Cambodia, Thailand clash over border row

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-15-2008 10:13

The Cambodian army says Thai troops have retreated from a disputed border zone near a 900-year-old temple.

Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat (2nd L) walks out from a room after meeting with Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong at the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh October 13, 2008.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodia's prime minister issued an ultimatum to Thai troops: to withdraw by midday on Tuesday, or face military action. Bangkok, however, has refuted Cambodia's claim.

The Cambodian army said all Thai troops had retreated and were back inside their camp about half a mile from the contested territory.

Earlier on Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had warned Thailand to pull back 84 troops from the area by noon.

Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister, said, "I have ordered Cambodia's army chief to take full responsibility over this area. It's a life-and-death battle zone. You can step on my foot a little and pull back, but you can't step on my head."

But Bangkok denied the claim and the Thai's military said it was ready for war.

Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat told reporters in Bangkok his government would not heed the ultimatum.

Sompong Amornvivat, Thai Foreign Minister, said, "How can we do that? We are in our homeland. If they ask you to leave your home, will you do it? Do you want me to betray my country? I won't do that."

Tensions have been high since July when around 1,000 soldiers on both sides faced off only yards apart from each other on a hillside.

At the heart of the dispute is 1.8 square miles of scrub near the Preah Vihear temple, known as Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand. The International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962.

Tensions flared in July after UNESCO, the UN agency for science and culture, approved Cambodia's bid to have the temple named a World Heritage Site.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei