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The fiery exchanges between the Cambodian and Thai leaders have indicated that the Preah Vihear and border issues are no closer to any resolution any time sooner.

The latest politician to enter the fray is Cambodia's Information Minister Khieu Kanharith (pictured) who accused Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of using Preah Vihear as his political tool to achieve his political goals.

The recent spates of exchanges re-occurred when the Thai yellow shirted ultra-nationalists attempted to march to reclaim Preah Vihear on 19th September. The march had angered Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen to issue an order of a "shoot-to-kill" policy if those Thai ultra-nationalists dare to enter Khmer territories. Mr. Hun Sen also lambasted Thailand for using its unilaterally-drawn maps. "Khmer territory is Khmer territory. We will use maps that are internationally-recognised. We do not recognise maps that were unilaterally-drawn by the Thai side. If these maps are used for the negotiation, I will tear them up and throw them away", Mr. Hun Sen said.

Mr. Hun Sen also personally blamed Mr. Abhisit for inciting Thai ultra-nationalists to invade Khmer territories on 15th July 2oo8. "Why such thing happened? It was because (their) prime minister said something like that because this is his original view since he was in the opposition party", he said.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva hit back by saying that Mr. Hun Sen's outburst was just for media consumption."Whenever he gives interviews to the foreign media he always has this attitude where he wants to make headlines," Abhisit told reporters.

Mr. Abhisit's comments had attracted a swift response from the Cambodian government spokesman, Mr. Khieu Kanharith.

Mr. Kanharith said Mr. Abhisit's attack on Mr. Hun Sen was just for domestic political consumption. He had also accused Mr. Abhisit of using Preah Vihear as his political tool to get elected.

Source: Khmer Sthapana newspaper
Reported in English by Khmerization