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)

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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troops were not withdrawn, as the local Thai commander had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withdrawn.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