they can negotiate in a peaceful way, because war is difficult and the Thais have more troops than us and more modern weapons."
"I am now 76 years old, so I cannot lead the armed forces to fight any more," Dien Del said. "We cannot knock our heads with iron."
14 comments:
We Thais couldn't withdraw our troops from the Prah Viharn. If chao Sihanouk wants to go to war, we are ready, our F-fighters pilots are standing by, our Canons H-105mm H-155mm and 175mm are ready for the order, our Tanks Model M1-A1 and A2 were deployed to the area to support our ground troops, We think, if the war breaks out, The Thais' Army will smash the khmene Army within a second.
Chao Sihanouk, wants to be the national Hero once again. Chao Sihanouk denounced Khmene to fight with Thais, he will be the big lost. This time Thailand's border realy at Vietnamese's border for sure. We can't wait for 100 years.
Khun Moeung Klang Kamhaeng,
Sukhothai,
Thailand.
Shihanouk can you do just small thing take down the fucking Vietnamese Invasion Monument next to your palace! It a soar in our eyes!
The King has nothing to do with this case. It's Hun Sen's duty!
we will take your fighters down and eat your livers. The Khom people will prevail over the Siam people. The Siam people cannot even say the word Khmer correctly, how can they want to maintain the integrity of a Khmer ancient artifact?
Do you think the Hun Sen's government would dare to go against the Thai government? I would highly doubted.
If he blinks, he'll lose everything he has.
Former king, this time we don´t go with you to fight Thailand because during the cold war Thailand help Cambodia against Vietnam. Otherwise Thai and Khmer seem to be brothers and sisters and we can talk each other.Please dont´t burn the fire for both nation. If you be strong enough you must first fight Vietnam out from Cambodia who take your land every day here and take your lovely son back home. If Thailand fight back then you fly away to stay in China or N. Korea. The suffering are Khmer poor people, that is the real story. Vietnam respect the border contract only after 1982,.. why must Thailand respect the contract from 1904,... 1962? Cambodian CAKE Vietnam eat everyday Why Thai don´t do it!
Thai Thai Thai always want something that is not belong to them. They took more than they chew...Kingdom rise Kingdom fall, your turn to fall now...By the way your country is not that impressive, populated and run by Thief and now chair ASEAN, go figure!
Dear Mr/Ms Khun Moeung Klang Kamhaeng,
Everyone understands that Thailand is more powerful than Cambodia economically and militarily.
However, I don't think the F-16s and other modern weapons as you just said can solve this problem. Thailand may win a war of aggression against Cambodia thanks to its economic and military superiority. But, what will you expect from this war of agression?
I expect that Cambodians will wage a guerilla warfare back against the Thai aggressors because they have no choice; and you may not understand the feelings of those who have nothing to lose.
You will bear the consequences of your war: (1) lives will be lost day by day; (2) you will suffer economically, socially, and politically because of the expenses you have to pay for the occupation; (3) Cambodia will be plunged into instability and therefore the terrorist groups may take advantages of this instability to establish their safe havens in Cambodia.
So, how do you imagine the costs that Thailand has to pay as a consequence of this dirty war?
When you suffer economically, you will have internal problems at home. This will fuel up your internal tensions as already existed. When Cambodia becomes destabilized, then it will affect your South that has already suffered a lot because of advantages taken by the terrorists. When you lose your lives, your family will suffer.
I hope your fellow Thais who have the same line of thinking will take these undesired misfortune into great consideration.
Never understimate others that you consider as small. Look at the US in Vietnam, Aghanistan, and Iraq. They can win with modern weapons, but they cannot occupy the country in the presence of hit-and-run tactics. I don't think Thailand has enough billions of dollars to sustain its occupation of Cambodia. And I don't think your leaders will take this stupid course. They are wiser than you guys.
what the fuck???? north korea is smaller and less technology than US, but they never afraid of US , vietnam did have modern weapon and they win US, what the fuck is generall talking about?????
if we have heart, we will win any country stupid fucking general and advisor!!!!
Dear 3.37 AM
You are a Khmere Guy.
That seems that you are not proud of to be Khmere.
So, You are pretending to be a siamese in many topics.
You've just want to spur the compatriot emotion.
or Would you like to be Siamese?
9:40,
I totally agree with you!
Cambodian people got nothing to loose, not to mentioned the re-elected PM..... this is not the time to mess with us. As people is already pissed off as it.
3:37,
Do your people even know how to operate the tank?
Is it in good working order? I heard it was just park there and an occasional washing. Make sure that the operator is a real man and not a SHIM (she/him). Cause that will really piss our military off. Do your military have an open door, or don't ask don't tell policies?
All jokes aside. Word to live by,"Don't under estimate the will of your enemies", especially one that's got nothing to loose. Ponder on that!
Khun Thais understand that Strong man /Samdach Decho does not dare to use the Iron Fist with Khun Thais,,,, his Iron fist is only for Cambodians themselves......
Because when samdach Decho use Iron Fist Khun Thais will release all Secret info. he had done... to confront with 192/107/1904.2000/1993(Paris Agreements.... and his close friend Vietnam would not help him.. if helps Vietnam also loses...(Border Agreement-VN-Cam)....
Decho knows very well what his part has done with Khun Thais.. eand especially militry is too weak....morally and physically.....
Wichai Rungrat
Bangkok/Krung Thep Mohanokorn
Khun Thais understand that Strong man /Samdach Decho does not dare to use the Iron Fist with Khun Thais,,,, his Iron fist is only for Cambodians themselves......
Because when samdach Decho use Iron Fist Khun Thais will release all Secret info. he had done... to confront with 192/107/1904.2000/1993(Paris Agreements.... and his close friend Vietnam would not help him.. if helps Vietnam also loses...(Border Agreement-VN-Cam)....
Decho knows very well what his part has done with Khun Thais.. eand especially militry is too weak....morally and physically.....
Wichai Rungrat
Bangkok/Krung Thep Mohanokorn
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