On the morning of November 17, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen responded in a public speech to calls for Cambodian troops to retaliate against Thai forces. He said Cambodia would no longer return fire in response to Thai military attacks.
Hun Sen said that firing back would cause more deaths and casualties on both sides and undermine the ceasefire and the Kuala Lumpur peace agreement.
He said the crisis stemmed from Thailand's breach of the peace agreement and that Thailand should take responsibility and explain itself to the leaders of the United States, Malaysia and other countries involved. Cambodia, he said, would not take the blame for another country.
Hun Sen said Cambodia was exercising restraint because the two sides had reached and implemented the ceasefire and Kuala Lumpur peace agreement, witnessed by Malaysia and the United States and known to China and other friendly countries. He warned that an excessive Cambodian response could cause a serious diplomatic dispute.
Compiled by this station
