Sunday, 5 April 2009

GEN ANUPONG: CLASHES AT THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER CAUSED BY ‘MISUNDERSTANDING‘


Pattaya Daily News

April 4, 2009

BANGKOK, April 4 - Thailand’s Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said Saturday that clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at the disputed border on Friday resulted from ‘misunderstanding’.

Soldiers of each country stationed on the disputed border area thought that the other side intruded into their country’s territory, said Gen. Anupong, adding that Thailand would not use force to resolve the problem.

Thailand and Cambodia must resolve their differences through negotiations, Gen. Anupong said, noting that they are being prepared, he said as he was about to board a military aircraft to visit an Ubon Ratchathani hospital where soldiers wounded in the border clashes are being treated.

Two Thai soldiers and two Cambodian soldiers died in the fighting while nine Thai soldiers were wounded. The clashes took place near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

Gen. Anupong said negotiations will take place at the ministerial level as well as with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

However, he said senior army officers of both countries in the disputed area will play a significant role in finding ways to end the dispute. Cambodian troops have fired heavy weapons into the Thai territory since Friday’s clashes.

The number of Thai soldiers stationed in the area remains unchanged, even though plans to evacuate villagers living near the disputed area have been prepared, Gen. Anupong said.

On rumours that Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra might seek self-imposed exile in Cambodia, Gen. Anupong said concerned officials were probing the accuracy of the reports.

Gen. Anupong said he hoped the Thai people would understand the needs of the country and not join next Wednesday’s threatened large-scale rally in Bangkok by Mr. Thaksin’s supporters. (TNA)

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