ID :
177304
Fri, 04/22/2011 - 15:12
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http://m.oananews.org//node/177304
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Thailand calls Cambodian ambassador to receive protest letter
BANGKOK, April 22 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has protested against Cambodia in relation to the clash at the border adjacent to Surin province. The ministry also issued a statement to inform the world community of the issue and insisted that it did not need to be raised in any international forum.
Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya stated that he called the Cambodian ambassador to deliver a protest letter which complained about Cambodian soldiers invading into Thai territory and firing at Thai soldiers. Thai soldiers reportedly spotted the invasion and first issued a warning, but Cambodian soldiers instead opened fire, prompting the gun battle. Piromya said Thai soldiers reacted only to protect the national sovereignty and their people.
The clash took place between demarcation post numbers 1 and 23 as indicated by the 2000 memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Cambodia, some 140 kilometers from the Preah Vihear temple. Once the clash stops, officials will continue to survey the area and proceed with demarcation.
Apart from calling the Cambodian ambassador to acknowledge the protest, the Foreign Ministry also told the world community that Cambodia is failing to honor their bilateral agreement while Thailand is ready to use existing mechanisms to solve bilateral problems. The ministry has also called for the quick meeting of the Regional Border Committee and the Joint Boundary Commission of both countries so that they can solve their border problems.
Kasit insisted that both sides could talk through the existing mechanism and did not need ASEAN or any other countries to mediate their conflicts. He said that Cambodian authorities just phoned their Thai counterparts to call for an end of the clash and that the Indonesian foreign minister also phoned to inquire about the situation.
Col Pravit Hookaew, spokesman of the 2nd Army Area, said the clash stopped but Thai soldiers continued to guard the border as a preventive measure. The 2nd Army Area commander reached the clash site and phoned senior military officers in Cambodia in an attempt to end the clash which killed three Thai soldiers, injured 13 Thai soldiers and damaged a house. Artillery shells spread along the border. The army is also catering for evacuated villagers.
An artillery shell also landed in the Ban Kruad district of Buri Ram province, adjacent to Surin, casting fears to the local people, and prompted their evacuation to a nearby school, some 10 kilometers from the border. (TNA)
Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya stated that he called the Cambodian ambassador to deliver a protest letter which complained about Cambodian soldiers invading into Thai territory and firing at Thai soldiers. Thai soldiers reportedly spotted the invasion and first issued a warning, but Cambodian soldiers instead opened fire, prompting the gun battle. Piromya said Thai soldiers reacted only to protect the national sovereignty and their people.
The clash took place between demarcation post numbers 1 and 23 as indicated by the 2000 memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Cambodia, some 140 kilometers from the Preah Vihear temple. Once the clash stops, officials will continue to survey the area and proceed with demarcation.
Apart from calling the Cambodian ambassador to acknowledge the protest, the Foreign Ministry also told the world community that Cambodia is failing to honor their bilateral agreement while Thailand is ready to use existing mechanisms to solve bilateral problems. The ministry has also called for the quick meeting of the Regional Border Committee and the Joint Boundary Commission of both countries so that they can solve their border problems.
Kasit insisted that both sides could talk through the existing mechanism and did not need ASEAN or any other countries to mediate their conflicts. He said that Cambodian authorities just phoned their Thai counterparts to call for an end of the clash and that the Indonesian foreign minister also phoned to inquire about the situation.
Col Pravit Hookaew, spokesman of the 2nd Army Area, said the clash stopped but Thai soldiers continued to guard the border as a preventive measure. The 2nd Army Area commander reached the clash site and phoned senior military officers in Cambodia in an attempt to end the clash which killed three Thai soldiers, injured 13 Thai soldiers and damaged a house. Artillery shells spread along the border. The army is also catering for evacuated villagers.
An artillery shell also landed in the Ban Kruad district of Buri Ram province, adjacent to Surin, casting fears to the local people, and prompted their evacuation to a nearby school, some 10 kilometers from the border. (TNA)
