Young Men Flocking to Join Local Militias
Increased tensions over the disputed border near Preah Vihear temple have led to a rise in recruitment of volunteer fighters in Oddar M
Hundreds of young men have volunteered to join local communemilitias in Oddar Meanchey province since the beginning of a border conflictwith Thailandin July, officials said Thursday. Between 500 to 1,000 young men have joined militias inall five of the province's districts, to bolster the nation's defenses in caseof attack from Thailand as an ongoing border standoff continues, said Oddar Meanchey Governor PichSokhen. Tensions between the two nations increased last week,following armed clashes at three sites near Preah Vihear temple. The numbers of recruits had risen surprisingly high inrecent weeks, Pich Sokhen said, but was due to months of tension between Cambodiansand Thais on the border and some attacks of Cambodians. "The recruitment of the militia right now we keep only forsecurity in communes," he said. "But if the border becomes more tense, and theyneed the forces, we will send them directly to join the army." Militia members can be recruited under a Ministry of Defenselaw and sent forward if trouble arises, Pich Sokhen said. None of themilitiamen are currently armed with guns, he said, but many of them haveknives, axes and clubs. Officials in the border provinces of Preah Vihear, BanteayMeanchey, Pailin and Koh Kong reported no increase in militia recruitmentThursday. The militia policy of the armed forces sets a maximum of 15young militiamen, aged 18 to 30, per village, according Ung Narin, aforestry administration official in the Oddar Meanchey's Banteay Ampil district, whoattended a commune meeting Wednesday where local leaders discussed recruitment. Meanwhile, military commanders from Thailand and Cambodia met in Siem Reap Thursdayin an effort to diffuse a new round of tensions in a border conflict. Thursday's meetings took place between low-levelsecretariats, who discussed an agenda for a broader meeting between commanderson Friday, when the prime ministers of both countries are also expected to meetin Beijing.