Sunday, 7 February 2010

Cambodia to Spend US$100 Million for Military Development near Thai Border

via CAAI News Media

Saturday, 06 February 2010 19:02 DAP-NEWS/ Ek Madra

PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia, Feb. 6, 2010- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Saturday that his government to invest $100 million for the development of military and social sector in Preah Vihear province alone, the move aimed at strengthening its defense system and the living standard of the locals.

"This amount of money ($100 million) is not going to spend in the field of defense operation, but also to invest in the social development in this area," Hun Sen said without details.

Hun Sen assured that assured that his ruling party officials are always there to support military operations to protect the nation from being invaded by any foreign invaders including Thailand.

Roads, bridges and military bases as well as military's houses have been built and upgraded across the province, where the Temple of Preah Vihear located.

"These facilities enable our soldiers to strengthen their capacities so as to prevent any invasion of the tricky neighbor," Hun Sen said referring to Thailand.

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who is also Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, said he was pleased with the progress has been made by the Royal Cambodia Armed Force (RCAF) over the constructions of military facilities on the 820 hectares of land.

"But we cannot achieve the every thing overnight," said Dr. Sok An.

"At the same time we must take tough preventive measure on any foreign aggression of taking Cambodian land. We never let any foreign country takes Cambodian land even a single inch," he said.

The government will invest more in the defense field as long as the ruling party of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) continues to stay in power, said the officials.

Hun Sen recalled then the King Norodom Sihanouk who won the case against Thailand over Cambodia's claimed the Temple of Preah Vihear in which the U.N. court of International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962 ruled out that: the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

"I assured our retired King Norodom Sihanouk that we are doing our best to protect the territory from being aggressive by any foreign countries," he told to more than 4,000 soldiers who attended the ceremony, which displayed more than 20 tanks, heavy weapons including missiles.

"We do not want bloodshed with Thailand, but we will only if it's necessary," he was speaking at the inauguration of a US$3.5 million newly built military headquarter, which was funded by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An, also minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Minister.

"We are avoiding any militarily confrontation as fighting each other is so bad. But this issue is completely depends on the Bangkok government," Hun Sen told the crowd.

He also slammed the Thais Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who was quoted in Thais media this week saying that Cambodia's leaders should negotiate first with Thailand before Hun Sen himself is going to visit the Temple of Preah Vihear.

"Where is the 4.6 square km of disputed area," Hun Sen asked.

"We, Cambodia, have never accepted any Thais unilateral map." he said loud.

"Cambodia troops must not pull out from the area. I do not need any negotiation with you (Thailand). That is our land and we do not need you to come and welcome us on our land," Hun Sen said before he headed off to visit the Temple.

"I can go any time I want to and I can go anywhere if I want to. It is up to me, not you (Thailand's leader)," he responded to Thais leader comments.

The relations of the two Asian nations have turned sour since Thailand was not pleased with the UNESCO listed the Temple in July, 2008.

The Cambodian Prime Minister warned that Phnom Penh will never reopen its entrance gate, which could be accessed from the Thais side unless the border situation to return to the situation before 15 July, 2008, when both troops clashed and the relations of the two Asian nations turned rocky since.

At least six soldiers were killed from both sides since the two Asian neighbors' military armed clashed, which have been locked in a standoff since 2008, near at the Temple of Preah Vihear.

Hun Sen has regarded the armed clashes as incidence, not war.

The Cambodian 900-year-old Temple of Preah Vihear was listed by the UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 2008.

No comments: