A Change of Guard

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Friday 26 February 2010

Suthep downplays Hun Sen's planned visit

Hun Sen's visit to Preah Vihear temple on 6th February, 2010.

Published: 26/02/2010
Bangkok Post

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday downplayed concerns over the planned weekend visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to Cambodian troops near the Thai border, saying security measures along the border was well-prepared.

Mr Suthep, who oversees national security, was respondnig to questions about a report in the Cambodian English-language newspaper the Phnom Penh Post that Hun Sen will visit his troops near the Thai border in Battambang province on Saturday, and that soldiers in Kampong Chhnang province will also conduct military exercises and will test launch BM-21 rockets on March 5.

He said it was perfectly normal for Hun Sen to travel wherever he wants within Cambodia. The government already had adequate security measures in place along the Thai-Cambodian border. There was no need for any other action.

"I don't believe that the test firing will threaten Thailand's security," Mr Suthep said. "The Thai army stands ready to protect our national sovereignty."

Hun Sen was earlier quoted as telling a Phnom Penh newspaper that the rocket tests were aimed at strenghtening the readiness of the country's military. The rockets had a frange of 40km, but the troops would normally fire them less than half the distance.

“We are not flexing our muscles – this is work to strengthen the abilities of the military in national defence,” Hun Sen said.

The Cambodian leader dismissed accusations that his trip is linked to the court verdict on the 76 billion baht in frozen assets of Thaksin Shinawatra, who he appointed as his adviser.

Hun Sen said that this weekend's planned visit is a "normal" visit to the soldiers and it should not be linked with anything happening in Bangkok.

Early this month, the Cambodian premier visited his troops stationed on the disputed Thai border around the ancient Preah Vihear temple, claiming that the visit is aimed at boosting the spirit of the Cambodian troops.

But he was denied entry by Thai authorities to the Ta Muen [Moan] Thom ruins, which are inside the Thai border in Surin province.[According to maps attached to the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty signed between Cambodia and Thailand, Ta Moan Thom temple was put well inside Cambodia.]

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

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