M&G Asia-Pacific NewsJul 20, 2008
Singapore - The Association of the South-East Asian Nations will discuss the raging border row between two of its members, Cambodia and Thailand, one of the ministers said Sunday.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said that it is in the interest of the 10-member regional grouping to actively help solve problems between its members.
'ASEAN has reasons because it is a matter among its members, that's why we would have interest and various plans of actions...to defuse the situation' he told reporters ahead of the ASEAN ministerial meeting in Singapore. '
'We will try our best to discuss and find solutions,' he added.
Wirajuda clarified that Cambodia did not seek the help of the United Nations in setting the row, but wrote a letter to inform the world body about the problem.
'They are very much thinking of informing the ASEAN as well,' he said.
Wirajuda said ASEAN hopes that Cambodia and Thailand would exercise utmost restraint in resolving the issue.
'Certainly it is our collective wish that the direct parties concerned, Thailand and Cambodia, will exercise utmost restraint and settle the problems between themselves.'
Wirajuda expressed hope that a direct meeting between Cambodia and Thailand joint border committee on Monday will finally find resolution to the problem.
Nearly 1,000 Cambodian troops and 500 Thail soldiers continue to face each other on the disputed territory since the tension began a week ago.
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