Peace prevails during Hun Sen visit

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Sun, Feb 07, 2010

The Nation/Asia News Network

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's tour yesterday morning of Preah Vihear Temple - the subject of conflicting territorial claims with Thailand - went off without any incidents, but doubts remained as to his intentions in making the visit.

Arriving at 10am in fatigues, Hen Sen was met by Second Army Area chief Lt-General Veerawit Kajornrith and Si Sa Ket Governor Rapee Pongbupakit. Thai Ambassador to Cambodia Prasart Prasartvinichai was also present.

Earlier at 9am, there were some tense moments at Kaewsikhakirisawaria Temple in the disputed area, but no gunfire was exchanged.

A group of Thais led by rural activist Veeraphon Sopha said they would defend the sovereignity of the four border provinces of Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Sa Kaew.

They vowed to start up villages along the border to prevent Cambodians from occupying Thai soil.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said if the Cambodian premier enters Thai territory, then there will be people ready to receive him.

The situation remained normal, but Hun Sen has been making comments about Thai politics as former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra makes political moves, he said.

Noppadon Pattama, a former foreign minister and Thaksin's legal aide, criticised the Democrat Party and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for spreading a "lie" about Thaksin obtaining Cambodian citizenship.

Thaksin travels on Montenegro and Nicaraguan passports but is not a citizen of the two countries, he said.

Cambodia's Rasmi Kampuchia reported on Friday that Thailand is entering a state of anarchy with the red shirts - Thaksin sympathisers - ready to overthrow the government. The paper blamed the PAD for distracting public attention with the border dispute.

Recruitment for Thaksin's People's Army ended in Bangkok but more enlistment opportunities will be held upcountry, said Army specialist Maj-General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol.

The formation of the controversial armed offshoot of the red shirt movement was aimed at ensuring protection for demonstrators during the upcoming bid to topple the government, he said.

The reports of General Panlop Pinmanee resigning from the red-shirt movement were unfounded, he said.

"It was a misunderstanding on the part of red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan. But I have discussed the matter with [red-shirt leaders] Veera Musigapong and Natthawut Saikua and the misunderstanding will be cleared."

Jatuporn said he would call both Khattiya and Panlop tomorrow to arrange a meeting to sort out the differences.

He said he alone couldn't approve the idea of a people's army as the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) is an organisation with a committee making decisions.

"We must discuss the matter because we do not want to lose before engaging in a battle," he said.

Panlop should have discussed the matter with DAAD before leaking it to the media, he said.

Abhisit said he has no problem with Panlop leaving the red-shirt movement or the setting up of a people's army as long as it's not illegal.

Troop boost for Hun Sen temple visit

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FEARS YELLOW SHIRTS WILL SPARK CLASH

Published: 7/02/2010 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

The army is reinforcing Ta Muan Thom temple in Surin ahead of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit, amid reports that yellow shirts will turn up to protest at his presence.

Hun Sen yesterday wrapped up his first day of a border visit near Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district without incident.

The Cambodian leader's visit to Preah Vihear temple took about half an hour. He was greeted by a Thai delegation led by 2nd Army commander Weewalit Chornsamrit.

Hun Sen, accompanied by his wife, Bun Rany, both dressed in camouflage fatigues, toured the ancient Preah Vihear temple at the centre of a land dispute with Thailand and met members of the Thai military who guarded the area.

He thanked the Thai government for the warm welcome with a special note to Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban that he wished to invite him to Preah Vihear temple.

Hun Sen asked the Thais "to avoid fighting because we are neighbours, we cannot be enemies forever."

Maj Gen Weewalit quoted the Cambodian premier as saying that he would like "things to go back to normal", to the time before the border dispute erupted in July 2008.

"He told me that his intention for being there is to bring about peace and happiness," he said.

Maj Gen Weewalit said he was assigned to welcome Hun Sen to send a message that Thailand is firm on its ownership claim over the disputed territory covering 4.6 square kilometres near the temple.

The army did not allow the media to go through checkpoints that lead to the temple from Thai soil.

Relations worsened last year after Cambodia appointed former PM Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser.

Meanwhile, in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district, both Thai and Cambodian forces are increasing their military presence ahead of Hun Sen's visit to Ta Muan Thom temple.

Cambodia has not confirmed the exact date of the visit, but it is likely to be today or tomorrow.

More than 100 Thai troops were sent to the area yesterday.

An operation unit has been set up to provide support and reinforce military operations in case of a confrontation.

Pol Col Adul Boonthamcharoen, commander of the 26th ranger regiment, and Cambodian military officers were in talks to avoid any clashes.

Ta Muan Thom temple is declared off-limits to tourists and villagers for security reasons.

Maj Gen Weewalit, however, denied any efforts were underway to increase troops at Ta Muan Thom temple, which is under the supervision of Thai armed forces.

"The army will have to be more cautious there because we hear that PAD [People's Alliance for Democracy] protesters will show up.

"We don't want to see tension along the border," he said.

The PAD opposes Hun Sen's visit to the area, and champions Thailand's ownership claims over the disputed land.

The Cambodian leader earlier began a tour of the area by opening a school and giving supplies to villagers caught up in a border clash last April.

"I have never asked for compensation. For me, it doesn't matter about compensation," said Hun Sen, referring to the destruction of a Cambodian market during the gun battle.

"They [the Thais] have invaded us and look down on us.

"They are still keeping it in their minds to invade Cambodia and do not know when they will stop. The invaders have never left us, even though they can kill their own citizens," he told the crowd.

Cambodia has denied a report that Thaksin was granted Cambodian citizenship.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the allegation, which surfaced this week on Khmer Intelligence News, a Cambodian anti-government website, was untrue.

The report had drawn threats that Thaksin could lose his Thai citizenship.

Hun Sen stirs Thai protests

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Feb 7, 2010

Cambodian PM accuses Thailand of plotting invasion during tour of disputed Preah Vihear

PREAH VIHEAR - CAMBODIAN Premier Hun Sen visited a disputed border area with Thailand yesterday, angering the neighbouring nation amid an ongoing diplomatic spat.

Mr Hun Sen and his wife Bun Rany briefly toured the ancient Preah Vihear temple at the centre of the land dispute and met members of the Thai military guarding the area.

He asked the Thais 'to avoid fighting because we are neighbours', but his presence in the area attracted more than 100 protesters on the Thai side of the border.

Thai soldiers had set up a barbed-wire fence at the entrance to the temple national park to prevent people from trespassing on the disputed area, the Bangkok Post said.

Four soldiers were killed in clashes in the temple area in 2008 and three more in a gun battle last April. Smaller flare-ups continue to be reported between troops in the area.

Mr Hun Sen earlier began a tour of the area by opening a school and giving supplies to villagers who had been caught in last April's violence. 'For me, it doesn't matter about compensation,' said Mr Hun Sen, referring to a Cambodian market that was destroyed during the gun battle. 'They (the Thais) have invaded us and look down on us.' -- AFP

PM Hun Sen speech at Preah Vihear temple (Khmer Language)

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Pictures of Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to Preah Vihear on 6th February 2010.

Hun Sen (L) chatting with Thai officials and army officers at Preah Vihear temple.

Cambodia to Spend US$100 Million for Military Development near Thai Border

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Saturday, 06 February 2010 19:02 DAP-NEWS/ Ek Madra

PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia, Feb. 6, 2010- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Saturday that his government to invest $100 million for the development of military and social sector in Preah Vihear province alone, the move aimed at strengthening its defense system and the living standard of the locals.

"This amount of money ($100 million) is not going to spend in the field of defense operation, but also to invest in the social development in this area," Hun Sen said without details.

Hun Sen assured that assured that his ruling party officials are always there to support military operations to protect the nation from being invaded by any foreign invaders including Thailand.

