Cambodian and Thai commanders during negotiations near Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia, 18 Oct 2008By Rory Byrne
Voice of America
Phnom Penh
22 October 2008
Nationalist fervor has been rising in Cambodia as anger mounts over what Cambodians consider to be an illegal occupation of their land around the Preah Vihear temple by Thai troops. However, with bitter memories of three decades of war still fresh in many people's minds, political analysts say the Cambodian government will continue to seek a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Rory Byrne has this report from Phnom Penh.
Buddhist services were held across Cambodia for the three soldiers killed in fighting with Thai troops around Preah Vihear temple on October 16.
Nationalist anger has risen in Cambodia since last week when Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged gunfire around the temple. Cambodians consider the dispute over land just the latest in a long series of arguments over land with their more powerful neighbor.
In 1962, The International Court of Justice ruled the 900-year-old temple lies in Cambodia, but a main access route to it is in Thailand. The dispute over the land was dormant for decades, however, until a few months ago, when Thai nationalists objected to Cambodia's petition to have the complex declared a United Nations World Heritage site.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen recently threatened to turn the area around the temple into a "life and death battlefield" if Thailand refused to withdraw its soldiers from what he says is Cambodian territory. The Thais deny crossing into Cambodia.
Chea Vannath is an independent political analyst in Phnom Penh. She says that in light of Mr. Hun Sen's victory in recent elections, he is anxious to prove his strongman credentials to the domestic audience.
"He [has] achieved a lot of things already in his political life and it's time for him to prove that he's really serious about protecting the integrity and sovereignty of Cambodia," Chea said. "It's just the right time, because he won 90 seats - a landslide victory, he got everything, so this one is the next stage."
However, some political analysts in Cambodia say the last thing the country really wants is a war with Thailand. Cambodia's economy is growing but the country remains poor and is still recovering from three decades of conflict.
Plus, the army is small and ill-equipped compared with Thai forces.
But, say some Cambodians, many of its troops are hardened fighters experienced in guerrilla warfare. Even Mr. Hun Sen noted that strength, saying "Ants can hurt elephants."
Chea Vannath says despite rhetoric, the government will search for a diplomatic solution.
"We have plenty of peaceful negotiation institutions such as [the] U.N. or ASEAN or the Paris Peace Agreement or the International Court," Chea said. "So we have plenty of mechanisms rather than focusing on force because when it gets to war both countries stand to lose."
Mr. Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat are expected to discuss the dispute on Friday or Saturday while they attend a summit with European leaders in Beijing.
So far, peace talks have made little progress and Cambodian and Thai troops reportedly are digging in deeper around Preah Vihear, preparing for a long standoff.
Buddhist services were held across Cambodia for the three soldiers killed in fighting with Thai troops around Preah Vihear temple on October 16.
Nationalist anger has risen in Cambodia since last week when Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged gunfire around the temple. Cambodians consider the dispute over land just the latest in a long series of arguments over land with their more powerful neighbor.
In 1962, The International Court of Justice ruled the 900-year-old temple lies in Cambodia, but a main access route to it is in Thailand. The dispute over the land was dormant for decades, however, until a few months ago, when Thai nationalists objected to Cambodia's petition to have the complex declared a United Nations World Heritage site.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen recently threatened to turn the area around the temple into a "life and death battlefield" if Thailand refused to withdraw its soldiers from what he says is Cambodian territory. The Thais deny crossing into Cambodia.
Chea Vannath is an independent political analyst in Phnom Penh. She says that in light of Mr. Hun Sen's victory in recent elections, he is anxious to prove his strongman credentials to the domestic audience.
"He [has] achieved a lot of things already in his political life and it's time for him to prove that he's really serious about protecting the integrity and sovereignty of Cambodia," Chea said. "It's just the right time, because he won 90 seats - a landslide victory, he got everything, so this one is the next stage."
However, some political analysts in Cambodia say the last thing the country really wants is a war with Thailand. Cambodia's economy is growing but the country remains poor and is still recovering from three decades of conflict.
Plus, the army is small and ill-equipped compared with Thai forces.
But, say some Cambodians, many of its troops are hardened fighters experienced in guerrilla warfare. Even Mr. Hun Sen noted that strength, saying "Ants can hurt elephants."
Chea Vannath says despite rhetoric, the government will search for a diplomatic solution.
"We have plenty of peaceful negotiation institutions such as [the] U.N. or ASEAN or the Paris Peace Agreement or the International Court," Chea said. "So we have plenty of mechanisms rather than focusing on force because when it gets to war both countries stand to lose."
Mr. Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat are expected to discuss the dispute on Friday or Saturday while they attend a summit with European leaders in Beijing.
So far, peace talks have made little progress and Cambodian and Thai troops reportedly are digging in deeper around Preah Vihear, preparing for a long standoff.
18 comments:
Declare war on THAI!!
Damn gay THAI King!
Down the SIAM!
The temple belongs to Khmer on the mountain.
Keep boycotting the Thai and Viet products. We don't need invaders products.
Ask for product made in Cambodia.
O.K, those monkey Khmer in Thailand need to break away from Thai and rejoin with us Khmer the fromer (Khmer Empire).
Surin, Borirum, Nokor Reach and much more!! Come back and rejoin us Khmer.
Khmer Kandal,
The Islamic insurgents are very active these days in southern Thailand.
The Thai is digging their grave! If the Thai generals think that this will be another trench warfare and it will be their biggest mistake! The Thai better withdraw their troop from Cambodian territories now!
Thai leaders have no right to enforce the cold war map on Cambodian leaders!
It doesn't matter you scare Thai,Thai won't leave you alone,so what is the conclusion on this matters ? kick Thai ass back and go to international court again.Please learn from bully school,if Thai dares kick ours we have to kick back harder .
Borisothkhmer ca
Agree.
If somebody throw a punch on your face you beat the crap out of him.
Then if he want to suit you, then go to court.
The dead is always wrong, so make sure to live no matter what.
This is not bullying its calls leave me alone and self defense.
how about yuon border??????why only thai border????yuon live all over your head....and why uuuu did not act anything.....are uuu pro yuon and want to be yuon....already....not to long it will be yuon live and take over power in cambodia and cambodian will be really their servant for sure....act now.....don't just think about thai....not many thai actually live in cambodia vs. yuon........
Those Khmer in Thailand if you want a pieace of these temples such as: Prasat Preah Vihear, Prasat Angkor Wat please break away from Thaiand and rejoin the motherland. It is not too late! Come and rejoin us!!
Khmer PP,
We jati Khmer who care so much about our territory but the Khmwer'PM who seem don't care why because he deosn't wants to bring this issue to UN for what reason? we all should know. So no matter how big or small you care the answer is ZERO.
HUN SEN must go to UN regardless of what he gave or signed the agreement with the YOUN. He must go and retake all!
HUN SEN is scared because the UN or the Paris's treaty agreement will reveal all of what HUN SEN gave to YOUN.
The Thai is tried to help the Khmer from being swallowed by YOUN in the eastern borders. YOUN slowly swallow you thats why we Khmer in Thailand don't want that to happen. We want to retake Phnom Penh back for our brother Khmer. Not those YOUN have all Khmer's name but their looks are all YOUN.
Khmer wake up!!
Should we consider the thai king as smart or stupid to hold Cambodia as hostage to resolve this problem with Taksin group? Or may be he is neither smart or stupid but, as most siamese stooges, the dam thai king has a limit brain capacity to project himself and thailand on long term scheme with all its consequences ?
Or does thai people and its leaders see other solution to resolve its internal problem than to hold Cambodia as hostage?
Phnom Penh is full YOUN with Khmer's names. Better watch out!
We Khmer in Thailand wants to liberate you out of the Vietnamization.
Wake up Khmer!
MÊ VEAR SIHANOUK!MÊ VEAR SIHANOUK!MÊ VEAR SIHANOUK!MÊ VEAR SIHANOUK!
I think everybody, EXCEPT Thai, has been pretty well aware of the root causes of the problem. However, I wish to reiterate for all foreigners and the world to be clear that it is always and forever Thailand, not Cambodia, who was, is and will be the problem. Needless to say more, I'd like you all to look into the political and historical conduct of Thailand towards its neighbors--all the countries surrounding and sharing borders with it--as a good example. It is undoubtedly clear that because of its greedy, hypocritical, vicious, cunning attitude, Thailand has never been liked by its neighbors, not at all. It is a race good at exploiting, bullying its less powerful small neighbors, very good at kowtowing to more influential nations for its own gains, and very good at twisting the history and altering the truth.
So, all I want to say is that any dealings with Thailand in any matters of national importance can never be trusted nor lead to any fair, mutual benefits.
It's NO good, because Thailand is NO good as a nation.
--From a Khmer Student educated in Cambodia and USA
We are the protector of Khmer land. We will conquer and tremble our Siem enemies down to the ground and rotten under the earth. Spirit of our great kings, leaders, grand-fathers, fathers, will protect us and curse our Siem enemies to eternity.
Seim will be bleed and Bangkok will be destroyed. Down you go the black heart siem. You will be curse for the rest of your next generation and on. You will be born with sad and sorrow that will never end.
May our ancestors spirit bless my fellow Khmer soldiers to victory.
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