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Showing posts with label Hun Sen's war threat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hun Sen's war threat. Show all posts
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Monday, October 20, 2008
Outlook uncertain as Thai army commanders call Hun Sen's bluff
Monday, 20 October 2008
Written by Sebastian Strangio and Sam Rith
The Phnom Penh Post
Written by Sebastian Strangio and Sam Rith
The Phnom Penh Post
Analysts say that domestic turmoil will adversely affect the bargaining position of the new Thai PM, but urge the Cambodian govt to make a more measured response to the crisis
EVEN opponents of the government agree that Prime Minister Hun Sen had a right to take a firm stand against Thai border incursions near Preah Vihear temple. But with troops from both sides now digging in after last week's fighting, political analysts are divided on how his tough rhetoric will impact the resolution of the three-month-old military stand-off.
After Wednesday's border clashes, in which three Cambodian soldiers were killed and nearly a dozen Thais wounded, Hun Sen downplayed the threat of war, saying that the situation along the border was "under control".
"Cambodia is poor and will not show its muscles," he told reporters after a cabinet meeting Friday. "There will be no big war because the two countries are still patient."
His comments came on the heels of his October 13 ultimatum to Thailand that it should withdraw its forces from Cambodian territory at Veal Antri, warning of a "full-scale conflict" if Bangkok did not comply.
Although local politicians agreed the Cambodian government holds the moral high ground on the border dispute, some questioned the wisdom of bluffing beleaguered Thai politicians with threats of open war.
"[The bluff] was a response to the continuing violations of the Thais. The Thais have been playing games with him, and I think he lost patience," said Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Son Chhay, adding that the government should welcome the mediation of the international community.
"I think [the threat] was a mistake. We advised him to deal with it through international organisations, to approach the UN or the co-chairs of the Paris Peace Agreements," he said.
"[Hun Sen] was trying to project the image that he is serious about protecting our territory," she said.
"It's not a big issue. It's more an issue of pride."
Koy Kuong, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, endorsed the remarks made by the prime minister Friday, but would not comment on last week's ultimatum in light of the bloodshed on the border.
"A peaceful solution is the best solution," he said. "Cambodia has experience with war and found that it doesn't offer any benefit besides destroying assets and people's lives."
Thai upheavals
However, some analysts are pessimistic that negotiations will do anything to resolve the conflict until a resolution of the political crisis within Thailand.
"Talking doesn't mean anything or affect anything," said Thun Saray, president of the Cambodian rights group Adhoc. "In Thailand, the current government is very weak, especially on the problem of the Thai-Cambodian border. If they agree with the Cambodian government on something, the political opposition takes the opportunity to accuse them of being traitors."
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political analyst based at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, said Thailand's domestic crisis, which has seen the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) keep up street protests in an attempt to force the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, had hampered the temple negotiations.
"The turmoil and confrontation in Bangkok is going to adversely affect Prime Minister Somchai's negotiating and bargaining position because he is being hounded and undermined," he said.
"He is essentially being overthrown by the PAD... and the PAD has used the [Preah Vihear] issue to accuse the Somchai government...of selling out."
Given the situation in Bangkok, Thun Saray said the likelihood of holding effective talks was low and questioned the control of Thailand's civilian leadership over the Thai troops at the border.
"Normally, when two parties are in conflict, they agree to talk. The Thais said they wanted a peaceful solution, but at the same time they moved their troops further into Cambodian territory," he said.
In this context, heated rhetoric from the Cambodian side could be like a red flag to a bull. "In Cambodia, the government can prevent violence like the anti-Thai violence of 2003, but in Thailand I don't know," he said. "If the opposition politicians took power now and tried to push more troops into Cambodia, it could escalate."
However, Chea Vannath said her main fear was the scores of heavily-armed soldiers biding their time in foxholes at the border. "I am pleased at what the Cambodian government is trying to do," she said.
"My concern is that you have two armed forces facing each other. It's so easy for something to happen."
EVEN opponents of the government agree that Prime Minister Hun Sen had a right to take a firm stand against Thai border incursions near Preah Vihear temple. But with troops from both sides now digging in after last week's fighting, political analysts are divided on how his tough rhetoric will impact the resolution of the three-month-old military stand-off.
