Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday threatened legal action against those who have accused him of using incorrect maps to plant posts along the Kingdom’s border with Vietnam, and called on parties claiming to have the true maps to present them.

Speaking at the inauguration of a bridge in Kandal province’s Takhmao town, Hun Sen addressed US President Barack Obama and asked him once again to lend out the Bonne 1/100,000-scale map, a map agreed upon by both countries in 1985 and reaffirmed in 2005.

“I’m not asking for the maps that the US drew to enter Khmer land to bomb at the time – I ask for my maps only,” Hun Sen said sardonically.

“I just want to borrow … and [I] would like the [US] to assign experts to come, too.”

Additionally, Hun Sen appealed to all those who claim to have a true map to show them to him or King Norodom Sihamoni or face legal retaliation.

“If those who dare do not issue maps which are the true maps – those people are cheaters, and I will [seek] legal action,” he said.

The premier went so far as to suggest a $5 million trip to the United Nations with relevant parties from Cambodia to verify the maps and quell any doubts.

In response, Cambodia National Rescue Party lawmaker Um Sam An, who has been leading the opposition’s charge against what it says is the government’s mishandling of border issues, welcomed Hun Sen’s plan and said the opposition would be open to verifying its maps with government maps.

“It is a good choice to go together to the UN.… This makes people confident,” he said, adding that both the CNRP and the ruling CPP have been unable to verify their respective maps and should wait for those held abroad.