Roads, bridges and military bases as well as military's houses have been built and upgraded across the province, where the Temple of Preah Vihear located.

"These facilities enable our soldiers to strengthen their capacities so as to prevent any invasion of the tricky neighbor," Hun Sen said referring to Thailand.

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who is also Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, said he was pleased with the progress has been made by the Royal Cambodia Armed Force (RCAF) over the constructions of military facilities on the 820 hectares of land.

"But we cannot achieve the every thing overnight," said Dr. Sok An.

"At the same time we must take tough preventive measure on any foreign aggression of taking Cambodian land. We never let any foreign country takes Cambodian land even a single inch," he said.

The government will invest more in the defense field as long as the ruling party of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) continues to stay in power, said the officials.

Hun Sen recalled then the King Norodom Sihanouk who won the case against Thailand over Cambodia's claimed the Temple of Preah Vihear in which the U.N. court of International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962 ruled out that: the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

"I assured our retired King Norodom Sihanouk that we are doing our best to protect the territory from being aggressive by any foreign countries," he told to more than 4,000 soldiers who attended the ceremony, which displayed more than 20 tanks, heavy weapons including missiles.

"We do not want bloodshed with Thailand, but we will only if it's necessary," he was speaking at the inauguration of a US$3.5 million newly built military headquarter, which was funded by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An, also minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Minister.

"We are avoiding any militarily confrontation as fighting each other is so bad. But this issue is completely depends on the Bangkok government," Hun Sen told the crowd.

He also slammed the Thais Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who was quoted in Thais media this week saying that Cambodia's leaders should negotiate first with Thailand before Hun Sen himself is going to visit the Temple of Preah Vihear.

"Where is the 4.6 square km of disputed area," Hun Sen asked.

"We, Cambodia, have never accepted any Thais unilateral map." he said loud.

"Cambodia troops must not pull out from the area. I do not need any negotiation with you (Thailand). That is our land and we do not need you to come and welcome us on our land," Hun Sen said before he headed off to visit the Temple.

"I can go any time I want to and I can go anywhere if I want to. It is up to me, not you (Thailand's leader)," he responded to Thais leader comments.

The relations of the two Asian nations have turned sour since Thailand was not pleased with the UNESCO listed the Temple in July, 2008.

The Cambodian Prime Minister warned that Phnom Penh will never reopen its entrance gate, which could be accessed from the Thais side unless the border situation to return to the situation before 15 July, 2008, when both troops clashed and the relations of the two Asian nations turned rocky since.

At least six soldiers were killed from both sides since the two Asian neighbors' military armed clashed, which have been locked in a standoff since 2008, near at the Temple of Preah Vihear.

Hun Sen has regarded the armed clashes as incidence, not war.

The Cambodian 900-year-old Temple of Preah Vihear was listed by the UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 2008.

Peace prevails during Hun Sen visit

via CAAI News Media

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on February 7, 2010

Doubts remain over Cambodian premier's intentions; Noppadon |slams report on ex-PM Thaksin's Cambodian citizenship as a lie

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's tour yesterday morning of Preah Vihear Temple - the subject of conflicting territorial claims with Thailand - went off without any incidents, but doubts remained as to his intentions in making the visit.

Arriving at 10am in fatigues, Hen Sen was met by Second Army Area chief Lt-General Veerawit Kajornrith and Si Sa Ket Governor Rapee Pongbupakit. Thai Ambassador to Cambodia Prasart Prasartvinichai was also present.

Earlier at 9am, there were some tense moments at Kaewsikhakirisawaria Temple in the disputed area, but no gunfire was exchanged.

A group of Thais led by rural activist Veeraphon Sopha said they would defend the sovereignity of the four border provinces of Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Sa Kaew.

They vowed to start up villages along the border to prevent Cambodians from occupying Thai soil.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said if the Cambodian premier enters Thai territory, then there will be people ready to receive him.

