The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) issued a public clarification stressing that reporting or circulating information about discoveries of anti-personnel mines along the border should be careful, clearly substantiated and highly responsible, to avoid misunderstandings or unnecessary tensions.
The authority said Cambodia continued fully to respect and implement its obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. It reiterated Cambodia’s position that no new mines had been laid and that its policy prohibiting anti-personnel mine use remained transparent and unchanged.
The Cambodia–Thailand border remains seriously threatened by mines and explosive remnants of war left by decades of armed conflict. Such remnants continue to be found on both sides. The authority called for stronger bilateral cooperation to advance clearance and reduce risks to border communities.
The authority said unilateral preservation of evidence, investigation and publication of conclusions without joint technical verification could not be considered professional and good-faith fact-finding. It described mines as a technical and humanitarian issue requiring close cooperation, joint inspections and transparent assessment.
It added that mine-related issues should be addressed through mechanisms agreed by both parties for assessment and technical verification. Cambodia was ready for constructive, transparent cooperation to safeguard people and communities along the border.
The authority stressed that mine action should not be used as a political tool, as its humanitarian purposes were to save lives, reduce risks and promote peace and mutual trust. Cambodia remained committed to dialogue and cooperation toward a safe, stable and clearly demarcated border. By KPS99TV
