(Banteay Meanchey): Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, Atsushi Ueno, visited villages along the Cambodia-Thailand border today, observing firsthand the impact of the recent military incursion that forced local families to flee their homes.

This is his second visit to Cambodian-Thai border after the ceasefire agreement between the two nations took effect. His first visit was in Oddar Meanchey province earlier this month, when he visited displaced shelters and community effects by Thai airstrikes and bombardment.

“The situation here is different from the situation where I saw for the first time,” Ambassador Ueno told Khmer Times during the visit. “And here in this village, the villagers had to escape from their own home, because Thailand, military, they put their bared wire and tyres near their houses. So, I feel sympathised with villagers' families.”

The ambassador admitted that witnessing the situation in person left a strong impression. “Well, I heard the news, and I saw the news, but I see the reality by my own eye for the first time today. it's so heartbroken to me,” he said.

Regarding Cambodia’s adherence to the ceasefire, Ambassador Ueno observed that, despite ongoing tensions, the agreement was being respected. “Well, as far as I observed, there is no fighting, and the ceasefire agreement is maintained. But although ceasefire is maintained, there are many people who are actually suffering from this, the border issue. So, Japanese government firmly support the unconditional prompt ceasefire. At the same time, we would like to provide support for the people affected.”

He emphasised Japan’s hope for a peaceful resolution. “Well, we would like to see, you know, peace and quiet life will be resumed as soon as we can. And we hope that this issue will be resolved through the peaceful dialogue between two countries, not by fighting.”
=FRESH NEWS