Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen makes a speech at Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh July 1, 2009. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA POLITICS)2nd July, 2009
Bangkok Post Reporters
Troop reductions are crucial to easing tensions along the border with Cambodia near the Preah Vihear temple, the 2nd Army commander says.
Lt Gen Wibulsak Neepal yesterday said the two countries should reduce the numbers of soliders deployed in the area to a level where neither country has an edge.
"I am afraid violence might occur if we do not talk," he said.
Border tensions flared again after the Thai government renewed its opposition to Unesco listing the temple as a World Heritage site on Cambodia's behalf.
The issue was addressed by Lt Gen Wibulsak in talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Lt Gen Chea Mon, at the border adjoining Surin's Kap Choeng district.
Lt Gen Wibulsak refused to comment on Thailand's opposition to the temple's listing other than to say: "We do what we are supposed to do. That is to protect our sovereignty."
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for informal talks in Phnom Penh on Saturday. Mr Suthep said Hun Sen supported attempts to ease tensions.
But the Phnom Penh Post yesterday quoted Hun Sen as warning Thailand against violating Cambodian airspace.
"I told the Thai deputy prime minister and minister of defence frankly to be careful and not fly across the border into Cambodian territory," Hun Sen told graduates at the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
"I am afraid that I won't be able to control the shooting if the soldiers on the ground lose patience."
Cambodia had no intention of confronting Thailand but had the right to protect its territorial sovereignty, the Phnom Penh Post quoted him as saying.
"We are waiting to shoot because we are not invading [Thailand]. Cambodia is not showing muscle, but to defend the nation we will play it until the end," Hun Sen said.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday said relations remained strong despite Hun Sen's aggressive words.
Bangkok Post Reporters
Troop reductions are crucial to easing tensions along the border with Cambodia near the Preah Vihear temple, the 2nd Army commander says.
Lt Gen Wibulsak Neepal yesterday said the two countries should reduce the numbers of soliders deployed in the area to a level where neither country has an edge.
"I am afraid violence might occur if we do not talk," he said.
Border tensions flared again after the Thai government renewed its opposition to Unesco listing the temple as a World Heritage site on Cambodia's behalf.
The issue was addressed by Lt Gen Wibulsak in talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Lt Gen Chea Mon, at the border adjoining Surin's Kap Choeng district.
Lt Gen Wibulsak refused to comment on Thailand's opposition to the temple's listing other than to say: "We do what we are supposed to do. That is to protect our sovereignty."
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for informal talks in Phnom Penh on Saturday. Mr Suthep said Hun Sen supported attempts to ease tensions.
But the Phnom Penh Post yesterday quoted Hun Sen as warning Thailand against violating Cambodian airspace.
"I told the Thai deputy prime minister and minister of defence frankly to be careful and not fly across the border into Cambodian territory," Hun Sen told graduates at the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
"I am afraid that I won't be able to control the shooting if the soldiers on the ground lose patience."
Cambodia had no intention of confronting Thailand but had the right to protect its territorial sovereignty, the Phnom Penh Post quoted him as saying.
"We are waiting to shoot because we are not invading [Thailand]. Cambodia is not showing muscle, but to defend the nation we will play it until the end," Hun Sen said.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday said relations remained strong despite Hun Sen's aggressive words.
2 comments:
General Pol Saroeun has been trained by Vietnamese Government. He can order vietnamese troops on the west and the east of vietnamese bases when need. In the secret meeting between H.E. Hun Sen and the Thai deputy priminister, H.E. Hun Sen has threaten Thai government by showing the Cambodian-Vietnamese Treaty on Army agreement and coopeartion. He also showed many facilities and armo that Vietnamese could provide for Royal Cambodian Arm Forces (RCAF). He say he and his army are ready for fight. He let his wife cook the Mixed Vegetables Soup (Kor_Ko Soup). It means that he want to show thai that in Cambodia, there are more than Cambodian army involved in the war if the war was happended. That's mean Cambodia has a lot of supports from Vietnamese and Chinese. Thai should learn about this. He confirm that Thai army must withdraw from Cambodian as soon as possible, and he does not gurantee how casualities would occur because Cambodians have enough force, modern weapons, and support from his neighbors.
Over all, The deputy of prime minister went back home and then tell the Thai prime minister and the General Anu Pong about this.
Just wait and see now...What would happen.? Is Thailand afraid of this threatening or not? What are their reactions?
Cut troops is not enough. Total withdrawal is the solution. All Thai troops must be withdrawn from Cambodian territories.
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