Saturday, 21 February 2009

Hun Sen Wants Thai Rocket Investigation

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
20 February 2009

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday called on a Thai military delegation to open an investigation into the firing of Thai rockets over the Cambodian border earlier this week.

Hun Sen met with a delegation led by Gen. Jeradej Kotcharat, deputy commander of the Thai army, which carried a message of apology for the firing of six to eight rockets into Cambodia on Tuesday.

The Thai side has said the rockets, which fell near Ta Krabey temple, in Odar Meanchey province, were fired on accident, but Hun Sen told reporters after the meeting he would like an extended investigation.

“The first rocket, no problem,” Hun Sen said. “But it’s not only one. It’s the second or third rocket in Cambodian land.”

Hun Sen said it was fortunate the rockets were fired into sparsely populated Cambodia, as a similar incident from Cambodia to Thailand would likely “kill Thai people.” “The Thai side should correct this mistake,” he said.

Jeradej declined to comment following the meeting.

Deputy army commander Lt. Gen. Kun Kim told VOA Khmer that debris from the rockets, which appeared to be 106 mm, had been found scattered in Banteay Ampil district, Odar Meanchey.

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