Outlook uncertain as Thai army commanders call Hun Sen's bluff
EVEN opponents of the government agree that Prime Minister Hun Sen had a right to take a firm stand against Thai border incursions near Preah Vihear temple. But with troops from both sides now digging in after last week’s fighting, political analysts are divided on how hisĀ tough rhetoric will impact the resolution of the three-month-old military stand-off.
After Wednesday’s border clashes, in which three Cambodian soldiers were killed and nearly a dozen Thais wounded, Hun Sen downplayed the threat of war, saying that the situation along the border was “under control”.
“Cambodia is poor and will not show its muscles,” he told reporters after a cabinet meeting Friday. “There will be no big war because the two countries are still patient.”
His comments came on the heels of his October 13 ultimatum to Thailand that it should withdraw its forces from Cambodian territory at Veal Antri, warning of a “full-scale conflict” if Bangkok did not comply.
Continue reading from source news: Phnom Penh Post
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