After Wednesday's border clashes, in which three Cambodian soldiers were killed and nearly a dozen Thais wounded, Hun Sen downplayed the threat of war, saying that the situation along the border was "under control".
"Cambodia is poor and will not show its muscles," he told reporters after a cabinet meeting Friday. "There will be no big war because the two countries are still patient."
His comments came on the heels of his October 13 ultimatum to Thailand that it should withdraw its forces from Cambodian territory at Veal Antri, warning of a "full-scale conflict" if Bangkok did not comply.
Although local politicians agreed the Cambodian government holds the moral high ground on the border dispute, some questioned the wisdom of bluffing beleaguered Thai politicians with threats of open war.
"[The bluff] was a response to the continuing violations of the Thais. The Thais have been playing games with him, and I think he lost patience," said Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Son Chhay, adding that the government should welcome the mediation of the international community.
"I think [the threat] was a mistake. We advised him to deal with it through international organisations, to approach the UN or the co-chairs of the Paris Peace Agreements," he said.
There will be no big war because the two countries are still patient.With officials from both sides due to meet in Siem Reap for another round of talks Friday, independent analyst Chea Vannath said Hun Sen's comments might have been misjudged, but did not think it would impact the "very slow process" of the border negotiations.
"[Hun Sen] was trying to project the image that he is serious about protecting our territory," she said.
"It's not a big issue. It's more an issue of pride."
Koy Kuong, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, endorsed the remarks made by the prime minister Friday, but would not comment on last week's ultimatum in light of the bloodshed on the border.
"A peaceful solution is the best solution," he said. "Cambodia has experience with war and found that it doesn't offer any benefit besides destroying assets and people's lives."
Thai upheavals
However, some analysts are pessimistic that negotiations will do anything to resolve the conflict until a resolution of the political crisis within Thailand.
"Talking doesn't mean anything or affect anything," said Thun Saray, president of the Cambodian rights group Adhoc. "In Thailand, the current government is very weak, especially on the problem of the Thai-Cambodian border. If they agree with the Cambodian government on something, the political opposition takes the opportunity to accuse them of being traitors."
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political analyst based at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, said Thailand's domestic crisis, which has seen the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) keep up street protests in an attempt to force the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, had hampered the temple negotiations.
"The turmoil and confrontation in Bangkok is going to adversely affect Prime Minister Somchai's negotiating and bargaining position because he is being hounded and undermined," he said.
"He is essentially being overthrown by the PAD... and the PAD has used the [Preah Vihear] issue to accuse the Somchai government...of selling out."
Given the situation in Bangkok, Thun Saray said the likelihood of holding effective talks was low and questioned the control of Thailand's civilian leadership over the Thai troops at the border.
"Normally, when two parties are in conflict, they agree to talk. The Thais said they wanted a peaceful solution, but at the same time they moved their troops further into Cambodian territory," he said.
In this context, heated rhetoric from the Cambodian side could be like a red flag to a bull. "In Cambodia, the government can prevent violence like the anti-Thai violence of 2003, but in Thailand I don't know," he said. "If the opposition politicians took power now and tried to push more troops into Cambodia, it could escalate."
However, Chea Vannath said her main fear was the scores of heavily-armed soldiers biding their time in foxholes at the border. "I am pleased at what the Cambodian government is trying to do," she said.
"My concern is that you have two armed forces facing each other. It's so easy for something to happen."
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thai Cambodia border tensions escalate
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
ABC Radio Australia
ABC Radio Australia
Thailand's Foreign Ministry has urged its citizens to avoid visiting Cambodia as a dispute over a stretch of border near the Preah Vihear temple, threatens to escalate into military conflict. Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has ordered Thai troops out of a disputed border area or he says there'll be a "death zone".
Presenter: Karen Percy
Speaker: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Chea Vannath political analyst
PERCY: The latest talks between thailand and cambodia led nowhere .. just like the talks last month .. and the month before. So the prime minister Hun Sen, a former army general, decided it was time for action.
Hun sen: (Khmer) Today, I told both the Minister of Defence and Cambodian army chief and all regional, division commanders at the frontline that these areas are fighting areas. If Thai troops continue to enter, war will start tomorrow.
