Thailand agrees to regional meeting on Cambodia conflict

via CAAI

Monday, February 14, 2011

BANGKOK -- Thailand has agreed to join an urgent meeting among Southeast Asian nations to discuss its border conflict with Cambodia, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday.

Armored personnel carriers from the Cambodian Army drive through a road in Kampong Thom town, about 168 kilometers (104 mikes) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, Feb. 12. Kampong Thom is the neighboring province to Preah Vihear where the 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple is located, near the border between Cambodia and Thailand. (AP)

Abhisit, addressing his weekly TV program, confirmed that a meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will take place in Jakarta on February 26 to discuss the Thai-Cambodian conflict over Preah Vihear temple, which sparked border battles earlier this month.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa initiated the urgent meeting as part of his diplomatic effort to find a peaceful solution to an ongoing territorial dispute between the two ASEAN countries.

Both Cambodian and Thailand are members of ASEAN, which also includes Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

Fighting broke up between Thai and Cambodian troops based near the 11th-century Hindu temple between February 4-7, killing three Thais and five Cambodians and leaving dozens wounded on both sides.

It was the latest of several skirmishes to flare up on the Thai-Cambodian border since July 2008, when UNESCO declared the temple a World Heritage Site despite Thai objections that a 4.6-square-kilometer plot of land adjacent to the temple was still under a sovereignty dispute.

Thailand has maintained that the border conflict should be settled bilaterally, but Cambodia is pushing, with apparent success, for international intervention.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong will meet in New York on Monday to explain their stance on the issue to the United Nations Security Council.

Foreign Minister Natalegawa of Indonesia, which currently chairs ASEAN, will attend the U.N. meeting and then host an ASEAN meeting on the conflict on Feb. 26.

He has said his role will be to facilitate a bilateral solution between Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

Preah Vihear temple has been a bone of contention between Thailand and Cambodia for the past five decades, leading to a cessation of diplomatic ties in 1958.

The two countries agreed to have the sovereignty spat settled at the International Court which in 1962 ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia.

The court decision did not rule on the territory adjacent to the temple, which now both countries claim.

Rival protesters back on streets of Bangkok

http://www.irishtimes.com/

via CAAI

The Irish Times - Monday, February 14, 2011

CLIFFORD COONAN

THAILAND’S DEEP political divisions were underlined by demonstrations yesterday which featured both red and yellow-shirted protesters who staged separate protests against the government ahead of an election planned for the first half of this year.

The Red Shirts, many of whom support exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, were calling for the release of 18 of their detained leaders.

Their rival Yellow Shirts want prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down over his handling of an ongoing border dispute with Cambodia.

Last year, the Red Shirts, who are largely composed of the rural poor and people from northern Thailand, Mr Thaksin’s traditional power base, occupied the central business district of Bangkok for 10 weeks until the military crushed the protest.

Ninety-one people were killed and more than 1,800 wounded. The Red Shirts are calling for a full investigation of events. Since then, 18 Red Shirt leaders have been detained. Their supporters gathered outside the criminal court yesterday to call for their release. The court is due to make a ruling on a bail appeal on February 21st.

“We are here to call for justice,” Red Shirt leader Thida Thavornseth said outside the court. “We’re not planning to break into the court. We just want to show our support to all the leaders who are still in prison.”

There are fears that turbulence could return to Thailand, bringing the possibility of more violence or even military intervention.

The Red Shirt protesters later moved their demonstration to the Democracy Monument in the city’s old quarter, just over a kilometre from a small, two-week protest held by the yellow-shirted People’s Alliance for Democracy.

The Yellow Shirts, who are made up of the Bangkok elite and are staunchly monarchist, used to be allies of Mr Abhisit’s ruling Democrat Party but have turned against him in the past few months, accusing him of failing to get to grips with a long-running border dispute with Cambodia.

Four days of clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces erupted on the border early this month around the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple claimed by both.

Both rallies were held despite the introduction last week of the Internal Security Act, which bans protests in main government and commercial areas.

The rallies were staged ahead of an election that Mr Abhisit has said could take place in the first half of the year if the economy recovered and if demonstrations were peaceful in the meantime.

There was a heavy riot police presence yesterday but the protests went off peacefully.

Panic erupts as things go bang in the night

via CAAI

Published: 14/02/2011

SI SA KET : Loud bangs late in the night have caused panic among villagers who have just returned to their homes near the Cambodian border after being evacuated last week.

