Thai, Cambodian leaders downplay border fighting

The Nation

By AGENCIES
Published on April 5, 2009

Thailand and Cambodia yesterday played down the renewed border skirmishes on Friday that left at least four soldiers from both sides dead.

However, a tense military stand-off continued ahead of bilateral border talks in the coming week.

Thai Army commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda said that the clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in a disputed area had resulted from "some misunderstanding".

Anupong said soldiers stationed on either side of the border had thought that the other side was intruding into their country's territory. He said Thailand would not use force to resolve the problem.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday struck a conciliatory tone and described the armed clashes as a mere "incident" between neighbours that would not erupt into a war.

"There was brief fighting, but it was like neighbours who live close to each other and always have disputes," Hun Sen said. "Today they have a dispute, then they calm down and talk to each other."

Just a few days earlier, Hun Sen had issued a fierce warning that Thailand would face tough fighting if its troops crossed into disputed territory.

Talks between the two countries have failed to resolve the border dispute, but Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that further discussions would continue as scheduled tomorrow(Monday) and on Tuesday in Phnom Penh.

"I think the talks must go ahead," he told reporters. "I believe the situation has now eased off to some extent, and we don't want to see clashes and losses on either side."

General Anupong yesterday called on the neighbours to resolve their differences through negotiation, the Thai New Agency reported. He said the negotiations would take place at ministerial level as well as with the Cambodian prime minister.

The Army chief said the number of Thai soldiers stationed in the area remained unchanged despite a plan to evacuate villagers living near the disputed area.

Two Thai soldiers and two Cambodian soldiers died in the fighting while nine Thai soldiers were wounded. The clashes took place near the ancient temple called Preah Vihear in Cambodian and Phra Viharn in Thai. Military commanders from both sides said yesterday that calm had been restored after Friday's fight-ing, in which troops exchanged fire with assault rifles and rocket-launchers.

Villagers of Si Sa Ket province living near the disputed border area yesterday were preparing to evacuate to safer areas deeper inside the country. An order issued by the provincial governor instructed residents of 25 border villages considered "risk areas" to prepare for evacuation if a fresh clash erupted or if either side started to reinforce its troops.