Radio Free Asia
By Zakariya
4th March, 2009
Reported in English by Khmerization
A senior official of Cambodian Foreign Ministry dismissed Radio Free Asia's report that Thai soldiers had moved border markers deep inside Khmer territories.
Mr. Long Visalo (pictured), Secretary of State of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that he does not believe that Thailand had moved border markers deeper inside Khmer territories in Battambang province as reported by RFA.
He said: "The French colonial authority had planted 73 border markers. In mid 2003 we and Thailand had planted the border markers in the areas and Thailand fully agreed with the new border markers that we planted. I don't believe that there is a movement of border markers because our technical teams from both countries went to examine the locations together. Secondly, we both used the 1:200,000 scale maps drawn by the Franco-Siamese Mixed Border Commission in 1907-1908. And the 2000's Memorandum of Understanding stressed that we need to use maps drawn by the Franco-Siamese Mixed Border Commission to solve the border disputes. But when they (the Cambodian army) use the 1961 maps, I cannot be responsible for that (for any loss of our territories)."
On 1st March, 2009, the commander of division 817, Mr. Srey Sokhorn, told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that Thai soldiers had moved border markers deeper inside Khmer territories from between 40-150 metres at various points at Phnom Preuk in Battambang province, according to the 1961 maps.
Asked whether Thai soldiers had really moved the border markers deep inside Khmer territories or not, Mr. Long Visalo said: "I cannot comment because I don't know anything about it. But if our border soldiers saw that the Thais had moved the border markers deep inside our territories, they should report to the Ministry of Interior or Border Committee. But they didn't report, they only talk, how do I know anything?"
According to Mr. Srey Sokhorn, Thai soldiers had moved the border markers deep inside Khmer territories from 40-150 metres and they have built a paved road cutting through Khmer territories at Phnom Preuk in Battambang province, opposite of Thailand's Sakeo province.
By Zakariya
4th March, 2009
Reported in English by Khmerization
A senior official of Cambodian Foreign Ministry dismissed Radio Free Asia's report that Thai soldiers had moved border markers deep inside Khmer territories.
Mr. Long Visalo (pictured), Secretary of State of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that he does not believe that Thailand had moved border markers deeper inside Khmer territories in Battambang province as reported by RFA.
He said: "The French colonial authority had planted 73 border markers. In mid 2003 we and Thailand had planted the border markers in the areas and Thailand fully agreed with the new border markers that we planted. I don't believe that there is a movement of border markers because our technical teams from both countries went to examine the locations together. Secondly, we both used the 1:200,000 scale maps drawn by the Franco-Siamese Mixed Border Commission in 1907-1908. And the 2000's Memorandum of Understanding stressed that we need to use maps drawn by the Franco-Siamese Mixed Border Commission to solve the border disputes. But when they (the Cambodian army) use the 1961 maps, I cannot be responsible for that (for any loss of our territories)."
On 1st March, 2009, the commander of division 817, Mr. Srey Sokhorn, told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that Thai soldiers had moved border markers deeper inside Khmer territories from between 40-150 metres at various points at Phnom Preuk in Battambang province, according to the 1961 maps.
Asked whether Thai soldiers had really moved the border markers deep inside Khmer territories or not, Mr. Long Visalo said: "I cannot comment because I don't know anything about it. But if our border soldiers saw that the Thais had moved the border markers deep inside our territories, they should report to the Ministry of Interior or Border Committee. But they didn't report, they only talk, how do I know anything?"
According to Mr. Srey Sokhorn, Thai soldiers had moved the border markers deep inside Khmer territories from 40-150 metres and they have built a paved road cutting through Khmer territories at Phnom Preuk in Battambang province, opposite of Thailand's Sakeo province.
2 comments:
If thai have moved all the border maker next Hun Sen's house and will still be ok for them.
How pathetic is Mr. Long Visalo. He is a Cambodian minister who is supposed to support his border soldiers. How can he dismiss the reports from his soldiers about Thai encroachments without actually going there to see with his own eyes. Instead of supporting them, he blamed them for falsely accusing Thai soldiers of moving the border markers. If he is a patriotic and responsible minister, he should send his officials to verify the claims on the grounds immediately. He is a useless minister.
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