PHNOM PENH, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Cambodia began a partial withdrawal of troops from its disputed border with Thailand on Thursday, a move likely to ease tensions between the two over a 900-year-old Hindu Khmer temple.
"This shows the positive position of Cambodia, that we want to live in peace, and is something the two nations will benefit from," said General Chea Dara, deputy commander in chief of Cambodia's armed forces.
"At the same time, we still have enough troops to defend our own territory," he told Reuters by telephone from the border.
The regional commander on the Thai side of the border said there were no plans to follow suit.
"There will be no withdrawal from this side," Major-General Chawalit Chunprasan told Reuters.
The Preah Vihear temple, which is perched on an escarpment that forms a natural border between the two Southeast Asian neighbours, has for decades been a source of tension and nationalist fervour.
The two countries have been embroiled in a series of standoffs over the temple in the past year, resulting in border skirmishes that claimed the lives of seven troops.
Thailand is challenging a United Nations decision to make the temple a world heritage site under Cambodia's sole jurisdiction.
Cambodia was awarded Preah Vihear in a 1962 international court ruling, but the court did not determine the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the ruins.
Thailand wants joint development and supervision of the temple, which could one day become a lucrative tourist site.
The two countries are also in dispute over parts of the Gulf of Thailand, where oil and gas deposits have been found.
Military representatives from both sides agreed on Monday to exercise restraint at the border. The Cambodian pull-back is due to end on Sunday.
(Reporting by Ek Madra in Phnom Penh and Panarat Thepgumpanat in Bangkok; Editing by Martin Petty)
"This shows the positive position of Cambodia, that we want to live in peace, and is something the two nations will benefit from," said General Chea Dara, deputy commander in chief of Cambodia's armed forces.
"At the same time, we still have enough troops to defend our own territory," he told Reuters by telephone from the border.
The regional commander on the Thai side of the border said there were no plans to follow suit.
"There will be no withdrawal from this side," Major-General Chawalit Chunprasan told Reuters.
The Preah Vihear temple, which is perched on an escarpment that forms a natural border between the two Southeast Asian neighbours, has for decades been a source of tension and nationalist fervour.
The two countries have been embroiled in a series of standoffs over the temple in the past year, resulting in border skirmishes that claimed the lives of seven troops.
Thailand is challenging a United Nations decision to make the temple a world heritage site under Cambodia's sole jurisdiction.
Cambodia was awarded Preah Vihear in a 1962 international court ruling, but the court did not determine the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the ruins.
Thailand wants joint development and supervision of the temple, which could one day become a lucrative tourist site.
The two countries are also in dispute over parts of the Gulf of Thailand, where oil and gas deposits have been found.
Military representatives from both sides agreed on Monday to exercise restraint at the border. The Cambodian pull-back is due to end on Sunday.
(Reporting by Ek Madra in Phnom Penh and Panarat Thepgumpanat in Bangkok; Editing by Martin Petty)
5 comments:
HUNSEN ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID
THE FUCKING THAIS AINT GONNA DIG OUT THEY GONNA STAY FOR GOOOD WHAT A FUCKING IDIOT
FUCK THAILAND NOW I WILL KILL AND RAPE ALL THAI PEOPLE
FUCKING FAGGET ASS THAIS GET THE FUCK OFF OUR LAND
HUNSEN YOU STUPID FUCK IF YOU READ MY MESSAGE
FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT YOU SHOULD DIE WITH THE THAIS YOU FUCKING IDIOT
FUCK THAILAND....AND FUCK YOU IF YOU IF YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH MY FUCKING COMMENT
To all Khmer army leaders, please keep our weapons cleans, well kept and take good care of all Tanks and armors vehicale...don't be too relax and too peaceful, and go to sleep!! be well prepared of all your weapons!!
is it just a coincident that after the Siam's show of force with their naval force, HS ordered the troop pull-back? it's sad...
Hun Sen has to play down by pulling khmer troops out, because siamese put their naval ship, warship all over the sea...
Khmer leaders always have the tendancy of oppressing their own people only. When facing with foreigners, those khmer leaders are just chicken. Khmer leaders don't care to find justice for two millions khmers killed, starved by KR. On the contrary, when 3 Australians were killed by KR, Khmer government under Hun Sen found the killers and brought them to court to face justice. This action proved that in the eyes of khmer Leaders, Khmers' life have less value as compared to foreigners.
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