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CAMBODIA – THAILAND
Both sides issue statements and denials with regards to disputed border area. Cambodians claim Thais pulled back; Thais reject claim. For decades the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, has been at the core of a dispute between the two neighbours.
Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Cambodian claims that Thai troops pulled back from the border a few hours before its ultimatum expired (noon local time) has been denied by Thai authorities. "We are still there," said Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat who is also the country’s Defence Minister, after a meeting with Army chief General Anupong Paochinda and foreign ministry officials.
Cambodian Prime minister Hun Sen gave Thailand a noon deadline today to withdraw all its troops from an area adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple on the Thai-Cambodian border or face a "large-scale conflict.”
Thailand’s response was immediate. Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkumnerd denied the Cambodian claim that Thai troops had withdrawn from the disputed area. He reiterated instead his country’s willingness “to continue with bilateral talks, but if the situation escalates, we are ready.”
Furthermore, Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwait said about 80 troops went into the disputed territory on a mine removal mission after two Thai soldiers lost legs earlier this month when they stepped on land mines.
Tensions between the two neighbours heated up last August after UNESCO declared the Preah Vihear Temple a world heritage site in July.
The holy site, which is located on a promontory, belongs to Cambodia in accordance with a decision made by the International Court of Justice in 1962.
The surrounding area, no more than 4.5 km2, is however at the heart of a dispute between the two neighbours, each claiming substantial chunks of the other country’s territory.
The Thai military controls the main roads into the Temple area and some border sections are not clearly demarcated, factors which have fuelled tensions between Phnom Penh and Bangkok, which have in recent weeks deployed respectively 800 and 400 soldiers along the border.
Both sides issue statements and denials with regards to disputed border area. Cambodians claim Thais pulled back; Thais reject claim. For decades the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, has been at the core of a dispute between the two neighbours.
Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Cambodian claims that Thai troops pulled back from the border a few hours before its ultimatum expired (noon local time) has been denied by Thai authorities. "We are still there," said Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat who is also the country’s Defence Minister, after a meeting with Army chief General Anupong Paochinda and foreign ministry officials.
Cambodian Prime minister Hun Sen gave Thailand a noon deadline today to withdraw all its troops from an area adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple on the Thai-Cambodian border or face a "large-scale conflict.”
Thailand’s response was immediate. Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkumnerd denied the Cambodian claim that Thai troops had withdrawn from the disputed area. He reiterated instead his country’s willingness “to continue with bilateral talks, but if the situation escalates, we are ready.”
Furthermore, Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwait said about 80 troops went into the disputed territory on a mine removal mission after two Thai soldiers lost legs earlier this month when they stepped on land mines.
Tensions between the two neighbours heated up last August after UNESCO declared the Preah Vihear Temple a world heritage site in July.
The holy site, which is located on a promontory, belongs to Cambodia in accordance with a decision made by the International Court of Justice in 1962.
The surrounding area, no more than 4.5 km2, is however at the heart of a dispute between the two neighbours, each claiming substantial chunks of the other country’s territory.
The Thai military controls the main roads into the Temple area and some border sections are not clearly demarcated, factors which have fuelled tensions between Phnom Penh and Bangkok, which have in recent weeks deployed respectively 800 and 400 soldiers along the border.
3 comments:
Thai soldiers are still in Khmer Land, and Khmer army has every right to use lethal force to protect Khmer life. Thai soldiers in Khmer soil are the enemy of Khmer. Should not let them stay there for collecting inteligent information sending back to their main force.
I really wonder why Thai Prime Ministery denied, "Thai soliders withdraw". That's a crazy habit for thai people who didn't accept what they do.
If thai soliders did not retreat, why don't they move forward to clear that landmine in Entry Field?
You're coward!!! Fucking thai...
Thai dare not to open fight coz they scared.
that's a fucking thai behavior.
3:07, 3:03 AM
Go on barking at the moon-- or fight the Thais yourself. Ah Hun Sen is mad, lying his compatriots. He belives most Khmers are stupid. The fact is that nobody wants war. He's frenzying a war for popularity. World media have found that what the Thais said was true. Only Phnom Penh officials claimed the Thai witdrawal. In Bangkok is different. The Thai PM Somchai, FM Sompong, 2nd Region Army Commander, defense officials etc.. all have denied any withdrawal. Cambodia leaders banged up drums pavingh the way for new foreign aid. He is lookingh for some military aid for his poor armed forces. Remember, the day he blasted at visiting Thai FM was the day destroyer USS Mustin was still at the Ream Naval Base, Sihanoukville. Most of all, Hun Sen is looking for some $300mln aids from China for new weapons. Hun Sen mentioned the sum of money yesterday disguising that that was for 'development'.
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