Cambodia to withdraw part of its troops from border areas with Thailand: PM

PHNOM PENH, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday afternoon announced that Cambodia has planed to withdraw part of its troops from the border areas with Thailand.

Hun Sen made the announcement at a press conference held at the Phnom Penh International Airport where he arrived from the first Mekong-Japan Summit from Nov. 6 to 7, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan.

"What I should start with today is that after examining the border issue between Cambodia and Thailand, the situation is normal, quiet, then we decide to withdraw small unit 911 from Preah Vihear to the camp, and one week from now, complete withdrawal," Hun Sen said, adding that "The dispute is not between the two nationalities of Cambodian and Thai, or the two peoples, nor military and ministry between the two countries, but Abhisit and Hun Sen or Bangkok and Phnom Penh."

Relations between the two neighboring countries were strained in the past week when Cambodia named ousted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra its economic adviser. Thailand recalled its ambassador Thursday, and Cambodia followed suit.

Hun Sen also told reporters that Thaksin Shinawatra will visit Cambodia to give a lecture on Thursday. He said that "Thaksin will make a lecture on economic topics in Phnom Penh on Nov. 12 in the morning to 300 people. I cannot tell you when and from where he will come through, but he will make a lecture here." (PNA/Xinhua)