CAMBODIA HOLDS ITS POSITION IN PREAH VIHEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PHNOM PENH 000224 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP, P, D, IO NSC FOR E. PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2019 TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV TH CB SUBJECT: CAMBODIA HOLDS ITS POSITION IN PREAH VIHEAR DISPUTED AREA; APRIL 3 AFTERNOON CLASH ENDS IN CEASE-FIRE REF: A. BANGKOK 867 ¶B. PHNOM PENH 221 ¶C. STATE 78884 (GUIDANCE ON BORDER DISPUTE) PHNOM PENH 00000224 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: AMBASSADOR CAROL A. RODLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Late-morning negotiations between Thai and Cambodian military field commanders broke down and resulted in resumed fighting at about 1:55 p.m. on April 3, according to multiple Cambodian sources. Council of Ministers Secretary of State Phay Siphan stated that Thai artillery opened up on Cambodian positions in the Eagle Field area near the Preah Vihear UNESCO World Heritage site after Cambodian troops were not withdrawn, as the local Thai commander had requested in morning talks. Fighting lasted about 90 minutes. Post cannot confirm Cambodian casualties including early reports of two Cambodian troops dead. The Ambassador contacted Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) commander in chief General Pol Saroeun late on April 3 to urge maximum restraint, continued dialogue, and disengagement of troops in the disputed Preah Vihear border area. An uneasy cease-fire remains as Cambodians hold their positions. Plans for bilateral Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) technical talks on April 6-7 in Siem Reap are still going forward according to the lead Cambodian negotiator. END SUMMARY. Morning Clash After Surprise Encounter -------------- ¶2. (C) A Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) source told Pol/Ec Chief that Cambodian troops entered the Eagle Field early on April 3 and were surprised to find armed Thai troops in an area of the disputed territory previously considered to be unoccupied. Gen. Pol Saroeun told Ambassador that the incident began about 6:00 a.m. and that the Cambodians asked the Thai to leave. When the Thai troops refused, the Cambodians tried to "force them out," at which point the Thai shot at Cambodian soldiers. Gen. Pol Saroeun said that two Thai soldiers were killed in this morning clash. ¶3. (C) Council of Ministers Secretary of State Phay Siphan said that the two local commanders held talks later in the morning of April 3, but that at about 11:30 the Thai insisted that Cambodians holding the Eagle Field position be withdrawn. The Cambodian commander left the talks and the troops remained in their positions. Afternoon Clash of Heavier Arms -------------- ¶4. (C) At 1:55 p.m., Thai positions on the Phnom Trop (Eggplant Mountain) position overlooking the Eagle Field opened up with an 106 mm artillery barrage, followed by 60 mm mortar rounds, said Phay Siphan. In another disputed location east of the Preah Vihear temple Thai troops used M79 grenades, he said. The two sides stopped fighting some time after 3:00 p.m., he said, noting that he received reports from sources on the ground. Phay Siphan could not confirm Cambodian casualties, which open sources have put at between two and four dead. ¶5. (C) MFA Asia One Deputy Director Hos Sereythonh noted that the Thai commenced the afternoon exchange of arms. Late in the day, the MFA was still contemplating next steps, including calling in the Thai ambassador. As of the morning, Prime Minister Hun Sen was still committed to traveling to the ASEAN 3 summit on April 10-12, an MFA source reported; however, he cautioned that the afternoon events could change the situation. Ambassador to Pol Saroeun: Show Maximum Restraint -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) The Ambassador called RCAF CINC Gen Pol Saroeun late in the day to emphasize the need for restraint on the Cambodian side, noting that the USG was engaging the Thai side with a similar message (Refs A, C). Gen. Pol Saroeun took on board the message, stating that the fighting had ceased for now and that discussions between local commanders PHNOM PENH 00000224 002.2 OF 002 were ongoing. Gen. Pol Saroeun added, "We don't want to be fighting but maybe the Thai will force us into it (fighting)." The Ambassador reiterated her message of restraint, adding that the talking should continue and that there should be a separation of forces. COMMENT: -------------- ¶7. (C) The Eagle Field area has been relatively calm since the last clash of arms on October 15. Since Thai troops on March 30 entered into an area hitherto left unoccupied, tensions have been escalating. Both sides lay claim to the areas in which the troops are currently facing off and the diplomatic plan of action to address the issue is well developed, and could take another step forward in the planned talks in Siem Reap. The greatest barrier to development of that diplomatic plan is the inability to remove troops entirely from the area in dispute. RODLEY