Thawatchai: No new fighting reported

The villagers, who were moved to emergency shelters after clashes erupted along the border on Feb 4, were settling for the night after returning home on Saturday when three loud bangs rang out about 10.10pm.

Some fled their homes in panic for fear of further clashes between troops from the two neighbouring countries.

The noises were loud enough to trigger a state of chaos in Ban Phum Srol, Ban Don-aow and Ban Nong Mek, the three communities directly affected by the border clashes.

The sounds came from somewhere east of the villages, in the direction of where Thai and Cambodian troops are stationed.

The 2nd Army allowed about 10,000 people taking refuge at the Kantharalak district office to return home on Saturday after there were no further flare-ups after the last round of clashes on Feb 7.

Many residents felt secure enough and decided to return home in the knowledge they were being protected by the Suranari Task Force.

But 196 people rushed back to the shelter after hearing the loud reports, only to find it had been closed after the last villager left.

Second Army commander Thawatchai Samutsakhon said the explosions were not the result of any new fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops. They came from deeper inside Cambodia. "We are not covering it up because if Cambodia had fired at us, we would have responded and the loud noises would have been much greater," Lt Gen Thawatchai said yesterday.

Col Chinnakaj Ratanajitti, a field spokesman for the 2nd Army, said: "They sounded more like gunshots but as the villagers remained frightened by the consequences of the past troop clashes and it was night-time, the shots might have sounded louder than they actually were."

The 2nd Army has added more troops and stepped up patrols in affected villages to reassure residents of their safety, he said.

The headmaster of Ban Phum Srol School, which was badly damaged by rockets fired from a Cambodian BM-21 multiple launcher, has turned the debris into a reminder of the Feb 4 incident.

"We want our children to have something to remind them that their school was once badly damaged by the Cambodian troops," said Pramul Sawaengphol, the school director.

"War or fighting is terrible and no one wants it to happen again."

A sports competition being held at the school was suddenly interrupted on Feb4 by the sound of gunfire, sending the participants from 13 villages scattering for their safety.

A four-storey school building was hit by at least three rockets, resulting in severe damage to the roof and the two uppermost floors. Two more rockets landed in the schoolyard and on the road leading to the school.

The damaged building has yet to be repaired but the school will resume classes today .

"I believe Valentine's Day will bring some good news from the negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia [in New York before the United Nations Security Council]," Mr Pramul said.

'Bad history' not helping attitudes on both sides

http://news.asiaone.com/

via CAAI

Mon, Feb 14, 2011

The Nation/Asia News Network

While some national media are quick to cast Cambodians as people not to be trusted, locals in Si Sa Ket have a more complex view of their neighbours. This doesn't stop some national papers espousing archetypal bias towards Cambodians, though such popular misconceptions may backfire and hinder mending ties between the people of the two nations well into the future.

"Elderly people in the areas along the border who for long have been trading with their neighbour often remind their children and grandchildren that they have never trusted Cambodians because [Cambodians] are not predictable. 'They may be friends in the morning but by the evening become enemies'," wrote a columnist last Tuesday.

While some locals say they do not trust Cambodians and will demand cash upfront when trading with them, others say such stereotyping is simply wrong. "There's no absolutely good Thai or absolutely evil Cambodian and vice versa," Niphon Polsaet-rerk, a school teacher in Kantharalak, said yesterday.

What's more, some villagers are married to Cambodians and surely none would have done so if all Thais believe Cambodians are not to be trusted.

But history textbooks and popular beliefs among Thais and Cambodians perpetuate prejudice and distrust. A scholar like Thibadi Buakamsri, of Kasetsart University, explained in a chapter of the Thai-language book "Nationalism in Thai Textbooks" how Thai history books made Thai students regard Cambodians with prejudice and distrust. A heavy reliance on historical accounts written by Siam's elite meant Thai history books gave Cambodians short shrift, he said.

"Cambodia [in the past] is just a small protectorate that often seeks to exploit moments of Ayutthaya's weakness by taking away some people [as captives] and declaring independence."

Contemporary writing in newspaper columns, feature stories and other popular media is very much moulded by this narrow-minded perspective in school textbooks, he said.

Sarnti Pakdeekham, a Cambodian studies expert at Srinakharinwirot University, also wrote that Cambodian textbooks more often than not remind their readers that Thais are ruthless foreign aggressors.

Sarnti, writing in his Thai-language book published in 2009 entitled "Khmers debate about Siam", said that while Cambodians' attitude towards Thais (and Siamese of the past) was rather complex, it might best compared to the negative attitude Thais hold toward the Burmese, who twice attacked and burnt down Ayutthaya.

"The way Thai history portrayed Burma as the historical 'bad guys' is not that different from the way Cambodian history writes about 'Thailand'," Sarnti wrote on pages 3-4 of his book.

Given that Thai-Cambodian relations are based on deeply rooted beliefs, historical wounds and nationalism, the ongoing conflict should be treated most carefully in order not to exacerbate the situation further. The conflict also should serve as a wake-up call for people in the two societies to think about how they can best overcome past wounds and present prejudice and distrust. This will be no easy task, but the other option of going to war and hating each other even more should certainly be less desirable.

The challenge for both Thais and Cambodians is to learn not to become a prisoner of their past while also questioning the prison that current nationalist thinking lock us in.

Phnom Penh’s US$70 million Rose City Condominiums set for mid-2011 completion

Construction began in late 2008 on Rose City Condominiums.

via CAAI
 
Byron Perry

Feb 14, 2011
 

US$70 million Phnom Penh development Rose City Condominiums is scheduled to be completed in mid-2011, the Phnom Penh Post has reported.

Work on the 29-story Rose City Condominiums began in 2008. The project, located near the new Sofitel Phnom Penh in the Chamkarmon district, is part of the larger Bassac Garden City development by Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC).

“We have almost completed our project. We are just doing interior design and will be finished by mid-2011, and open for clients to move in later this year,” said Touch Samnang, project manager for OCIC. OCIC also holds a stake in Canadia Bank.

The Rose City towers stands on 1.5 hectares, with each of the four buildings set to contain more than 100 units. 

Work on the project began during the beginning of Cambodia’s property downturn, said Touch Samnang. “Even though the property market hit a slump caused by the world financial crisis, we never delayed,” he said. “We’re not worried [about the project’s success], because we have a lot of funds from our bank.”

In contrast, other high profile Phnom Penh developments have had to stop construction recently.

Gold Tower 42, at the corner of Sihanouk and Monivong Boulevards, saw work halt in September, while other projects in the capital have delayed beginning construction.

Touch Samnang claimed that the Rose City project was already sold out at prices of between US$100,000 and US$200,000 per unit. Clients, he said, were mostly businesspeople, government officials, and a few foreigners.

Ministry of Land Planning, Urban Management and Construction department of construction director Lao Tip Seiha said that Rose City was being constructed smoothly – adding the project was so far without delay.

“This is a big project, among other big projects belonging to Canadia Bank. It aims to share in and push the construction sector in Cambodia to grow,” he said. “There is still activity in the construction sector. Some development projects have been postponed, but construction on other projects is still underway.”

OCIC owns other projects, including the Diamond Island development, as well as Canadia Tower – currently the tallest in Cambodia.

Total construction in Cambodia declined nearly 58 percent in 2010 compared to a year earlier, according to previous ministry statistics. The figures – which include individual buildings as well as developments with multiple buildings – show 2,149 projects worth $840 million were given the green light last year, down from $1.988 billion in 2009.

Show villa complete at Song Saa Private Island

via CAAI

Monday, 14 February 2011

Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia’s first luxury private island resort has recently completed the first mock-up villa.

“We are pleased to see the project’s steady progress. The completion of the first one-bedroom jungle villa marks a key milestone for Song Saa and illustrates the quality of development that we aim to achieve at the resort.” said Mr. Rory Hunter, CEO of Brocon, the Australian-owned company behind the development.

The upmarket resort is being built on Koh Ouen and Koh Bong in Cambodia’s pristine Koh Rong Archipelago. Upon completion, the resort will feature 25 rainforest, beach and over-water villas, each featuring a private pool. Adopting a ‘Rustic Chic’ design, the resort is inspired by Cambodian fishing villages with features such as over-water buildings, thatch roofs, use of rough-hewn natural timbers and drift wood, while offering the amenities and services one would expect from a five-star resort.

At the heart of the resort will be an over-water restaurant and lounge, positioned just off the island’s shoreline and surrounded by ocean. Other resort facilities include an infinity edged pool, gym, spa & wellness centre, yoga & meditation centre and a beachside water sports centre offering a range of activities such as sailing, diving, kayaking and snorkelling.

The resort commenced construction in March 2010 and is now well underway and on schedule to welcome guests in November 2011. The second show villa will also be completed by mid-February.

The first phase of villas was launched for sale through sole agent CB Richard Ellis in late 2009 and sold out within two months to a diverse mix of global investors spanning from Japan, Norway, UK and France. Following the success, the subsequent phase of one-bedroom over-water villas was launched in October 2010.

The villas offer a unique opportunity to acquire a special piece of real estate that is rarely offered elsewhere in the region. “While over-water villas are commonly seen in the Maldives, Song Saa is the first and only development at present to offer over-water villas for private ownership in Southeast Asia” said Rory.

The villas are also backed by an attractive investment proposition which offer investors an 8% guaranteed yield for five years - a superior rate in the region. The second phase of over-water villas has received strong interest from investors in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and the UK, with one sale now concluded, leaving only five-over-water villas remaining for sale.

“The quality of the completed show villa at Song Saa is unmatched by other product seen to date on Cambodia’s coastline and the development offers an opportunity for investors to get in early at the start of the development cycle.” said Mr. David Simister, Chairman, CB Richard Ellis Indochina.

Development on Cambodia’s coastline has been limited to date and tourism in Cambodia has been largely centred on Angkor Wat and Siem Reap. However, with regular airlift from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville scheduled to begin in March, this will be a major catalyst for growth in Sihanoukville and Cambodia’s south coast tourism. Song Saa is accessible by a 20-minute boat ride from the Sihanoukville port.

Alternatively, the resort can also be directly accessed by a one hour sea plane flight from Siem Reap. Brocon has recently finalised a deal with a sea plane operator to operate two daily flights to and from the island, making the resort extremely accessible for owners and hotel guests who can enjoy an extended beach holiday following their visit to Siem Reap.

With the resort scheduled for a November opening, a highly experienced team has been put into place to oversee the management of Song Saa Private Island. Heading the team is Jean-Paul Riby, the resort’s General Manager who is a specialist in small, remote luxury resorts with over 15 years of experience.

Even prior to the resort opening, Song Saa Private Island has already been selected as “The Hottest New Trips for 2011” by the Financial Times, “Stylish, chic, and sexy: this year's best new places to stay” by the Times and “2011 Where to go, what to do” by The Independent.

A limited number of over-water villas remain for sale through sole agent CB Richard Ellis.

Feature: Thai border villagers back home after clashes

via CAAI

February 14, 2011

When Wirot Sambookoraw, a villager in Thai-Cambodian border area, arrived home from the temporary shelter on Saturday, he knew he had to deal with the fact that he would have no home at all for the next month.

In the border village of Jinglor, Kantaralak district, Wirot, 44, tried to find something intact in the debris of his bungalow. Finally, he found a bedroom door still useful.

"The provincial government promised us that the damaged bungalows would be rebuilt within a month and the Army agreed to help. I feel much better now," said Wirot.

"At the first sight of my home after the bombing, I was so mad that I hoped our army could take revenge for my loss. But now, on a second thought, I hope it can stop here and there is no more fighting."

The clashes between Thailand and Cambodia started on Feb. 4 and ended on Feb. 7, leaving at least three people dead and dozens of others injured in the Thai side, and thousands of border villagers temporarily homeless.

Jinglor village, only 11 km away from the border, suffered an artillery attack in the first day of the latest round of clashes between the two countries in their chronic territorial dispute over a 4.6-sq-km land near Preah Vihear temple.

The temple, itself a sensitive issue frequently raised by nationalists of both countries, had been ruled by the international court in Hague in 1962 to belong to Cambodia. UNESCO 's enlisting it in the World Culture Heritage list in 2008 accelerated the tension on this issue between Thailand and Cambodia.

A strip of 4.6-sq-km land around the 11th-century temple was claimed by both countries, which led to skirmishes between the two armies during the past years.

This is the first time, however, that this village has been damaged by this kind of clashes, said Wirot.

A villager was killed by the rocket when he was working in the field. "This time the clashes are the biggest," he added. besides, seven huts were destroyed in the village.

An anonymous Thai ranger, who took part in the clashes, echoed Wirot by saying that this was the fiercest crossfire he had ever seen since he was stationed here five years ago.

"Before both sides only used guns, this time we saw rockets and cannons," he said.

Wirot also mentioned that an artillery shell even hit the roof of the school building and exploded at the back yard. That was lucky, he said, "because at the moment the kids were holding sports event right at the front yard. Think about what might have happened..."

When both Thailand and Cambodia are blaming each other for triggering the fresh clashes, the villagers hesitate to make judgment. He said that before the firing some Cambodian soldiers who had wives in this village made phonecalls to their wives, warning them against danger.