The situation remained normal, but Hun Sen has been making comments about Thai politics as former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra makes political moves, he said.

Noppadon Pattama, a former foreign minister and Thaksin's legal aide, criticised the Democrat Party and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for spreading a "lie" about Thaksin obtaining Cambodian citizenship.

Thaksin travels on Montenegro and Nicaraguan passports but is not a citizen of the two countries, he said.

Cambodia's Rasmi Kampuchia reported on Friday that Thailand is entering a state of anarchy with the red shirts - Thaksin sympathisers - ready to overthrow the government. The paper blamed the PAD for distracting public attention with the border dispute.

Recruitment for Thaksin's People's Army ended in Bangkok but more enlistment opportunities will be held upcountry, said Army specialist Maj-General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol.

The formation of the controversial armed offshoot of the red shirt movement was aimed at ensuring protection for demonstrators during the upcoming bid to topple the government, he said.

The reports of General Panlop Pinmanee resigning from the red-shirt movement were unfounded, he said.

"It was a misunderstanding on the part of red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan. But I have discussed the matter with [red-shirt leaders] Veera Musigapong and Natthawut Saikua and the misunderstanding will be cleared."

Jatuporn said he would call both Khattiya and Panlop tomorrow to arrange a meeting to sort out the differences.

He said he alone couldn't approve the idea of a people's army as the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) is an organisation with a committee making decisions.

"We must discuss the matter because we do not want to lose before engaging in a battle," he said.

Panlop should have discussed the matter with DAAD before leaking it to the media, he said.

Abhisit said he has no problem with Panlop leaving the red-shirt movement or the setting up of a people's army as long as it's not illegal.

Credibility gap now too wide for Chavalit to bridge

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Sun, February 7, 2010

Retired general has only himself to blame if events have overtaken his stated intentions

If anything, a political leader having to come out and deny that he will be leading a "People's Army" just shows how absurd Thai politics has become. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, a retired general, didn't have a choice, though, because claims that he was about to lead an armed offshoot of the red-shirted movement were not made by his enemies, but rather those close to Thaksin Shinawatra. Chavalit simply had to douse the fire before it destroyed his whole reputation.

He had been playing with that fire. It remains fresh in everyone's mind that the Thai-Cambodian diplomatic row over Thaksin was sparked by Chavalit's meeting with Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The tension that was created and lasts until today has eroded Thaksin's popularity but Chavalit largely got away with it. It wouldn't have been the case if Chavalit hadn't come out so quickly to deny the shocking claims made by obscure red-shirt agitators Panlop Pinmanee and Maj-General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol.

In a telephone interview on Wednesday, Panlop said that the red shirts, with Thaksin's blessing, had agreed to form the new armed wing and that Chavalit would lead the red shirts to victory. In the same interview, Khattiya said the organisational structure of the opposition movement was now complete with Pheu Thai as the party, the red shirts as its front and the new unit as its armed force. Many are reminded by that structure of the communist insurgency during the Cold War.

Panlop and Khattiya both warned that the government had until the end of this month to negotiate a settlement with Thaksin or risk facing an eruption of violence that even Thaksin could not control. In another interview on Thursday, Khattiya, when asked if Thaksin had a timeframe in mind for a political comeback, replied: "He gave Big Jiew [Chavalit] one year".

So, despite Chavalit's insistence that he agreed to take on the top advisory role at the Pheu Thai Party in order to prevent violence from happening, he ended up having to defend himself against criticism that his political comeback has brought about anything but peace and confidence. And while he can blame Panlop and Khattiya for the "People's Army" controversy, he could not fault anyone but himself for the Cambodian shame.

If "peace" was actually his main mission when he agreed to return to politics, he has failed. In fact, all his other stated objectives have either faded away or met little progress - to help solve the deep South problem, to help improve Thailand's relations with its neighbours, and to prove that Thaksin and his hardcore followers were loyal to the monarchy.

Such a noble agenda, if it ever existed, slipped away from Chavalit a long time ago. He is at best a befuddled veteran losing control left and right and playing into the hands of political rivals, or at worst a man on an obscure mission whose trustworthiness is unravelling.

The Democrats have jumped on the "People's Army" issue as well amid speculation that Thaksin might join Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on a tour of the Preah Vihear Temple yesterday. Both issues were farfetched to differing degrees, but the ruling party managed to capitalise on them thanks to Chavalit's credibility problems and Thais' distrust of Cambodia that Thaksin and Chavalit helped provoke.

In the end, Chavalit knows best why he has to come out to deny ridiculous allegations. He's paying not for his failure to live up to his promises but for being largely responsible for his roles in events that mocked his pledges. And he can't blame the public if it chose to believe the improbable stories more than him.

Cambodian PM Wraps up Visit to Controversial Border Area

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, holds flowers as his prays at the Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, 06 Feb 2010

VOA News

Robert Carmichael

Phnom Penh 06 February 2010

via CAAI News Media

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has concluded a visit to an iconic temple on his country's northern border with Thailand, where soldiers from both nations have clashed repeatedly over the past 18 months.

Relations between Cambodia and Thailand have worsened steadily over the past two years, and Hun Sen's visit Saturday to the northern border temple of Preah Vihear will not have helped.

A government spokesman claimed Friday that Hun Sen was making a cultural visit to the 11th century temple.

But given the tensions between the two countries over the border area near the temple, and Hun Sen's burgeoning friendship with former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, some observers say this was always going to be seen as highly political.

Chhaya Hang is head of the Khmer Institute of Democracy, a non-governmental organization in Phnom Penh that focuses on democracy, human rights and political awareness-raising.

"There could be an element of that, but if you think about it, it's a very hot issue at the moment and a very risky one," he said. "I mean, there are two militaries facing each other on the border and you want to visit on your side and try to make sense of what is going on in terms of culture - I don't think so. I think it's a political statement."

Preah Vihear temple was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962. That ruling has long annoyed Thai nationalists who have used the issue to stoke tensions.

The area around the temple has been a flashpoint for almost two years now, and a number of soldiers have died in firefights in the area in that time.

Cambodia's borders, which are in the process of being demarcated, remain a highly-sensitive topic domestically.

Earlier this month the leader of the opposition was jailed for two years in absentia after he removed six wooden border posts placed by Vietnam - a staunch supporter of Hun Sen's government.

The opposition had claimed the posts were placed on Cambodian soil.

Chhaya Hang says the visit also allows Hun Sen to show his domestic audience that he remains strong on border issues by standing up to Thailand.

It also sends a message to Bangkok. "That Cambodia's not backing out of this political game and not giving up any more land, and they are fed up," he said.

It is not clear whether Hun Sen will head back to Phnom Penh on Saturday or visit other areas along the border later this weekend. What is clear is that his visit will not have helped to mend fences with Bangkok.

But Hun Sen has his eye on a future Thai government, perhaps one in which Thaksin Shinawatra is involved. Mending fences with the current administration in Bangkok is clearly not on his agenda.

LEAD: Hun Sen visits temple near disputed Thai-Cambodia border

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2/6/2010

The Associated Press

(AP) — PHNOM PENH, Feb. 6 (Kyodo)-(EDS: CLARIFYING THAT THAI GOV'T DID NOT OPPOSE HUN SEN'S VISIT TO THE TEMPLE, 3RD GRAF)

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, ignoring Thailand's protests, on Saturday made a brief visit to the Preah Vihear Temple near the disputed Thai-Cambodian border, his first trip to the area since the ancient temple was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2008.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan told Kyodo News by telephone that Hun Sen stayed at the temple for about one hour.

On Friday, Thai leaders said the Cambodian government should hold talks with Thailand prior to Hun Sen's visit to the area and Thailand would send a high-level official to welcome him. His trip to the Preah Vihear crosses a swath of land 4.6 square kilometers in size that the Thai government claims is Thai territory.

