Nirmal Ghosh
Straits Times Indonesia
Bangkok. Thailand’s defense minister on Wednesday abruptly canceled a visit to Phnom Penh to discuss a ceasefire with his Cambodian counterpart, on grounds that Cambodian media had interpreted his visit as a sign of capitulation by Bangkok.
But Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in his first remarks after the latest round of clashes — which continued with sporadic artillery exchanges yesterday – said “Cambodia doesn’t want the conflict to spread further.”
“Cambodia is small, poor and [with] small armed forces, but don’t forget that ants can hurt an elephant,’ he said, adding he would raise the issue at the Asean summit in Jakarta next weekend.
In Bangkok, Thai Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters: ‘I will definitely talk with Cambodia, but I don’t want the public to think the decision to talk is a defeat for Thailand.’
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