"You see, we don't hate each other. Our girls even married their guys," Wirot said.

There were about 1,800 households in the three villages here, including Jinglor, said Wirot, and most of them have been back home Saturday as soon as the Si Sa Ket provincial government announced the situation was stable and the border villagers could go back.

Thousands of the local residents had taken shelters from the possible shellfire since the clashes broke out, and their daily trade with Cambodians had to halt, too.

"We (the Thai and Cambodian border villagers) are in good relations, we never hate each other, even now," said Wirot. "They come to us to buy rice, fruits, cloths, and others, while we go over there for fish and some wood and animals. There is only a narrow river between us. We can come and go freely. But since the clashes we can't do it any more."

In the capital of Bangkok, which is about 700 km away from the border area, thousands of supporters of "yellow-shirts" group were protesting against the government, blaming it for lacking toughness over Preah Vihear issue.

For Wirot, however, "talk for peace" seems always the best way. "If 'red-shirts' want wars, let them come and live here. Then they will know how a war will be like. They will know the consequences, " he said, pointing at his shattered bungalow.

The UN Security Council will hold a closed meeting Monday on the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in an effort to negotiate a peace deal. The foreign ministers from the two nations, and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa are expected to participate in and speak to the council.

Maybe this meeting can lend some hope to Wirot, who, worried about his small bungalow, is not aware of the news at all.

Source: Xinhua

Strongman father dreams of glory for 'heroic' son

via CAAI

Published: 10/02/2011 

Hun Manet is no stranger to the Thai military. Even ordinary Thais know about the eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen from the border conflicts near Preah Vihear temple. The Thai military top brass has kept a close watch on Hun Manet since he went to West Point in the United States more than a decade ago.

The Cambodian strongman attended the graduation ceremony of his son at the famous US military school in 1999. Since then the Thai army has known that Hun Sen has a long-term plan to place his son in control of the Cambodian armed forces and succeed him in the top job of the Cambodian government.

The first step was fulfilled when Hun Sen defied criticism from opponents to promote Hun Manet to the rank of a two-star general, as deputy chief of the unit assigned to specifically protect Hun Sen.

Senior Thai military officers noted that Hun Sen was also using his son as a military link between Phnom Penh and Washington - as seen in the increased military aid and training, including US anti-terrorism tactics, given to the Cambodian forces.

After graduating from West Point, now-Maj Gen Hun Manet pursued a Master's degree in economics in the United Kingdom, where he started building contacts with Thai students and officers studying there. His connections with Thailand expanded when he had several chances to attend military conferences in Thailand and made numerous trips to Bangkok.

"Hun Manet is down-to-earth even though he is the prime minister's son. He is an easy-going guy and very friendly," one of his Thai friends in the army said. "We all know that he is destined to be the next Cambodian prime minister.

"Hun Sen loves his son, always listens to him and sometimes gives his son some advice," the same officer added.

It is believed that Thai army officers used their personal contacts with Maj Gen Hun Manet to convince his father to help the 7 Thais, including Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, after they were arrested by Cambodian security authorities on Dec 29.

His name is now well-known among the Thai people after he was given his new assignment: commander of the Cambodian forces fighting Thailand in the present conflict over the 4.6 square kilometre area. The Cambodian media reported his participation - with Lt Gen Chea Mon, chief of the Cambodian army's fourth region, and Lt Gen Srey Duek, who is in charge of the Cambodian province of Preah Vihear - on Jan 28 after the Thai army pressured Cambodia to demolish a stone tablet bearing the statement "Here is Cambodia" at Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda two days earlier, followed by a call from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that Phnom Penh remove the Cambodian national flag at Wat Keo Sikha Kiri Savara, which is situated in an area also claimed by Thailand as part of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province. The tablet was destroyed but Mr Abhisit's counterpart, Hun Sen, refused to remove the flag. Instead, he ordered his son to be stationed at Preah Vihear to lead the Cambodian army in the border clashes instead of ordering him to return to Phnom Penh.

"Since then Thai intelligence officers who monitor Cambodia's military communication lines have heard his voice commanding Cambodian soldiers", including the communique on Feb 4 when the first clash took place, a Thai intelligence officer said.

After the second clash on Feb 6, the Thai army has not heard his voice, and there has been speculation that he has been injured. That rumour turned out to be false.

Another rumour was that his younger brother, Col Hun Mani, was injured on Feb 4 when his tank was hit by a Thai artillery shell which, according to the Thai army's claim, killed 64 Cambodian soldiers, damaged 15 other tanks, six artilleries and four BM 21 multi-rocket launchers.