Phay Siphan said Hun Sen met a 22-member group from Thailand who visited the temple, including the military general and governor of the bordering Sisaket Province, and told them the temple is in Cambodia's territory and it was he who welcomed the Thais to the temple, not the other way around.

During his meeting with the Thai group, Hun Sen reassured them that the border issue will be settled peacefully, Phay Siphan said.

The premier also said he would consider opening the gate accessible from the Thai side to the Preah Vihear Temple once the border situation returns to that before the first clash between Cambodian and Thai forces in July 2008, a week after the temple was registered as a World Heritage Site.

Phay Siphan said the purpose of the visit is to meet with villagers and Cambodian armed forces based along the Cambodia-Thai border.

Thaksin still in Dubai

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Published: 6/02/2010

Online news: Breakingnews

Fugitive, ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and not in Cambodia as many have claimed, while he still holds Thai nationality, according to Noppadon Pattama, a legal adviser to Mr Thaksin.

Mr Noppadon disputed earlier claims by Veera Somkwamkid, a leading member of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, who said that the ex-premier would travel with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to the ancient Preah Vihear temple along the Thai-Khmer border on Saturday.

The report on Mr Thaksin would go with Mr Hun Sen to Preah Vihear temple is totally untrue and is aimed at destroying Mr Thaksin’s credibility, Mr Noppadon said.

Touching on a report made by a spokesman of the ruling Democrat Party that Mr Thaksin has changed his nationality to Cambodian, Mr Noppadon said the ousted premier had never thought of changing his nationality.

On Friday, Cambodian government spokesman said in Phnom Penh that his government had never granted Cambodian citizenship to Mr Thaksin.

Cambodia late last year appointed Mr Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, as its special economic adviser. The appointment and Mr Thaksin’s subsequent visit to Cambodia angered the Thai government and resulted in a mutual recall of ambassadors.

Mr Noppadon went on to say that the Democrat Party issued such fabricated reports, and would continue to do so until late this month when Bangkok court will rule on whether the frozen assets worth Bt76.6 billion claimed by Mr Thaksin and his family should be seized by the state.

The court is scheduled to issue its verdict on February 26.

PM Abhisit: Cambodia informs Thailand of Hun Sen’s visit to Thai territory

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BANGKOK, Feb 6 (TNA) -- The Cambodian government informed the Thai government of Prime Minister Hun Sen visit before entering Thailand’s territory, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Saturday.

His remarks were made as Mr Hun Sen began his three-day visit to disputed Preah Vihear temple and Ta Muen Thom ruins areas which are being contested by the two neighbouring countries.

At about noon Saturday, the Cambodian government leader arrived at Preah Vihear temple, expecting to boost morale for his troops posted at the 11th century temple.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, but Thailand has argued that the 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) tract of scrub near the temple belongs to it. Demarcation of the area has not been resolved and sporadic clashes have followed between soldiers of the two countries since then.

Mr Abhisit said there would be no problem if his Cambodian counterpart visits nearby Khmer territory, saying that Cambidian officials must inform Thailand first if he wishes to travel into Thai territory.

The Cambodian officials coordinated with the Thai authorities, Mr Abhisit, stating that Mr Hun Sen had already arrived at Preah Vihear temple.

The Thai prime minister ordered Thai security operatives to monitor Mr Hun Sen while visiting the border as he is also scheduled to visit Ta Muen Thom ruins which lies in Thailand’s northeastern province of Surin and Cambodia’s northern Uddor Meanchey province next Monday.

He added that Thailand’s Second Army Area commander and defence minister reported no any problem.

As for the report that the Cambodia had granted nationality to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Mr Abhisit said, the government would not check the report as it was merely news report.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith denied the report, saying that the allegation, which surfaced earlier this week on "Khmer Intelligence News,'' a Cambodian anti-government Web site, was untrue. (TNA)