Thais Leave Areas Near Temple: Officials
Thai troops remained in most positions along the border Tuesday, following what Cambodia called a withdrawal from two specific areas ne
Cambodian officials said Tuesday more than 80 Thai troops lefttwo areas near Preah Vihear temple, a day after Prime Minister Hun Sen issuedan ultimatum for their withdrawal. "After negotiations with two-star general Srey Douk,commander of Division 12, and the commander of Thai forces this morning nearPreah Vihear temple, the Thai forces that entered Viel Entry on Monday rightnow have withdrawn from that area," according to Ministry of Foreign Affairsstatement. Viel Entry is a small field near Preah Vihear temple, which has been at the center of a contentious military standoff since July 15. However, Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat toldreporters in Bangkok the troops were still in place near the area,Agence-France Presse reported. "All 80 troops will remain in the disputed area because Thailandhas overseen that area for 20 to 30 years," AFP quoted Sompong as saying. "Ofthose 80 troops, 20 of them are mine clearance workers and the rest offerprotection for the mine clearance troops." Thai troops remained in their positions along other pointsof the border in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces, Cambodian officialssaid. Worried arket vendors in Bantheay Meanchey province who cross theborder daily in Poipot to sell on the Thai side stayed in CambodiaTuesday. "They are afraid of a border conflict between the two countries, afterthey heard on the radio and TV the speech of Prime Minister HunSen, warning of large-scale conflict in the border dispute," Bantheay MeancheyGovernor Oung Oun said. Renewed tensions over the border come following failed talksbetween the countries' foreign ministers in Phnom Penh on Monday and a statementto reporters by Hun Sen that warned Thai troops to withdraw from two areas,Viel Entry and Pram Makara, on Phnom Troap, near the temple. Phnom Troap was the site of a small skirmish that wounded one Thai and one Cambodian soldier earlier this month, and where two Thai soldiers were injured by landmines. The Thai Foreign Ministry said on its Web site Tuesday theirsoldiers would defend themselves "if Cambodia does resort to the use offorce." "Thailandis surprised by the remarks by the Prime Minister of Cambodia issuing anultimatum to Thailand tomove its military personnel out of the area adjacent to the Temple of Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear) andthreatening the use of force," the Thai Foreign Ministry said.