Source: The Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4940025.ece
Thailand and Cambodia stepped back from the edge of war today after a bizarre territorial dispute over a remote and ancient Hindu temple threatened to explode into military conflict.
Cambodia reported that Thai soldiers had made a last-minute retreat from disputed territory close to the Preah Vihear temple on the mountainous jungle border between the two countries, just before a noon ultimatum set by the Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen.
Thailand denied that it had moved troops, and insisted that it would defend its claim to the few hundred square metres of disputed land. “The Thai armed forces agreed to maintain troops in the area because that area is claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia,” the Thai army said in a statement. “All three armed forces — army, navy and air force — are ready for confrontation in the area and are confident in our potential to defend Thailand's sovereignty.”
This morning, Mr Hun Sen, drastically escalated the terms of the dispute by threatening a “life-and-death battle” if Thailand did not pull back. “They must withdraw. We will not allow Thai troops to invade this area at any cost. I would like to be clear about this . . . it is a life-and-death battle zone.”