Thai-Cambodia border dispute intensifies; Thai PM visits Vietnam; Indonesian Army gets forty APCs as part of its military modernization programme; Malaysia to propose ASEAN Defence Industry Council at the upcoming ASEAN Defence Ministers’ meeting
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  • In a sign of increasing tension near the Thai-Cambodian border on account of the controversy surrounding the Preah Vihear temple, Cambodia has reportedly deployed a large of troops and equipment, including tanks in the region. Thai forces on their part have built around twenty large bunkers to deal with possible Cambodian troop incursions1. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva meanwhile visited Vietnam on July 10 and discussed issues relating to economic cooperation, tourism and transportation development with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung2.

    The Indonesian Army received over forty armored personal carriers (APCs) by the state weapons manufacturer PT Pindad. As part of weaponry modernization programme, twenty APCs were provided to the army in 2008. A third batch of twenty five APC’s is expected to be handed over by the end of 20103.

    Reports noted that Malaysia will propose the setting up of an ASEAN Defence Industry Council at the ASEAN Defence ministers’ meeting in November this year. This will ensure that an avenue is provided to enhance defence cooperation and help expand the market for defence products among ASEAN member states4.

    In other developments, reports noted that peace negotiation between the Philippines government and the communist insurgents will resume soon. The negotiations were suspended by President Arroyo in 2005 when the communists demanded that the US remove the rebel’s designation as terrorists5.

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