Chairman of Cambodian parliament told chairman of Thai parliament to withdraw troops from Cambodian territories

Mr. Heng Samrin, the chairman of the Cambodian National Assembly, has told the visiting chairman of the Thai parliament to tell the Thai government to withdraw Thai troops from the Cambodian territories.

Mr. Chai Chidchob (pictured), the chairman of the Thai parliament, is on a two-day visit to Cambodia from 23rd to 24th July where he had met King Sihamoni, National Assembly Chairman Heng Samrin, Senate President Chea Sim and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Mr. Korm Kosal, advisor Mr. Heng Samrin, told reporters that during the meeting between Mr. Heng Samrin and Mr. Chai Chidchob on the afternoon of Thursday 23rd, Mr. Heng Samrin told Mr. Chai to withdraw Thai troops from Cambodian territories. In response, Mr. Chai promised told convey the message to the Thai government.

Mr. Chai Chidchob (L) greeted Mr. Heng Samrin on his arrival for the meeting at Parliament House.

But during a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen on the same afternoon, the subject of Thai troop withdrawals have not been brought up. Mr. Ieng Sophalleth, spokesman for Prime Minister Hun Sen, told reporters that the pair only discussed about easing the military tensions along the borders. Mr. Sophalleth quoted Mr. Chi Chidchob as saying: "The Thai government will make efforts to ease the military tensions along the Khmer-Thai borders and he also proposed for strengthening of good cooperations between the two countries."

Mr. Sophalleth also quoted Mr. Hun Sen as responding that Cambodia will also make great efforts to avoid armed clashes along the borders.

At the same time as leaders from the two countries are discussing about easing border tensions, news from Preah Vihear indicated that the Thai military had sent more weaponry and troop reinforcements to Hill 500 while the Cambodian military responded by sending more troops to the area as well. The situations have been tense in the area.

Mr. Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, told reporters that what Cambodia wants to see is the Thai parliament ratifying all agreements about border delimitation and demarcations signed by the Thai parliament. He said in the spirit of the agreements Thailand should have withdrawn its troops a long time ago.

Mr. Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association who had staged severals protests against Thai violations of Cambodian territories, said he is unable to organise a protest this time because he is on mission to the provinces.