By D. Arul Rajoo
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has been asked to play a role to help resolve the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia which is seen to be getting worse.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said ASEAN secretary-general Dr Surin Pitsuwan contacted him late yesterday evening asking for Malaysia's help to resolve the conflict between the two countries.
"We will study the situation closely especially the dispute over the Preah Vihear temple at their common border and if the Cabinet gives the green light, I will make a trip to Cambodia.
As a friendly neighbour to both countries, we must do all we can to prevent the situation from getting out of hand," he told a press conference at Parliament's lobby here Thursday.
Rais said Surin's call to ASEAN countries to step in and help resolve the conflict through diplomatic channels was timely.
"This is because he is entrusted with the task of preserving harmony in ASEAN. And it is not only Malaysia that has been asked to help but one or two other countries as well," he said.
Rais said since Thailand and Cambodia are members of ASEAN, it was pertinent on the part of other states in ASEAN to play a positive role in the conflict.
"I should also be going to Thailand although in Thailand the position is not as congenial as we may expect for the moment due to the fact that the government is preoccupied with a certain domestic situation."
Therefore with that request from the secretary-general, Malaysia will try to play a small role, if I may put it that way so that the two parties would come to the conference table more instead of using the physical confrontational approach that have been reported by the media," he said.
Thailand and Cambodia are reported to be on the brink of war because of the dispute. Two Cambodian soldiers died while seven Thai soldiers were injured when skirmishes broke out yesterday between the troops station there.
In another development, Rais said that Malaysia was also requested by United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki Moon to play a positive role in determining the situation and the atmosphere in Myanmar through the UN office in the next few weeks.
"I am considering a few options in determining what is the best way to approach our friends in Myanmar towards the situation there specifically in respect of the human rights and problems that are being faced by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the moment," he said.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has been asked to play a role to help resolve the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia which is seen to be getting worse.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said ASEAN secretary-general Dr Surin Pitsuwan contacted him late yesterday evening asking for Malaysia's help to resolve the conflict between the two countries.
"We will study the situation closely especially the dispute over the Preah Vihear temple at their common border and if the Cabinet gives the green light, I will make a trip to Cambodia.
As a friendly neighbour to both countries, we must do all we can to prevent the situation from getting out of hand," he told a press conference at Parliament's lobby here Thursday.
Rais said Surin's call to ASEAN countries to step in and help resolve the conflict through diplomatic channels was timely.
"This is because he is entrusted with the task of preserving harmony in ASEAN. And it is not only Malaysia that has been asked to help but one or two other countries as well," he said.
Rais said since Thailand and Cambodia are members of ASEAN, it was pertinent on the part of other states in ASEAN to play a positive role in the conflict.
"I should also be going to Thailand although in Thailand the position is not as congenial as we may expect for the moment due to the fact that the government is preoccupied with a certain domestic situation."
Therefore with that request from the secretary-general, Malaysia will try to play a small role, if I may put it that way so that the two parties would come to the conference table more instead of using the physical confrontational approach that have been reported by the media," he said.
Thailand and Cambodia are reported to be on the brink of war because of the dispute. Two Cambodian soldiers died while seven Thai soldiers were injured when skirmishes broke out yesterday between the troops station there.
In another development, Rais said that Malaysia was also requested by United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki Moon to play a positive role in determining the situation and the atmosphere in Myanmar through the UN office in the next few weeks.
"I am considering a few options in determining what is the best way to approach our friends in Myanmar towards the situation there specifically in respect of the human rights and problems that are being faced by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the moment," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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