Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have again flared after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen accused Thai troops of entering his country. The confrontation follows talks between the foreign ministers of both countries over the land surrounding an ancient temple. The Thai government says it will defend its territory if Cambodia uses force.
在柬埔寨总理洪森指责泰国部队进入柬埔寨境内之后，泰国和柬埔寨边界的紧张局势再次白热化。发生当前的对峙局面前两国外长曾就一个古老寺庙周围的土地问题举行会谈。泰国政府说，如果柬埔寨动用武力，他们将捍卫本国领土。
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thai troops had entered his country and on Tuesday issued an ultimatum for them to leave or risk conflict.
柬埔寨总理洪森说，泰国部队已进入柬埔寨境内，并在星期二发出最后通牒要求泰国部队立即离开，否则面临冲突。
The once dormant dispute over 900-year-old Preah Vihear turned tense earlier this year after Thailand granted Cambodia the right to have the temple recognized as a United Nations World Heritage site. The temple sits on Cambodia's side of the border, but the main access route to it is in Thailand.
围绕历时九百年的柏威夏古塔寺的争端一度处于静止状态，但是今年年初局势开始紧张，泰国之前曾授权柬埔寨让联合国认可该寺庙为世界文化遗迹。这座寺庙座落在柬埔寨边境内，但是通往寺庙的主要通道却在泰国一边。
A public outcry in Thailand caused both governments to send troops to the area.
由于泰国民情激愤，两国政府都派兵驻守该地区。
On Monday, the two countries' foreign ministers met to resolve the dispute over the border area, but the talks were inconclusive.
星期一，这两国的外长会面试图解决边境地区的争论，但是会谈没有取得结果。
The Thai Foreign Ministry warned that if Cambodia resorted to force, Thailand would exercise its right to self defense. But the ministry also called for issue to be settled peacefully.
泰国外交部警告说，如果柬埔寨动用武力，泰国则会运用自卫权利。但是泰国外交部也呼吁和平解决问题。
The Thai military and Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat met Tuesday to discuss the matter. Mr. Somchai proposed a joint committee to oversee any troop withdrawal.
泰国军方和颂猜总理星期二会面讨论有关事宜。颂猜提议设立联合委员会监督部队撤离。
Shortly before Cambodia's noon deadline for the Thai troops to move, the Cambodian army chief said all were back in Thai territory.
柬埔寨军方领袖说，泰国部队在柬埔寨设定的最后撤离期限，也就是星期二中午前不久已全部返回泰国境内。
Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, says the two governments need to resume talks to avoid violence.
设在曼谷的朱拉隆功大学的政治学家潘尼坦说，两国政府必需继续会谈以避免冲突。
"The Thai military, it's quite clear they're not going to move back from the claimed territory. If the Cambodians want them to move out from these areas they may have to use force," said Panitan.
潘尼坦说：“泰国军方显然不愿从他们所要求的领土上撤退。如果柬埔寨方面要他们撤离这些地区，他们可能必需使用武力。”
The countries have long disputed the ownership of the temple and the border. In 1962, the International Court of Justice granted sovereignty to Cambodia, but adjacent land remained under Thai control.
这两个国家长久以来一直在为这一寺庙以及它的边界问题争论不休。1962年，国际仲裁法院给予柬埔寨该寺庙的领土主权，但是与这寺庙相毗邻的土地却仍在泰国的控制下。
The dispute puts further pressure on the Thai prime minister. For weeks, opposition groups have occupied the main government office building, demanding the ouster of Mr. Somchai and new elections.
这场争论给颂猜总理更大的压力。几星期来，反对派团体一直占据泰国政府的主要办公大楼要求颂猜总理下台，并再次举行选举。 |