Cambodia to respect ceasefire despite alleged Thai mortar fire

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Phnom Penh (DPA)-Cambodia on Friday said that Thailand had broken a ceasefireagreed the day before by militarycommanders and endorsed by politicians in both countries, but that it would respect the deal.

Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan (pictured) said Thai artillery fired a number of mortars early Friday near Ta Kwai [Ta Krabey] temple on the north-westernborder. The temple is one of a half dozen sites that have seen exchanges of fire since April 22.

He said six shells landed on Cambodian territory.

“We are very sorry that Thailand has broken the agreement,” he said. “It is a provocative act, but we restrain ourselves and we don’t return fire. Cambodia is abiding by the (ceasefire)agreement.”

Phay Siphan said Thai and Cambodian military commanders on the ground would meet to assess what had happened.