Firing of BM-21 rockets in Kampong Chhnang on Thursday, 4th March.March 5, 2010
Agencies
PONGROR - Cambodia successfully tested a multiple rocket launcher yesterday in a show of force that comes amid simmering tensions with its neighbour Thailand.
Some 200 rounds from the Soviet-made, BM-21 rocket launcher were fired in the mountains of remote Kampong Chhnang province, some 80km north of the capital Phnom Penh.
"This is a normal drill and preparation to defend the nation in case there is an invasion," Prime Minister Hun Sen said.
He has recently made a number of fiery speeches railing against Thai "invaders" and "thieves" in disputed territory around an 11th century temple on Cambodia's border with Thailand, where there have been deadly clashes in the past two years.
But Thailand's government downplayed the Cambodian drill and said there had been no troop reinforcements in the area.
"I don't think Cambodia wants to intimidate us, as we have sent them a clear signal that we don't want the dispute to go out of control," Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Suthep Thaugsuban, said.
Some 200 rounds from the Soviet-made, BM-21 rocket launcher were fired in the mountains of remote Kampong Chhnang province, some 80km north of the capital Phnom Penh.
"This is a normal drill and preparation to defend the nation in case there is an invasion," Prime Minister Hun Sen said.
He has recently made a number of fiery speeches railing against Thai "invaders" and "thieves" in disputed territory around an 11th century temple on Cambodia's border with Thailand, where there have been deadly clashes in the past two years.
But Thailand's government downplayed the Cambodian drill and said there had been no troop reinforcements in the area.
"I don't think Cambodia wants to intimidate us, as we have sent them a clear signal that we don't want the dispute to go out of control," Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Suthep Thaugsuban, said.
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