VN condemns removal of border demarcation poles

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/
31-10-2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

HA NOI — Viet Nam has responded strongly to the removal of six temporary border demarcation poles. The poles were to identify Marker No 185 along the border between Viet Nam and Cambodia. The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry blamed Sam Rainsy, President of the Sam Rainsy Party, for the act, describing it as arrogant.

Through spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga, the ministry said the act had damaged the common asset of both Cambodia and Viet Nam, violated the laws of both nations as well as their signed treaties, accords and agreements.

The ministry also said the act hindered the joint border demarcation and marker planting process. Spokeswoman Nga was responding to media queries about Sam Rainsy’s removal of the poles in the border demarcation area between Viet Nam’s Long An Province and Cambodia’s Svay Rieng Province and taking them to Phnom Penh.

"Mr Sam Rainsy also slanderously said on October 25 that Viet Nam had been occupying Cambodia’s land through the process of border demarcation and marker planting," she said.

"Sam Rainsy’s slanderous statements lacked common sense and were irresponsible, and aimed to ignite animosity and sabotage relations between Viet Nam and Cambodia."

The spokeswoman said the two countries were speeding up work on border demarcation and marker planting. Safeguarding temporary poles and border markers was the obligation of the governments and people of both nations.

"The Vietnamese Government vehemently condemns Mr Sam Rainsy’s acts and statements, and requests the Cambodian government take appropriate measures against all acts of sabotage, thus ensuring border demarcation and marker planting work along the Viet Nam-Cambodia border is carried out smoothly," Nga said. — VNS