Minister to Meet UN Council Over Standoff
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will meet with UN officials in New York next week to help solve the continuing military crisis at Preah Vi
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will travel to New York on Friday in hopes of meeting with the UNSecurity Council to resolve a continued military standoff with Thailand. "We will report to the UN Security Council about thePreah Vihear crisis," he told VOA Khmer Wednesday. A meeting with the 15 members of the Security Council couldtake place as early as Monday or Tuesday, Hor Namhong said. Cambodiahas pushed for Asean and Unesco intervention in the alleged incursion of Thaitroops in the disputed border area of Banthey Meanchey province. As many as 4,000 troops from both sides have amassed on theborder since July 15, and officials have warned that the longer they remain,the more chance for violence. "We hope that after the meeting, the UN will be able tofind a good solution between both sides, Cambodiaand Thailand,"Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said. "Cambodiahas already won by diplomacy, the rule of law and politics," Hor Namhongsaid. "The Thai act along the border at Preah Vihear was acowardly act," he said. "If we did not have patience with the Thaiact, it would have opened a war on the border." Thais were teaching villagers military tactics and armingpeople along the border Wednesday, Hor Namhong said. Thailandcontinued to move troops, tanks and artillery to the border, Hor Namhong said. They had deployed troops 3 kilometers from Preah Vihear and200 meters from the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, he said. Thai Embassy officials declined to comment on any borderactivities Wednesday. Defense Minister Tea Banh could not confirm the number oftroops on both sides, but said Cambodiahad enough soldiers to defend itself in case Thai soldiers "openfire." Soldiers on both sides remained calm Wednesday, with noreports of arguments or gun-pointing, he said.