Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Cambodian ultimatum: [Thai] PM meet military brass on border disputes

BANGKOK, Oct 14 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minster Somchai Wongsawat called the country's military brass to meet Monday afternoon to assess the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border disputes after bilateral talks between the two nation's foreign ministers failed to reach agreement.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly issued an ultimatum to Thailand to withdraw troops from the disputed border by noon.

Mr. Somchai said before the weekly cabinet meeting Tuesday morning that he had invited the military commanders to meet at 2.00 pm (1400 hours) to discuss how to ease the tension between the two neighbouring countries.

The prime minister said he had telephoned to keep in touch and discuss the issues with his Cambodian counterpart from time to time and he believed that the two countries could eventually find the best solution together.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat, who met his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong Monday morning in Phnom Penh for border talks, said the border disputes could be settled via bilateral mechanisms.

He advised that the two countries' leaders should discuss the issue.

Heated words were reported by Associated Press which quoted Mr. Hun Sen, Cambodia's prime minister as having issued an ultimatum to Thailand to withdraw its troops from the disputed area by noon Tuesday or face a "life-and-death battle zone."

Mr. Hun Sen accused Thai troops of advancing on a border area called Eagle Field near the temple in an attempt to occupy Cambodian land, it said.

Meanwhile, Thailand's Cambodian border provinces were tense following the Khmer premier's warning.

Thai rangers were on high alert at the Ta Muen and Ta Kwai Krabey temples in the northeastern province of Surin bordering Cambodia after finding hundreds of Cambodian troops reinforcements in Banteay Ampil district of Oddar Meanchey province just 20 kms from the Ta Muen temple.

Cambodian military personnel were observed to be carrying heavy weapons.

Meanwhile, another unit of Khmer troops were approaching Ta Kwai Krabey Temple.

Thailand's Second Army Area Command affirmed that every step that the Thai military personnel had taken was in Thai territory, but as a precautionary measure, the army had ordered its personnel and civilian volunteers on alert, but there were no movements of forces.

At Si Sa Ket province, the army warned villagers along the border to be prepared for evacuation while the military units were preparing their arms.

The public was warned to avoid travel to the Preah Vihear vicinity for their safety.

In Chantaburi, Thai and Cambodian traders rushed to finish their business as they feared that the border pass may be closed if a clash occurs.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

There we are! There is some action going on after Prime Minister Hun Sen's ultimatum.

A French philosoper said: "Peaceful words are not as loud as cannons" "Les parole de paix font moins de bruit que les canons."

LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong

Anonymous said...

Kill the thief to save our beloved land.

Anonymous said...

We think Hun Sen is bluffing. we never trust Hun Sen's government. If we look at Hun Sen's army, they are so poor and weak to fight with THAILAND, we could smash and disarray them in a minute without breath in and out.
Be prepared the coffuns for the khmene death. We are not going to withdraw our troops from our occupied territories. And on the otherhand, Hun Sen's government is living by beggar other countries. They don't have money to support the war. War or else?

Anonymous said...

Your fucking thai King is stupid and your queen is a whore.
Also your mother is a whore.