But even this could not be confirmed.

Maj Gen Hun Manet took the leading role in the fighting on the night of Feb 6, in what the Thai army believes was in retaliation for the loss of Cambodian forces and the slight damage to Preah Vihear temple. The target of that raid were the Thai soldiers based at Phu Ma Khua, and he decided to launch the attack at night because he realised that timing and experience would give his troops an advantage. One thing gave the Thai army the upper hand: superior weapons.

There has been no report of any losses among the Cambodian soldiers as they were aware that radio communications had been intercepted by Thailand. On the Thai side, 14 Thai soldiers and two villagers were injured. One of the troops later died.

Thai army officers believe that Hun Sen's decision to send his son to lead Cambodian soldiers in the border clash was intentional. "Hun Sen wanted his son to get credit and recognition from the Cambodian people, to pave the way for him to be promoted in the army," one Thai army source noted.

Leading the fight against "Siam" has already put his name in the Cambodian history books, the source added.

After the latest clash on Feb 6, Maj Gen Hun Manet "approached" Thai army leaders including chief of the 2nd Army, Thawatchai Samutsakhon, and army C-in-C Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha. "I have been in contact with Hun Manet. Both Thai and Cambodian commanders have already reached an understanding," Lt Gen Thawatchai said.

"I can confirm that Thai soldiers did not start the war. We got shot first. We never started any invasion and were on the defensive. But let me assure everybody that we are not the underdog," he said, speaking of the Thai position.

Whatever the outcome of the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, one sure thing is that Maj Gen Hun Manet has become a hero to his Cambodian countrymen.

Wassana Nanuam reports on military affairs for the Bangkok Post.

Much more can be gained with a third party's help

via CAAI

Published: 14/02/2011 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

Following the border clashes with Cambodia which erupted two weeks ago and ensuing attempts to reach a peaceful resolution, Thailand now finds itself playing on two diplomatic chessboards. Later tonight (Monday night, Bangkok time) we will know the results of the first face-off between Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong as they present their cases to the United Nations Security Council.

The Asean chair, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, will also be there, playing a pivotal role in game one, as well as game two - the "urgent" meeting of Asean foreign ministers on Feb 22 in Jakarta, aimed at facilitating a resolution.

In New York today, the UNSC will hear two key messages - apart from statements from both sides that "they shot first". Thailand will state that the Cambodian attacks indiscriminately damaged civilian property and killed one civilian while Cambodian troops used Preah Vihear temple and its immediate surroundings as a military base to fire into Thai troops and civilians and as shelter, which exposed the temple to grave danger and destruction. Cambodia, on the other hand, will insist that "this is a war" that cannot be resolved bilaterally but that a resolution can be achieved with the presence of a third party.

Like it or not, Cambodia has managed to internationalise the dispute. From an Asean perspective, Phnom Penh can cite Article 28 of the Asean Charter which allows it to seek "the right of recourse to modes of peaceful settlement" contained in Article 33 of the United Nations Charter. Under this UN article, the UNSC shall call on the parties to first settle their dispute and seek a solution "by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice". The Security Council has already called on Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their differences through these means.

But given the two differing positions of Thailand and Cambodia on the prospects of bilateral talks resolving the dispute, and the Asean chair's proactive role in offering assistance, the UNSC can today rely on the UN Charter's Article 52 and 53 which opens the door for "regional arrangements and agencies" to play a role in dispute settlements.

Since Thailand and Cambodia are members of Asean, the UNSC today could urge both parties to, according to the UN Charter, "make every effort to achieve pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies before referring them to the Security Council". Or the UNSC, after listening to ministers Kasit and Hor Namhong, could (again under the UN Charter) suggest that the "regional arrangement and agencies", that is Asean, assist in resolving the dispute.

The key question is what decision will the UNSC adopt today? It is likely that the UNSC will recognise that the dispute is a threat to regional peace (not international as Cambodia has portrayed things) and that both countries find a peaceful and amicable solution soon. But at the same time, the UNSC could suggest that any unresolved issue be open to a third party's good offices, conciliation and mediation while adhering to the UN and Asean charters. In other words: go back and sort out your problems peacefully and if you have problems, consult Mr Marty (and Asean) who should report back when progress is made.

If this is the gist of the UNSC decision, unlike other decisions of UN bodies, it is binding and must be respected and implemented by the disputing parties. Therefore Thailand needs to think ahead and hard, not only of how it will react to the results of chess game one but how it can manage in chess game number two - the urgent Asean meeting of foreign ministers in Jakarta on Feb 22.

An Asean role in assisting to resolve disputes among member states in not really new. In 1997 when the dual premiership arrangement in Cambodia fell apart the Asean Troika was formed comprising Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. The Troika was assisted by participants of the Asean Regional Forum, including the United Nations, which formed a Friends of Cambodia Group, which played a supporting role, in overcoming the problem.

There is no doubt that Thailand and Cambodia have their national interests to protect. But at the same time, in this period of change, they are also members of Asean and must have the interests of Asean at heart. An effective Asean - with the means and an effective and accepted mechanism to resolve disputes, especially political disputes that erupt into violence - is good for its individual members and the region as a whole. Such a mechanism will help boost confidence in the region because it can sort out problems in its own backyard among members. This can only help boost its competitiveness in the medium and long terms.

Clearly this is a difficult challenge, not only for Thailand and Cambodia, but all its members because it involves balancing national and regional interests. Ironically, the current dispute provides a golden opportunity for its individual members to chart the course in open terrain and build this dispute mechanism.

Already the role played by the Indonesian foreign minister as the Asean chair is a proactive and positive one. But how can the role of the Asean chair - and even that of the Asean secretary-general - be truly enhanced and taken further as a mechanism of "conciliation and mediation" according to Article 22-24 of the Asean Charter? If such a mechanism can be forged, the next question is what is the relationship between this mechanism and the United Nations Security Council or the United Nations secretary-general?

Thailand needs to look ahead at these issues and - as it has in the past - play a key role in shaping this process or mechanism that will help shape and forge the future of Asean. Like it or not, the ball will be in Thailand's court as chess game two commences in a week's time. Of course, the current dispute, the meeting of the UNSC and the meeting in Jakarta next week, is more than a game.

Thailand must adopt a more meaningful and proactive role. It needs to be more forward-thinking as it is in the country's national interest in order to achieve peace and prosperity along its borders and within the region.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pichai Chuensuksawadi is Editor-in-Chief of Post Publishing Plc. He can be reached at: pichai@bangkokpost.co.th.

Asean's expanding role in conflict settlement

via CAAI

By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation
Published on February 14, 2011

 

Asean's often claimed political utopia, that its members had never fought an open war was shattered to smithereens during the three-day (February 4-6) fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Prime Minister Hun Sen even went as far as to declare it a real war, which has unwittingly placed the Asean leaders and their organisation under the world's microscope. He has opened a Pandora's box for Asean. Now, all together, they have to find ways to smooth out these troubled relations. Otherwise, the grouping's creditability in the global arena will be severely undermined.

The attention this week will be focused on briefings at UN Headquarters in New York by foreign ministers of the warring parties, Kasit Piromya and Hor Nam Hong, and their results. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, current Asean rotating Chair, will be there as well to provide Asean views and to ensure after the meeting there would emerge a consensus or two, which the Asean chair can later utilise to facilitate further the peace process to end hostilities.

Obviously, it is rare for Asean warring parties to appear so readily at the UNSC. The last time Asean involved at the UN was on the burning issue of East Timor in 1999. Burma, although an Asean member, has been an "international issue" of longer standing. Since 2008, Cambodia has always wanted to raise the border fighting with the UN platform, but they were not successful. However, this time, with intense fighting and heavy artillery exchanges, quite a few UNSC members expressed concerns over renewed hostilities and decided to call for a meeting. The current composition of the UNSC, comprising new emerging powers, allows a new dynamism that permits the Thai-Cambodian clashes to be discussed. However, the outcome of UNSC briefings and deliberations—possibly through a presidential statement-- are non-binding.

Marty knows the trend. His call for a "brief, urgent and informal" meeting with his Asean counterparts on February 22 in Jakarta is indeed an anticipation of a mandate for the UNSC for Asean, under his leadership, to take up the same "regional" responsibility. It was an open secret that during his "shuttle diplomacy" he had been in close touch with both members of the UNSC and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. In a nutshell, the informal gathering will follow up on the UNSC meeting and what Asean can do next to mitigate further conflict and salvage the grouping's reputation. A more systematic approach to conflict resolution and dispute settlements as outlined in the Asean Charter, as well as those contained in the Asean Political and Security Community blueprint, will be discussed and put into practice.

