Cambodia says troops to remain on border

(UPI NewsTrack) — BANGKOK, June 7 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has denied reports that he had agreed to a troop withdrawal from the disputed border with Thailand near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple.

Thai media reported that Thailand Gen. Wichit Yathip and Sen met before hostilities broke out in February. They agreed both countries should withdraw troops from the disputed area and jointly manage the 1.7-square-mile overlapping border area.

Sen acknowledged that he met with Wichit while the Thai general was visiting Cambodia, attending the wedding of the son of a Cambodian defense minister in Phnom Penh. But Sen said no agreement was made, a report by China’s Xinhua news agency said.

“Wichit Yathip just paid a short courtesy call on me and we had not discussed anything concerning the Thai-claimed overlapping area near the temple because Cambodia has never known where the (1.7-square-mile) area is,” Sen said.

“Wichit should clarify his remarks.”

Sen’s remarks come after Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Cambodia should return to the negotiating table to settle their ongoing border dispute in which a dozen soldiers and civilians on both sides have been killed over the past three months.

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