Thai-Cambodian border crossing reopened

Thai-Cambodian border crossing reopened

ARANYAPRATHET, Thailand (AFP): Some 10,000 traders streamed
across the Thai-Cambodian border yesterday as officials reopened
the Klong Luek-Poipet checkpoint for the first time in two
months.

In a brief ceremony which had been scheduled for today,
Cambodian Army Gen. Duang Khaem and Kasaem Chaiyasith, the
governor of Thailand's Sakaew province, declared the Thai-
Cambodian Friendship bridge open and safe.

The checkpoint had been closed since April 9 when heavy
fighting on the Cambodian side between Phnom Penh forces and
Khmer Rouge guerrillas made passage dangerous.

Thai and Cambodian authorities have estimated millions of
dollars were lost in halted trade during the past two months.

Governor Kasaem said yesterday that the military of both
countries would guarantee the safety of civilians in the area,
many of whom had left in April when guerrilla forces were
expected to attack.