Foreign ministry spokesperson Chum Sounry addresses a recent press conference. - Photo: Information ministry
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia sent a “strong” protest letter to Thailand, regarding their actions on Monday (Aug 25), which Cambodia said violated the current ceasefire by encroaching on Cambodia’s sovereign territory.
While addressing Tuesday (Aug 26) afternoon's press briefing, Chum Sounry, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, noted that even after the ceasefire came into effect, Thai forces continue to carry out various activities on Cambodia soil.
“This is the third time we have sent a letter of protest. The two previous letters were delivered on Aug 14 and 19. Our latest letter states that on Aug 25 at 2.20pm, the Thai military placed razor wire barricades within Chok Chey village, O’Beichoan commune, in O’Chrov district of Banteay Meanchey province. This is another violation committed by the Thai military in Cambodian territory, and is beyond their position on Aug 12 and 13,” he said.
“This action is a violation of Cambodian sovereignty, and reflects an intentional attempt to extent the conflict inside civilian areas. This violation poses a real danger to the fragile ceasefire agreement and is against the intent of the July 28 ceasefire agreement, as well as the spirit of the meeting notes issued by the General Border Committee (GBC) on Aug 7,” he added.
He reiterated that based on the agreed minutes and ceasefire terms, both side halt all provocative activities. He requested that the Thai side unconditionally respect the ceasefire agreement.
He also addressed Thai accusations that Cambodian forces plaid new landmines.
Sounry said the Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva, ambassador In Dara, wrote to the 2025 Ottawa Convention chair, Ichikawa Tomiko.
In the letter, he rejected the Thai accusations as “baseless, politically motivated and lacking any credible investigation”. He suggested that the accusation was made to discredit Cambodia’s efforts on mine action.
He also stressed that Cambodia has “not and will not” produce, possess or use new landmines since becoming a party to the Ottawa Convention in 2000. All the landmines discovered by the Thais were left over from previous conflicts, he added. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
