Asean chairman to hear Thai viewpoint

via CAAI

Published: 8/02/2011

The current Asean chairman, Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa, is due in Bangkok today to hear the Thai government's view on the volatile border conflict with Cambodia.

Mr Natalegawa met Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Monday.

Mr Natalegawa saidafter his meeting in Phnom Penh that he hoped the dispute could be peacefully settled through negotiation. He did not want any side to be pessimistic about the outcome.

Today, Mr Natalegawa has an appointment with Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdee, who will explain the Thai government's point of view.

Mr Thani said this morning that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying Thailand’s action during the clashes with Cambodia is appropriate and is in line with international principles.

The letter was addressed to the chairman of the UNSC and dated February 7, 2011.

The letter lays out Thailand’s stance and outlines facts about the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia and Thailand’s appropriate reaction during the clashes. It said the Thai military focused on military targets, as set down in international principles. Thailand also reiterated its stance on settling disputes through bilateral mechanisms.

United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has also expressed his grave concern over the Thai-Cambodian clashes and urged both countries to come up with mechanisms to solve their disputes and end armed confrontation as soon as possible. He said the United Nations is ready to assist in a dispute settlement.

The United States has also called for Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint.