Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Missiles near the temple of Preah Vihear

Cambodian and Thai troops faced on Tuesday near the Preah Vihear temple, 150 kilometers east of where they have been fighting these past four days, as confirmed by the army in Thailand. The clashes have claimed at least 13 people and caused tens of thousands displaced. This fight would be a sign that the clash between the two countries can be extended for other border areas.

Although in principle the targets are military, sometimes stray bombs and reach target civilian areas or are in the middle of the road without popping. The Executive today approved Thailand's military offensive to keep to oust the Cambodian military in the disputed area, pressing for diplomatic means for Cambodia to accept the bilateral dialogue and to review bilateral cooperation.

Six Cambodians and seven Thai soldiers have been killed since Friday in clashes that have also led to the evacuation of 30,000 Thais and 26,000 Cambodians, according to official figures difficult to compare because the authorities of both countries keep triumphalist tone or victimization, as interest them in their official announcements.

Despite the increasing tension, the Cambodian government has announced a meeting with the Thai authorities in Bangkok initiative. The Cambodian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Thai Defense Minister, Gen. Pravit Wongsuwan, had agreed to travel to Phnom Penh to discuss the truce.

The statement did not indicate when they held talks with Thailand. The Thai authorities have made no statement about it to confirm or deny the report in Cambodia. However, Thai government spokesman Jaisamutr Supachai reported that the head of Foreign Affairs, Kasit Piromya Yakarata will meet tomorrow with his Indonesian counterpart, Marty Natalegawa, to discuss the dispute.

Idonesia, as acting president of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), took office in February to reconcile the mission to Cambodia and Thailand. For his part, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Afrim that "America is deeply concerned by the fighting between security forces on the border between Thailand and Cambodia.

We strongly urge both sides to exercise restraint, refrain from provocative acts and immediately take all necessary measures to reduce tension. " Thai army spokesman, Sansern Kaemkamnerd, said both sides had even launched short-range missiles near the tempo of the eleventh century, which stands on a hill in the jungle, the two neighbors are fighting.

The Preah Vihear temple was built by the Khmer Empire in the same style as the also famous Angkor temple complex. Preah Vihear is a Hindu temple whose fate had to be decided in the International Court in The Hague, which ruled that it was based on Cambodian soil, which drew the ire of the Thai Government.

UNESCO declared it turn a World Heritage Site.

1 comment: