Cambodia wrote to the United Nations on Sunday in an escalating war of words over a border spat with Thailand, saying it was ready to defend its territory. Prime Minister Hun Sen accused neighbouring Thailand of threatening to use its armed forces to settle the dispute.
Hun Sen said statements by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva when he addressed royalist "Yellow Shirt" protesters in Bangkok on Saturday was "a clear threat to use military force" to settle the border problem.
The letter to the United Nations General Assembly and United Nations Security Council, which was also sent to the media, said the speech was "seriously threatening to use military forces against Cambodia" and therefore in violation of UN rules.
The Cambodian premier reaffirmed his country's "constant policy" not to use military means to settle disputes with its neighbours. "Cambodia, nonetheless, reserves its legitimate rights to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in case of deliberate acts of aggression," the letter added.
Cambodia and Thailand have been locked in a troop stand-off at their disputed border since July 2008, when the ancient Preah Vihear temple was granted UNESCO World Heritage status.
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