PERCY: Hun Sen told reporters war will start if Thai troops continued to enter. He instructed the Minister for Defence, the chief of the Cambodia army, and all frontline commanders that the region in Cambodia's north west, was a fighting zone. As yet, there are no reports of shots being fired. But it reveals the deepening frustration being felt in Cambodia, says independent political analyst Chea Vannath.
VANNATH: What the Cambodian Prime Minister did was to convey the message to his counterpart to get serious on the peace talk.
PERCY: The two countries have been at odds ever since the international court of justice handed the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962. The 11th century stone hindu temple lies in ruins atop a dramatic escarpment. A small parcel of land around it is what's at stake and over the decades leaders from both sides have tried to argue for their version of the border. In July of this year, when UNESCO gave Cambodia world heritage listing for the temple, it prompted outrage across the border. The thai government initially supported Cambodia's UNESCO bid but had to renege after a public backlash. Since then the government in Thailand has seen a Prime Minister and two Foreign Ministers resign because of internal strife. That's made for slow negotiations.
VANNATH: The Cambodian Government is very patient, understanding the internal political situation in Thailand but the troops standing in the field is different issue.
PERCY: It's difficult to know exactly how many soldiers are involved. But each side is thought to have several thousand in the area, while several hundred from each side are in close confines near the temple. Chea Vannath again.
VANNATH: The two troops facing each other with the guns , so its kind of very tense in the field.
PERCY: Do you think Hun Sen will follow through if Thai troops don't leave under the deadline will Hun Sen demand Cambodian troops start firing?
VANNATH: I doubt it, because Cambodia needs peace and security for its tourism and economic development
PERCY: But Miss Vannath says that doesn't mean he isn't serious about the issue.
VANNATH: This proves that the territory belongs to Cambodia, that means Cambodia is committed to hold on to its territory.
PERCY: These centuries old rivalries between thailand and cambodia have prompted a broader border dispute.
VANNATH: If we go back to the 12th, 13th century, the Cambodian civilization, the Khmer empire, covered most of those regions, so Cambodia feels that its losing its territory piece by piece to its powerful neighbour.
PERCY: Hun sen is a clever political player. And while he might not really want bloodshed on the border, he seems determined to get Thailand to address the issue once and for all. He's no doubt hoping it might also prompt the association of south east asian nations or even the United Nations to step in.
Presenter: Karen Percy
Speaker: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Chea Vannath political analyst
PERCY: The latest talks between thailand and cambodia led nowhere .. just like the talks last month .. and the month before. So the prime minister Hun Sen, a former army general, decided it was time for action.
Hun sen: (Khmer) Today, I told both the Minister of Defence and Cambodian army chief and all regional, division commanders at the frontline that these areas are fighting areas. If Thai troops continue to enter, war will start tomorrow.
PERCY: Hun Sen told reporters war will start if Thai troops continued to enter. He instructed the Minister for Defence, the chief of the Cambodia army, and all frontline commanders that the region in Cambodia's north west, was a fighting zone. As yet, there are no reports of shots being fired. But it reveals the deepening frustration being felt in Cambodia, says independent political analyst Chea Vannath.
VANNATH: What the Cambodian Prime Minister did was to convey the message to his counterpart to get serious on the peace talk.
PERCY: The two countries have been at odds ever since the international court of justice handed the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962. The 11th century stone hindu temple lies in ruins atop a dramatic escarpment. A small parcel of land around it is what's at stake and over the decades leaders from both sides have tried to argue for their version of the border. In July of this year, when UNESCO gave Cambodia world heritage listing for the temple, it prompted outrage across the border. The thai government initially supported Cambodia's UNESCO bid but had to renege after a public backlash. Since then the government in Thailand has seen a Prime Minister and two Foreign Ministers resign because of internal strife. That's made for slow negotiations.
VANNATH: The Cambodian Government is very patient, understanding the internal political situation in Thailand but the troops standing in the field is different issue.
PERCY: It's difficult to know exactly how many soldiers are involved. But each side is thought to have several thousand in the area, while several hundred from each side are in close confines near the temple. Chea Vannath again.
VANNATH: The two troops facing each other with the guns , so its kind of very tense in the field.
PERCY: Do you think Hun Sen will follow through if Thai troops don't leave under the deadline will Hun Sen demand Cambodian troops start firing?
