Cambodia Says Thai Soldiers Cross Border

Second Day Of Alleged Incursions Across Disputed Border; Bangkok Denies Charge

(AP)  Cambodian officials said more Thai troops crossed into their country's territory Wednesday in the second day of alleged incursions amid tensions over disputed border land near a historic temple.

Thai officials have denied any incursion, saying the troops are deploying on Thai territory to protect their country's sovereignty.

"Their troops have increased in number. They have not pulled back yet," said Hang Soth, director-general of the national authority for the Preah Vihear temple. Both sides were due to resume negotiations Wednesday morning, he said, but did not elaborate.

Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Tuesday night that 170 troops and Thai civilians had crossed into Cambodian territory. He could not say how many civilians were among the group.

The number of Thai troops swelled to about 200 on Wednesday, Cambodian border guard unit commander Seng Vuthy said by telephone from Preah Vihear.

"Both the Cambodian and Thai forces have their hands on their guns at all times," Seng Vuthy said.

The latest confrontation came after UNESCO declared Preah Vihear, which is at the center of a long-standing border quarrel between the neighbors - a World Heritage site last week.

Both countries claim land around the temple, and Thai anti-government activists have revived nationalist sentiment over the issue. The activists and some government officials fear the temple's new status will jeopardize their country's claims to land adjacent to the site.

The incident has claimed at least one casualty. A land mine explosion sheared the right leg off a Thai soldier patrolling in the area, said Thai army Col. Sirichan Ngathong.

Stretches of the Thai-Cambodian border are still strewn with land mines sown by various sides during the 1970-75 Cambodian civil war and the guerrilla conflict that followed the fall of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in 1979.

Maj. Gen. Kanok Netakawesana, a Thai army field commander in the region, said in a telephone interview Tuesday that his troops were on Thai soil close to the disputed area. He declined to give the number of soldiers deployed.

"We are not violating the territory of Cambodia. We have every right to deploy troops here to protect our sovereignty," Kanok said.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat denied any incursion, saying the relationship between the two countries remained normal.

The ministry said in a statement late Tuesday that the troops were ensuring that any protests by Thai activists were being done "in an orderly manner."

The Thai troop movements followed the arrest by Cambodia of three Thai citizens for crossing the border earlier Tuesday. The three were returned to Thailand later Tuesday.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex in northwestern Cambodia.

[bustamcnutty]

They are fighting for food, we are fighting (albeit sold on farce WMDs) for oil. What is wrong with this picture.........all i read is they are fighting over land..what is wrong with this picture?so you would rather be fighting over food,just wait it''s comming.oh it''s here,just look towards africa.have a wonderfull day and try not to waste any food.

[nocatnowaco]

For those who do not know, Preah Vihear and its surrounding land belong to Cambodia by international court ruling. Thailand not just wants Preah Vihear but also wants Angkor Wat that is why a small replica of Angkor Wat is displayed in Bangkok to show tourists there. Also some provinces in Thailand and in Vietnam are Cambodia''s; people who live in those provinces still preserve Cambodian culture even with an oppression.

[oneworldusa]

They are fighting for food, we are fighting (albeit sold on farce WMDs) for oil. What is wrong with this picture?

[stn_sage]

My comments are as follows:

1. They can fight it out or talk it out!

2. They might want to declare the temple proper as a neutral site, that both countries'' peoples can visit. But, ownership of the land around it, remains the same!

3. This isn''t a problem that the USA should get involved in. Especially, with an incompetent lame duck executive branch with one foot out the door already!

I''m sure if they''d maintain their composure, they can work something out! After all, they''re supposed to be adults, here''s an opportunity to show it to the world!