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Cambodia reports Thai ‘incursion’

Cambodia has informed the UN Security Council that Thai forces have violated its territory near an ancient World Heritage Site temple where hundreds of troops continued to face off yesterday.

Cambodia’s permanent mission in New York submitted a letter to the chairman of the Security Council and the chairman of the General Assembly to “draw their attention to the current situation on the Cambodian-Thai border,” Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said.

“Cambodia is not asking for UN intervention. We still stick to [Cambodian] Prime Minister Hun Sen’s instructions to try to solve the problem peacefully between the two sides,” the minister told reporters in Phnom Penh.

It was unclear when the letter was submitted.

The conflict over territory surrounding Preah Vihear temple escalated when UNESCO recently approved Cambodia’s application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site. Thai activists fear the new status will undermine Thailand’s claim to nearby land since the border has never been demarcated.

Troops from the opposing forces were on the brink of a shoot-out on Thursday night, which was avoided when Cambodians retreated from a site occupied by the Thais.

Opposing commanders and their troops have tried to defuse tensions, sometimes even sharing meals, snapping photographs and sleeping within easy sight of one another.

A Cambodian general, meanwhile, said he had little hope that upcoming talks between his government and Thailand would resolve the tense border dispute.

Cambodian Brigadier General Chea Keo said Thai troops have deployed an artillery piece about 1km northeast of Preah Vihear temple — the latest escalation ahead of today’s meeting aimed at averting a military confrontation.

“Regarding the talks tomorrow, we have little hope about the outcome,” Chea Keo said.

Despite their pledge to hold talks today in Thailand to try to defuse the tensions, both Cambodia and Thailand have massed troops at the site.

“We continue to be on alert at all time. And at the same time, we keep instructing our soldiers to be patient and avoid being blamed for starting a war,” Chea Keo said yesterday.

The dispute has taken a toll on tourism in the area, with the Thai side closed to visitors. It also is starting to hurt economic relations between the two neighbors.
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