VANNATH: I doubt it, because Cambodia needs peace and security for its tourism and economic development
PERCY: But Miss Vannath says that doesn't mean he isn't serious about the issue.
VANNATH: This proves that the territory belongs to Cambodia, that means Cambodia is committed to hold on to its territory.
PERCY: These centuries old rivalries between thailand and cambodia have prompted a broader border dispute.
VANNATH: If we go back to the 12th, 13th century, the Cambodian civilization, the Khmer empire, covered most of those regions, so Cambodia feels that its losing its territory piece by piece to its powerful neighbour.
PERCY: Hun sen is a clever political player. And while he might not really want bloodshed on the border, he seems determined to get Thailand to address the issue once and for all. He's no doubt hoping it might also prompt the association of south east asian nations or even the United Nations to step in.
War threat [-Sompong; No Thai troops will be withdrawn as of now]
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
By Thanida Tansubhapol and Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post
By Thanida Tansubhapol and Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered fresh troops to the border with an ultimatum to Thailand: Pull military forces back today or the border will become a "life and death battle zone".
Hun Sen told reporters in Phnom Penh that he had warned Thailand's visiting Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat that without a quick pullout, Thai soldiers could face being fired upon by Cambodian troops in "large-scale armed conflict".
"If they cannot withdraw tonight, they must withdraw tomorrow," said Hun Sen.
"We have tried to be patient, but I told the Thai foreign minister today that the area is a life-and-death battle zone."
His comments came after talks with Mr Sompong in Phnom Penh.
Mr Sompong also met with his counterpart Hor Namhong in a bid to resolve the dispute over the area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
The Cambodian foreign minister said yesterday's talks failed to end in agreement because his Thai opposite number "could not sign anything".
Hun Sen and Hor Namhong both told reporters that Cambodia could choose to take the border dispute before an international court if it was not resolved soon.
The comments made by the Cambodian prime minister and foreign minister surprised Mr Sompong and Thai officials, who were adamant that the meetings had not been a failure.
Mr Sompong said the tone during the meetings between the two countries had been different as the Cambodian leaders agreed that both sides had to be patient in resolving the border spat.
He said no Thai troop withdrawals would be made from the 4.6 sq km overlapping area between Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and Preah Vihear province of Cambodia until the dispute over ownership is cleared through negotiations in the Joint Boundary Commission that was set up to demarcate the land border.
Thailand reiterated its ownership over the area, Mr Sompong said in Bangkok and rushed to report the talks to Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.
Suranaree Task Force commander Maj-Gen Kanok Netrakavaesana will hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart tomorrow on the border issues and the Thai and Cambodian defence ministers will meet next Tuesday , according to Mr Sompong.
Cambodian Deputy Defence Minister Gen Neang Phat said more Cambodian troops were heading to the area after up to 500 Thai soldiers had tried to cross the border near an ancient Hindu temple that is claimed by both countries.
"We are building up our troops at the border in response to Thailand, but I cannot reveal the number," he told reporters.
Maj-Gen Srey Deok, who oversees the Cambodian military in the disputed area, said: "Thai troops have already entered the area. They are confronting our troops."
But Maj-Gen Kanok denied that more troops had been sent to the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple.
Thailand and Cambodia have 10 soldiers each at the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda near the Preah Vihear temple and 45 around the compound on joint patrol, according to the agreement between the two countries to ease border tension.
The two countries also have back-up troops near the border.
The number of soldiers there remained unchanged, Maj-Gen Kanok said.
Maj-Gen Kanok slammed Cambodia for distorting information and taking advantage of the political crisis in Thailand to launch an offensive move for its own political benefit.
The Suranaree chief, his patience wearing thin, called for a quick solution to the border spat and a clear direction to be provided by the government as it could become an armed conflict if it was left unsettled.
"I want the government to solve this problem and make it clear what to do. If it is left this way, nobody knows what is going to happen," he said.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia first flared in July after the Preah Vihear temple was awarded World Heritage status by the World Heritage Committee.
The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but the surrounding land remains in dispute.
Tensions escalated into a military confrontation in which up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for six weeks.
The two countries have swapped accusations of violating each other's territory in the dispute.
(with Agency reports)
Hun Sen told reporters in Phnom Penh that he had warned Thailand's visiting Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat that without a quick pullout, Thai soldiers could face being fired upon by Cambodian troops in "large-scale armed conflict".
"If they cannot withdraw tonight, they must withdraw tomorrow," said Hun Sen.
"We have tried to be patient, but I told the Thai foreign minister today that the area is a life-and-death battle zone."
His comments came after talks with Mr Sompong in Phnom Penh.
Mr Sompong also met with his counterpart Hor Namhong in a bid to resolve the dispute over the area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
The Cambodian foreign minister said yesterday's talks failed to end in agreement because his Thai opposite number "could not sign anything".
Hun Sen and Hor Namhong both told reporters that Cambodia could choose to take the border dispute before an international court if it was not resolved soon.
The comments made by the Cambodian prime minister and foreign minister surprised Mr Sompong and Thai officials, who were adamant that the meetings had not been a failure.
Mr Sompong said the tone during the meetings between the two countries had been different as the Cambodian leaders agreed that both sides had to be patient in resolving the border spat.
He said no Thai troop withdrawals would be made from the 4.6 sq km overlapping area between Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and Preah Vihear province of Cambodia until the dispute over ownership is cleared through negotiations in the Joint Boundary Commission that was set up to demarcate the land border.
Thailand reiterated its ownership over the area, Mr Sompong said in Bangkok and rushed to report the talks to Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.
Suranaree Task Force commander Maj-Gen Kanok Netrakavaesana will hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart tomorrow on the border issues and the Thai and Cambodian defence ministers will meet next Tuesday , according to Mr Sompong.
Cambodian Deputy Defence Minister Gen Neang Phat said more Cambodian troops were heading to the area after up to 500 Thai soldiers had tried to cross the border near an ancient Hindu temple that is claimed by both countries.
"We are building up our troops at the border in response to Thailand, but I cannot reveal the number," he told reporters.
Maj-Gen Srey Deok, who oversees the Cambodian military in the disputed area, said: "Thai troops have already entered the area. They are confronting our troops."
But Maj-Gen Kanok denied that more troops had been sent to the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple.
Thailand and Cambodia have 10 soldiers each at the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda near the Preah Vihear temple and 45 around the compound on joint patrol, according to the agreement between the two countries to ease border tension.
The two countries also have back-up troops near the border.
The number of soldiers there remained unchanged, Maj-Gen Kanok said.
Maj-Gen Kanok slammed Cambodia for distorting information and taking advantage of the political crisis in Thailand to launch an offensive move for its own political benefit.
The Suranaree chief, his patience wearing thin, called for a quick solution to the border spat and a clear direction to be provided by the government as it could become an armed conflict if it was left unsettled.
"I want the government to solve this problem and make it clear what to do. If it is left this way, nobody knows what is going to happen," he said.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia first flared in July after the Preah Vihear temple was awarded World Heritage status by the World Heritage Committee.
The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but the surrounding land remains in dispute.
Tensions escalated into a military confrontation in which up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for six weeks.
The two countries have swapped accusations of violating each other's territory in the dispute.
(with Agency reports)
Friday, April 25, 2008
Spin doctor Khieu Kanharith sent to defend Hun Sen's war threat on voters should the latter loses the election
Khieu Kanharith: Sam Rainsy’s ambition like Pol Pot’sFriday, April 25, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
In reaction to the SRP’s statement condemning Hun Sen’s words used in his speech in Kratie province as being a threat to the voters, Khieu Kanharith, government spokesman, considers Sam Rainsy’s ambition similar to that of Pol Pot also. Speaking to the Kampuchea Thmei newspaper, Khieu Kanharith said that Sam Rainsy classifies the types of people before he even holds on to power yet, and that this is not different from how Pol Pot was. Khieu Kanharith explained that Hun Sen’s words in Kratie were only used to show how Sam Rainsy would be because the latter incited people in various areas, saying that if he (Sam Rainsy) wins the election, he will take back lands and wealth from the rich to give to the poor, remove all the old investors and replace them with new investors. The toppling policy of (Hun Sen’s regime) by digging the problems all the way to the roots, instigated by Sam Rainsy, causes social instability should Sam Rainsy win.
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