Radio Free Asia
By Chea Makara
27th December, 2008
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization
The Cambodian government has reiterated that Cambodia is ready if Thailand violates the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Cambodia while the current border disputes have not yet been resolved.
Minister of Information and government spokesman, Mr. Khieu Kanharith, has told reporters on Saturday like this: “If Thailand decided to invade, we will not allow them to invade us easily. We have been prepared, even if Thailand has many jet fighters, that we are ready because in the war it is not important if they have jet fighters or not, because in the early stages of fighting they have to consider which side will suffer the most heaviest casualties. So, it is not so easy for Thailand (to invade Cambodia).”
Mr. Khieu Kanharith said that if the fighting along the borders erupted, Cambodian requires around 17,000 to 20,000 troops.
He added that after the clashes between Khmer-Thai troops on the 15th of October, 2008, the Cambodian government has conceptualised three possible scenarios. First, Cambodia and Thailand must resolve all border problems in a total package. Secondly, there will be military confrontations without actual fighting occurring. And thirdly, wars will break out along the borders between the two countries.
Mr. Khieu Kanharith added that the Cambodian government has chosen the second scenario and that is to avoid armed conflict and continue to engage in bilateral talks and the Cambodian government can complain to the United Nations only when Thailand invades Cambodian territories.
Please note that border disputes with Thailand had occurred after Unesco had decided to inscribe the Preah Vihear temple into a world heritage list in July, 2008.
By Chea Makara
27th December, 2008
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization
The Cambodian government has reiterated that Cambodia is ready if Thailand violates the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Cambodia while the current border disputes have not yet been resolved.
Minister of Information and government spokesman, Mr. Khieu Kanharith, has told reporters on Saturday like this: “If Thailand decided to invade, we will not allow them to invade us easily. We have been prepared, even if Thailand has many jet fighters, that we are ready because in the war it is not important if they have jet fighters or not, because in the early stages of fighting they have to consider which side will suffer the most heaviest casualties. So, it is not so easy for Thailand (to invade Cambodia).”
Mr. Khieu Kanharith said that if the fighting along the borders erupted, Cambodian requires around 17,000 to 20,000 troops.
He added that after the clashes between Khmer-Thai troops on the 15th of October, 2008, the Cambodian government has conceptualised three possible scenarios. First, Cambodia and Thailand must resolve all border problems in a total package. Secondly, there will be military confrontations without actual fighting occurring. And thirdly, wars will break out along the borders between the two countries.
Mr. Khieu Kanharith added that the Cambodian government has chosen the second scenario and that is to avoid armed conflict and continue to engage in bilateral talks and the Cambodian government can complain to the United Nations only when Thailand invades Cambodian territories.
Please note that border disputes with Thailand had occurred after Unesco had decided to inscribe the Preah Vihear temple into a world heritage list in July, 2008.
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