The Cambodian government is launching a wide-ranging diplomatic campaign to solicit international support after the border dispute with Thailand, in which two Cambodian soldiers were killed two others injured in the border area on Wednesday.
The government has asked its ambassador to UN to inform the Security Council about the conflict, said Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong at a press conference held at his ministry.
Cambodia is also seeking all other diplomatic means to solve its months-long confrontation with Thailand over border issues, he said.
The ministry has summoned all foreign ambassadors stationed here, except the one from Thailand, telling them about the two-hour gunfire exchange between Cambodia and Thailand, which started around 2:15 p.m. local time (0715 GMT) at their common border area, about 2,000 meters west of the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, according to the minister.
Cambodian troops sit near the body of a comrade at Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda near the disputed 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh October 15, 2008.
"I just told the ambassadors about the armed clash with Thailand. I told them clearly that we kept our maximum restraints up to now, but we have the right of self-defense and proper response for the matter," he said.
Actually, "we want to have peaceful deal to settle the matter," he added.
In addition, the minister confirmed that both countries will conduct regional military meeting Thursday in Thailand.
"The Royal Government of Cambodia wishes to reiterate its firm commitment to exercising its utmost restraints and to negotiating and working closely with Thailand to avoid large-scale armed hostilities between the two countries," he added.
"Thai troops shot first and Cambodia has the right of defending its own territory," he said, adding that the situation is normal now at the border area.
Meanwhile, during the clash, the Cambodian troops caught 10 Thai soldiers and have provided food for them in accordance with the order of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the minister said.
"We will hand over the detainees to Thailand, if they request us to do so," he added.
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, the Cambodian Council of Ministers issued a statement, saying that "On Oct. 15, 2008, at 0215 p.m., Thai troops attacked the Cambodian troops at three different places deep inside the Cambodian territory."
The statement also specified the places where the attacks were conducted, namely Phnom Trap about 1,600 meters from the border, Pagoda Keo Sikha Kiri Svara about 700 meters from the border, and the Veal Intry area about 1,120 meters from the border, all in the Cambodian territory.
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. In mid-August, most troops withdrew and only a few dozen soldiers stationed near the temple.
Bilateral talks to discuss withdrawing troops from around the temple were postponed late August amid political turmoil in Thailand.
In October, at least one Cambodian soldier and two Thai troops were wounded during an exchange of gunfire and two other Thai soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on a landmine at the border area. |
