Clashes along Thai-Cambodian border resume, both sides blame each other

By Thaweeporn Kummetha

BANGKOK, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Rhetoric wars between Bangkok and Phnom Pehn began after skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted again at disputed border area on Tuesday.

Thai Foreign Minister's secretary Chavanont Intarakomalyasut told Xinhua on Wednesday that Cambodia should respect the outcome of the meeting with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday in New York by stop firing to Thai side.

"Without clashes initiated by the Cambodia troops, the negotiation would be much easier," Chavanont said.

However, Cambodian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday afternoon issued a statement, accusing Thai side of initiating the skirmishes, adding that Cambodian troop refrained from firing back.

"In respect of the recommendation of the UNSC on Feb. 14, Cambodian troops exercise utmost restraint and did not respond to this renewed provocation from the Thai armed forces," the statement says.

From 9 p.m. of Tuesday to 5 a.m. of Wednesday local time, there were several small rounds of skirmishes at the military zone at the Thai-Cambodian border on Phu Makuae of Thailand's Si Saket province and Phnom Trap of Cambodia's Preah Vihear province.

Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said there are no deaths and injuries on Thai side. There are no reports of Cambodian deaths and injuries.

While Sansern, as reported by the Bangkok Post online, said the Cambodian troops' intention had clearly been to take the Thai position, Cambodia statement says: "this violation of the ceasefire by the Thai armed forces clearly shows that the real intention behind Thailand's insistence on resolving the matter bilaterally is to use its overwhelmingly superior military forces to take over Cambodian territory in the vicinity of the temple of Preah Vihear."

After the meeting between three foreign ministers, Kasit Piromya of Thailand, Hor Namhong of Cambodia and Marty Natalegawa of Indonesian as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on Monday in New York, UNSC issued a statement calling on Thailand and Cambodia to ceasefire and negotiate.

However, it seems that both sides interpreted the outcome of the meeting differently -- favoring their sides: While Bangkok says bilateral talks is enough, Phnom Penh insists that a third party intervention is needed to solve conflict.

Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers are expected to meet again in the ASEAN forum on February 22 at Jakarta, Indonesia, to talk about disputed border issues.

Asked what will be discussed in the forum, the secretary to Thai foreign minister said Thailand and Cambodia will exchange and explain the situation to ASEAN members and "to help creating good atmosphere for bilateral talks"

During Feb. 4-7, both sides exchanged fierce firings and shelling resulting in three deaths of Thai soldiers and eight on Cambodian side as well as forced at least 20,000 local Thais to evacuate.