Cambodian battle tanks being withdrawn on 26th August from the frontlines. PHNOM PENH, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has withdrawn several tanks from the frontier with Thailand, the local media reported Thursday.
"The withdrawal of the military tanks was ordered by Prime Minister Hun Sen last Sunday and those tanks have to go back to their strongholds," Chea Dara, deputy commander-in-chief of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces quoted by the Khmer language newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea as saying.
"We want to see border with full security, safety, good development without arm confrontation with neighboring countries," he added.
"We withdrew our tanks starting on August 26," he said, adding that "those tanks moved back to their headquarters but if the situation is changed, we still enable to mobilize as quickly as possible to the border."
Cambodian and Thai troops have confronted with heavy weapons at the border particularly at areas near 11th century khmer Preah Viheat temple since July 15, 2008 and it caused casualties on both sides when armed clashes occurred.
After negotiations including top level meeting of Prime Ministers, Foreign ministers and commanders at regions, they agreed to reduce troops and withdrew subsequently to pave the way for the joint border committees from both sides to measure the land at the areas and plant the border markers.
Editor: Xiong Tong
"The withdrawal of the military tanks was ordered by Prime Minister Hun Sen last Sunday and those tanks have to go back to their strongholds," Chea Dara, deputy commander-in-chief of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces quoted by the Khmer language newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea as saying.
"We want to see border with full security, safety, good development without arm confrontation with neighboring countries," he added.
"We withdrew our tanks starting on August 26," he said, adding that "those tanks moved back to their headquarters but if the situation is changed, we still enable to mobilize as quickly as possible to the border."
Cambodian and Thai troops have confronted with heavy weapons at the border particularly at areas near 11th century khmer Preah Viheat temple since July 15, 2008 and it caused casualties on both sides when armed clashes occurred.
After negotiations including top level meeting of Prime Ministers, Foreign ministers and commanders at regions, they agreed to reduce troops and withdrew subsequently to pave the way for the joint border committees from both sides to measure the land at the areas and plant the border markers.
Editor: Xiong Tong
3 comments:
Has Cambodia really been buying tanks when the schools, roads and hospitals are in an appalling state???
These tanks are most likely left-over's from the 80's era. Very much support the well equipped hospitals, schools, roads, and all, because they are the backbone and future of Cambodia. But have to ask youself, how can you progress and prosper if outside forces continue to intimidate and encroach on your sovereignty and security. Especially the one that is clear and present. Suggest for you to put some thoughts into it.
Got to say though that these tanks are considered almost obsolete but they still look menacing and quite effective in the right hands.
Cambodia is still slowly rehabilitating from a 30 years war. Schools, hospitals, and other infrastructures such as roads, bridges, and ports are getting the attention. The politic of Cambodia may saturated with corruptions to slow down those works, but things are still getting done. Cambodia didn't think her neighbor to the left would pull such stunt. The clash at Preah Vihear is a reminder that Cambodia will always be threaten by Thailand, as a bully to the west. Hopefully, this will help clean up the politicians acts to be more organize and become more aware that threaten from the outside is greater than the threat from the inside. Thanks to Thailand, Cambodia has seen the light and has no choice but to boost its military defense. Prior, Cambodia only spend about 5% of GDP for defense. The tanks you saw are incomparable to what Thailand has but the weapon is still effective enough to do damages. In the future, Cambodia troops will be well trained and well equipt and the weapons will be more modern and destructive, maybe then Thailand will find itself more worthy to pick a fight with Cambodia.
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