By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
11 April 2008
Thai officials censured the Cambodian government Thursday, claiming it had sent soldiers into a disputed area near a contentious temple in Preah Vihear province.
The Preah Vihear temple, subject of many diplomatic rows in recent years, is perched atop a cliff straddling the border between Cambodia and Thailand.
The Thai foreign ministry protested the alleged troop deployment to Cambodia's ambassador, the Bangkok Post reported. Soldiers had been demining in a disputed area, the Post reported.
Uch Borith, secretary of state for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called the allegations "baseless."
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith denied any deployment of troops and asked the Thai government to properly resolve problems before speaking to the press.
"I, the spokesman of the Cambodian government, confirm that the government did not mobilize any troops or add more troops at all" to the area, he said. "We regret that the Thai side did not discuss first with the competent authorities, with which we have an agreement. If it thinks about the friendship between both countries, and about membership in Asean, the Thai government should review the agreement on the resolution of conflict."
Original report from Phnom Penh
11 April 2008
Thai officials censured the Cambodian government Thursday, claiming it had sent soldiers into a disputed area near a contentious temple in Preah Vihear province.
The Preah Vihear temple, subject of many diplomatic rows in recent years, is perched atop a cliff straddling the border between Cambodia and Thailand.
The Thai foreign ministry protested the alleged troop deployment to Cambodia's ambassador, the Bangkok Post reported. Soldiers had been demining in a disputed area, the Post reported.
Uch Borith, secretary of state for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called the allegations "baseless."
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith denied any deployment of troops and asked the Thai government to properly resolve problems before speaking to the press.
"I, the spokesman of the Cambodian government, confirm that the government did not mobilize any troops or add more troops at all" to the area, he said. "We regret that the Thai side did not discuss first with the competent authorities, with which we have an agreement. If it thinks about the friendship between both countries, and about membership in Asean, the Thai government should review the agreement on the resolution of conflict."
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