Military Border Standoff Enters Fifth Day
At least 1,600 Thai and Cambodian troops remained on the border, as military attaches from four countries traveled to Preah Vihear Satu
Military attaches from at least four countries and Cambodia's topmilitary police commander traveled to Preah Vihear temple near the Thai borderSaturday, as a military standoff entered its fifth day. The military attaches, from Vietnam,China, the US and France, joined Lt. Gen. Sao Sokhanear the temple, and soldiers told VOA Khmer the situation was stable. The military attaches had come in the capacity of"tourists," in order to see the reality of the confrontation, SaoSokha told reporters Saturday. The diplomats don't want to see either countryhave a confrontation, which would destroy the mutual interests of bothcountries, he said. At least 1,600 soldiers from both sides now occupy landsurrounding Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, known in Cambodia as the Prasat pagoda. Thai Division 6 commander Col. Huong Songnoeun told VOAKhmer Saturday there would be no fighting. Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej sent a letter to PrimeMinister Hun Sen Friday claiming the construction of the pagoda 200 meters westof Preah Vihear temple was a violation of existing agreements. "The establishment of the Cambodian community,including construction of a temple and houses, and the stationing of theCambodian military personnel in the area constitute a continued violation of Thailand'ssovereignty and territorial integrity," the Thai Foreign Ministry said ina statement, according to Agence France-Presse. Cambodian officials maintain the pagoda and the templebelong to Cambodia. The week's tensions surround the inclusion of Preah Viheartemple on Unesco's World Heritage list, a decision that sparked oppositionprotests in Bangkok and led to the resignationof Thailand'sforeign minister. Cambodia Watchdog Council International issued a request toUnesco Thursday asking the organization to request a Thai withdrawal of troops. Thai and Cambodian soldiers in the pagoda and surroundingland have been mingling together in past days, but they nearly clashed onThursday, when Thai troops pointed weapons at Cambodian soldiers trying toenter the pagoda. A joint border committee is scheduled to meet over thestandoff on Monday.