Updated: 8/16/2010
via Khmer NZ
The head of Southeast Asia's regional body called on Monday for a peaceful solution to a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand which has led to a war of words.
"We certainly would like to see a peaceful resolution to any problem in ASEAN," Surin Pitsuwan, the secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said after meeting Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.
He said he would await a decision by ASEAN foreign ministers before responding to Cambodia's request for regional help in resolving the row, which Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned could lead to fresh bloodshed.
The neighbouring nations have been locked in a troop standoff at their disputed border since July 2008, when the ancient Preah Vihear temple was granted UNESCO World Heritage status.
The World Court ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, although its main entrance lies in Thailand.
The exact boundary through the surrounding grounds remains in dispute, with occasional gunfights claiming several lives.
The Thai-Cambodia border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.
Surin, a citizen of Thailand, was expected to meet later Monday with Hun Sen, who in March accused him of "crazy work" and being unsuitable for the job for reportedly questioning a Cambodian rocket drill.
No comments:
Post a Comment