Protection, Not Incursion: Thai Officers
Commanders say they entered neutral territory near Preah Vihear temple this week to protect against Thai protesters. (18 July 2008)
Thai commanders told a visiting Cambodian delegation on theborder Friday they had not entered Cambodian territory near Preah Vihear templeas an incursion, but they had occupied neutral land in order to"protect" Cambodiafrom Thai protesters. The Cambodian delegation, led by Council of Ministersspokesman Phay Siphan, escorted a group of monks to Keo Sikha Kiri Svarapagoda, known in Cambodiaas the Prasat pagoda, near Preah Vihear temple, to negotiate a Thai militarywithdrawal. About 600 Thai troops remained in the pagoda complex, surroundedby nearly 1,000 Cambodian soldiers, as the military build-up entered its fourthday. Wary villagers in the surrounding areas continued to fleeFriday, and less than 100 people remained near the temples. Thai commanders said they would leave the temple, thoughthey did not say when. Around 40 soldiers had come to the pagoda to protect Cambodiafrom protesters who were angered by the inclusion of Preah Vihear temple onUnesco's World Heritage list, the commanders told the delegation. More Thai troops were seen massing on the Thai side of theborder late Friday. At least 1,600 troops from each side have massed on theborder, in a situation Prime Minister Hun Sen characterized as"worsening" in a letter to his Thai counterpart Thursday. Thai and Cambodiasoldiers pointed their weapons at each other for the first time late Thursday, whenCambodian soldiers were barred from entering the pagoda by Thai troops. Cambodian soldiers said they had gone to the pagoda toprotect the monks and nuns staying there.