SRP MP Son ChhayWithdrawal of Cambodian troops facing Thailand
30 August 2009
By Mom Sophon
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer
Son Chhay indicated that the resolution of the border dispute with Thailand cannot be done through armed forces or bilateral negotiations between Cambodia and Thailand. A successful resolution requires the participation of the International community, including ASEAN countries. Cambodia must push the signatory countries of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia to guarantee that Thailand does not violate Cambodia’s territorial integrity.In the afternoon of 29 August, the spokesman of the Cambodian ministry of Defense indicated that the withdrawal of troops from the border region where the confrontation of Cambodian and Thai troops is taking place, is done according to a plan set on 30 August.
Chhum Socheat, spokesman of the ministry of Defense, indicated that 50% of troops, heavy artillery and tanks were pulled out according the set strategy, and the number of troop withdrawn amounts to 3 divisions: the Preah Vihear province division, the Kampong Thom province division and army Brigade No. 11, etc…
Chhum Socheat indicated: “In some locations, we should pull out, at some others, we shouldn’t pull out, we base [the pullout] on the actual number of troops. This does not mean that 50% of the frontline troops were pulled out… it means that, out of the total number [of troops being pulled out], some regions that we consider as vital, we preserve the troops there, at other regions where we are not doing anything, we are pulling them back out. This means that we pull the troops out according to our military strategy, we are not pulling them out unilaterally. The majority of our troops have their bases prepared already along necessary locations, they can return back there on time.”
Troops withdrawal took place after Hun Xen said that Thai troops pulled out the border region near Preah Vihear temple and the situation will no longer be explosive anymore.
John Johnston, spokesman for the US embassy in Cambodia, indicated that troops pullout is a good sign for peaceful negotiations between the two countries, and this could lead to a peaceful resolution.
Regarding this troop withdrawal, SRP MP Son Chhay said that this pullout does not equate to a border resolution with Thailand at all.
Son Chhay said: “We want to know: this pullout was due to what? Reports indicated that only our side is pulling out, but Thailand still maintains the same position. For this border problem with Thailand, we don’t understand which strategy led the government to make this decision, could it be that Thailand promised not to conduct further aggression or anything else? Nevertheless, I say that this troop withdrawal will not lead Thailand to respect our territorial integrity.”
Son Chhay indicated that the resolution of the border dispute with Thailand cannot be done through armed forces or bilateral negotiations between Cambodia and Thailand. A successful resolution requires the participation of the International community, including ASEAN countries. Cambodia must push the signatory countries of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia to guarantee that Thailand does not violate Cambodia’s territorial integrity.
9 comments:
We have ENOUGH of this game. Plus, from here on out, this is the ONLY game that both countries will play when there's a problem in the country in an effort to divert the public's attention. To put it in a simple term, you may call it a "pretext" to exploit, deceive, and prevaricate the general public when the solution is not within reach.
--Janitor
I can't believed Hun Sen withdraw troops out! on Thai side is not...?
I'm certain that we'll see this 'ongoing' game for years to come, unsurprisingly. This is--again-- will be the ONLY game in which both countries will play--again and again-- when there's a crisis in the country.
--Janitor
For Dear KI-Media: I think your better review your staff again whether they are reall or 100% pure khmer blood or they are just 1/2 Viet blood...Please double check on that. I strongly support Ki-media who is alwyas pro-khmer, but after I observ so long this site it seem to hire viet-blood staff to work for this media, for Example every news posted by Socheat, he/she always wrote wrong as Hun Xen instead of the real name of Mr. Hun Sen. If we pronounce Hun Xen , this sound like Vietnam Sound...so it mean Socheat is Vietnamese, she/he is deserved to fire.
Khmer
The total of $99 Mil from Thai is enough to cool down our gov't heart to pull out troops. To show the international that Khmer does not want the war, but how could out side do if Hun Sen does not ask for help.
Hun Sen thought only him the Khmer strongman can protect Khmer land. Hun Sen will ask Viet to fight for him if Thai will still push into our land soon or later.
5:19 PM
Rest assured, if war erupts, (these Yuon fighters) will be on the blueprint. Plus, the weapons will be flowing from China, while the Yuons are assisting our hated one-eyed leader.
--Janitor
Hun Sen seems to practice the policy of "Having the cake and eat it too". It might bite him in the rear end one day and ruin the Cambodia nation, especially playing around with the bully next door.
khmer should start burning down places where youns stay like the LA riots over 10 years ago.
The border issues will never be solve, unless international get involved...
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