PHNOM PPHNOM PENH, - The Cambodian government has issued an arrest warrant against  opposition leader Sam Rainsy for failing to appear in court over a border dispute.

Mr Rainsy is alleged to have encouraged villagers to uproot markers on the frontier with Vietnam in October 2009.

Mr Rainsy has claimed that Vietnam is encroaching on Cambodian territory, a highly sensitive issue.

The Cambodia's parliament stripped opposition leader Sam Rainsy of his immunity from prosecution in November.

Mr Rainsy's lawyer said the opposition leader had been charged with inciting racial  discrimination and intentionally damaging property when he allegedly uprooted the border markings saying they were illegally placed by Vietnam.

A Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann called the move was "a plan organised by the ruling party to intimidate and to threaten members of opposition party".

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said the court was acting independently of politics and  that anyone summoned to court should appear.

Vietnam is a growing investor in Cambodia.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding at a forum in Ho Chi Minh City on 26 December to support billions of dollars of Vietnamese investments.

Cambodia and Vietnam officially began demarcating their contentious border in September 2006, in a bid to end decades of territorial disputes.

ENH, - The Cambodian government has issued an arrest warrant against  opposition leader Sam Rainsy for failing to appear in court over a border dispute.

Mr Rainsy is alleged to have encouraged villagers to uproot markers on the frontier with  Vietnam in October 2009.

Mr Rainsy has claimed that Vietnam is encroaching on Cambodian territory, a highly sensitive issue.

The Cambodia's parliament stripped opposition leader Sam Rainsy of his immunity from prosecution in November.

Mr Rainsy's lawyer said the opposition leader had been charged with inciting racial  discrimination and intentionally damaging property when he allegedly uprooted the border  markings saying they were illegally placed by Vietnam.

A Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann called the move was "a plan organised by the ruling party to intimidate and to threaten members of opposition party".

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said the court was acting independently of politics and that anyone summoned to court should appear.

Vietnam is a growing investor in Cambodia.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding at a forum in Ho Chi Minh City on 26 December to support billions of dollars of Vietnamese investments.

Cambodia and Vietnam officially began demarcating their contentious border in September  2006, in a bid to end decades of territorial disputes.