Cambodia accuses Thailand of occupying its land through de-mining operation

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua)- The Cambodian government Thursday issued a statement, accusing Thailand of occupying its territory by sending troops in the border area in the name "de-mining activity."

Cambodian soldiers sit on an armored vehicle at Sraem village in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Oct 16, 2008. [Agencies]

Thursday's statement from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that "the unilateral de-mining activity by Thai soldiers in Cambodia's territory flagrantly contravenes the agreement made by both sides in the past."

Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 14 said Thailand sent troops in the border area to undertake "de-mining efforts in the area adjacent to the Preah Vihear Temple" and "investigations to verify whether the landmines in the area are old ones or recently deployed."

The Cambodian statement quoted three documents signed by both sides to deny the legitimacy of Thailand's de-mining and investigating operations.

By the "de-mining activity, Thai forces were in effect occupying the areas which are clearly situated within Cambodia's territory as demarcated by the relevant maps repeatedly endorsed by the two countries and recognized by the International Court of Justice as the basis for its judgment concerning the Preah Vihear Temple in 1962," it said.

Cambodia strongly reaffirms the fact that landmines in this border area are remnants of almost three decades of war, it said.

"It is quite apparent that Thai soldiers must have stepped on one of those mine after having trespassed into this mine-infested area near the border," it added.

The Cambodian and Thai militaries just agreed Thursday afternoon in Thailand to hold joint patrols to reduce tension at the disputed border area near the temple, where a gun battle between the two sides a day earlier left two Cambodian soldiers dead.

In July, tensions ran high after the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was awarded world heritage status by UNESCO, angering nationalists in Thailand who still claim ownership of the site.

The tension later turned into a military stalemate, in which up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for six weeks.

Bilateral talks to discuss withdrawing troops from around the temple were postponed late August amid political turmoil in Thailand.

In early October, at least one Cambodian soldier and two Thai troops were wounded during sporadic exchange of gunfire and two other Thai soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on a landmine at the border area.