Police crackdown on protestors

By Touch Yuthea

The Mekong Times

Phnom Penh authorities yesterday deployed riot police armed with batons, shields, and tear gas to crackdown on hundreds of people who had gathered for a trade union-led march against alleged Thai incursions near Preah Vihear temple.The crackdown came as Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers are to meet today in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin in a bid to find a lasting solution to the lingering border dispute, which brought the two neighbors close to an armed clash, AP reported yesterday.The new meeting follows two inconclusive rounds of talks.On July 28, the two nations’ foreign ministers agreed on a plan to withdraw their troops from the disputed area near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple to reduce tensions.Both countries completed moving most of their troops from the nearby Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda Saturday, said Hang Soth, director-general of the Preah Vihear National Authority, a government agency managing the historic site, according to AP. “The tension has eased considerably. There is no more confrontation,” Hang Soth told AP Sunday, calling the troop withdrawals a “good process giving us hope” about the new talks.Information Minister Khieu Kanharith confirmed yesterday that there were only 20 soldiers – 10 Cambodian and 10 Thai – in the grounds of the pagoda.Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak Sundaravej and the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Anupong Paojinda, will visit Thai military officials stationed near Preah Vihear temple this morning, according to the Bangkok Post’s website. General Anupong is expected to oversee the Thai soldiers’ operations along the Thai-Cambodian border. Yesterday’s abortive protest in Phnom Penh, held at the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTU) headquarters, was held in protest against the presence of Thai soldiers on what Cambodia claims is its sovereign territory.Phnom Penh authorities said the demonstrators did not receive official permission and, fearing anti-Thai riots similar to the 2003 troubles that saw the Thai embassy razed to the ground, officers moved in.Demonstrators and human rights groups called the authorities’ actions a violation of human rights. Some protestors were injured though no concrete figures were available.Many have cited today’s bilateral talks as another reason for the police crackdown. Phnom Penh Police Chief Touch Naroth said no demonstration could force Thai forces to withdraw. “This riot, or demonstration, could cause disorder and bigger problems because in the past, illegal demonstrators burned down the Thai embassy, making the government pay tens of millions of dollars back to Thailand … They should travel to encourage soldiers at Preah Vihear temple. It is better. They should not demonstrate in the city center.”But for some, the force had been applied in the wrong place.“The crackdown by Phnom Penh authorities is very bad,” said Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA). “We gathered at our head office. [They] tore down the banners at the head office. This reflects the police’s weaknesses. Cambodians are demonstrating to demand that Thai troops pull out of Cambodian territory, but authorities cracked down [on us] instead. Police should have cooperated with workers and teachers.” FTU President Chea Mony said if the authorities’ harsh response had been leveled at Thai troops, Thai soldiers will not encroach upon Cambodian territory. “I think the suppression showed the weakness of the authorities. For this dispute, we do not need to negotiate with Thailand because Thailand invaded Cambodia. We must file a complaint with the UN Security Council and UNESCO,” he said.