Indeed, Marty is well in position to take up this formidable challenge. He knows the UN system like the back of his hands, having served there before taking up the current ministerial position. He is a respectable and world-class diplomat with friends aplenty at the UN top echelon, especially the current president UNSC Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti from Brazil. With abundant UN experience, connections and diplomatic skills, he can speak on behalf of Asean and the UNSC will listen. He will certainly win support from all the council members to bring the matter back to existing regional mechanisms. Despite their confrontation, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to use the MOU 2000 and Joint Border Committee as a basis of their negotiations. Now with the ball in Asean's court, its members need to find common solutions that augur well with the Asean norms and practices.

Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan understood the situation well when he released a statement early last week that the discussion at the UN represents an evolution in Asean's efforts to resolve bilateral disputes among members under the Asean Charter. He reiterated that the meeting would set a precedent for future Asean dispute settlement mechanisms.

As such, it is the most ironic development in Asean history to have Cambodia as the catalyst. Both Prime Minister Hun Sen and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong have been engaging with the UN authorities at all levels—both as friends and foes—for more than three decades. Throughout the 1980's, Asean fought hard with them to push out foreign troops to attain peace in the war-torn country. Asean dispatched its tripartite team to Phnom Penh in 1998 to help work out a political stand-off before its admission into Asean a year later.

Indeed, modern Cambodia is the product of longstanding UN peace efforts and dividends—the most cited UN success - during the 1990's followed the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement in 1991. UN sponsored elections in 1993 saw the unstoppable rise of Hun Sen and his Cambodian People's Party as well as other opposition leaders. As of today, however, these opposition leaders are all living in exile including Sam Rainsey. The only credible voice to monitor the government and its ruling party these days are the burgeoning civil society organisations, which are currently under threat by a new NGO law.

What will be the perceived future role of Asean in peace and conflict issues? As chair, Indonesia is in a delicate situation. If previous efforts to mediate and end conflict within Asean were any guide, Asean members would remain extremely cautious. Jakarta did not succeed when it tried to mediate the Burmese crisis in 2008 even at the leaders' level. Bangkok encountered a similar problem when its proposal on the amnesty of Dawn Aung San Suu Kyi was backed by only half the members during its chair in 2009.

In recent international security issues, the UNSC often makes use of its Article 52 of the UN Charter to share burdens and delegate responsibility to existing "regional arrangements"--for instance, the African Union in Sudan, NATO in Kosovo and Afghanistan, the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Haiti. Ironically, a long standing common aversion for anything UN and anything collective within Asean has to be revised by the requirement of the Asean Charter, which cross-references itself to the UN Charter. In particular, Article 22-23 and 28 of the Asean Charter must be read in light of, or in conjunction with Article 52-53 of the UN Charter, in which the 1945 founding document clearly calls for the world body to work in collaborating "existing regional arrangements" in the maintenance of peace and security.

In the final analysis, Asean has been brought to this "reality show" by its mercurial member, who would force Asean to measure up to what Marty calls "the expectation of the international community." One big question is in order: Is Asean ready to become a pro-active, forward-looking organisation which could expose individual members to outside scrutiny and eventually erode the principle of non-interference and consensus making?

UN should get Cambodia to hold bilateral talks: Abhisit

via CAAI

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation
Published on February 14, 2011

United Nations likely to ask Asean to mediate in border row between two countries: diplomatic sources

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva expected the meeting of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York today could convince Cambodia to get back to bilateral channel with Thailand to settle border conflict at the areas adjacent to the Preah Vihear.

"The way to solve (border) problem should be based on bilateral negotiation, rather than bringing other third party to get involved in this matter," Abhisit said in his weekly television program yesterday.

The UNSC agreed with request from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to convene an urgent meeting on the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia but it remained unclear what would be an outcome of the meeting. Diplomatic sources said it was possible that the UN would throw the issue to regional forum Asean, whose current chair and Indonesia Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa was also at the UN meeting.

Hun Sen requested the UN forces to create buffer zone at the Preah Vihear's vicinity to ensure peace for the world heritage inscribed 900 years old temple.

Abhisit said Thai delegation to the UN meeting led by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya would explain to the 15 member body that it was Cambodia who ignited the military clash at the border which claimed at least eight of lives including a Thai civilian on February 4-7.

"It is not true as Cambodia claimed that we are the invader," he said. "The call for the third party or the UN peacekeeping forces is not relevant."

Thailand's real intention is to have the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to suspend the Preah Viehar's management plan proposed by Cambodia until the two countries could settle the boundary conflict.

Abhisit said he had evidence to prove that Cambodia used the world heritage for military purpose during the clash with Thailand.

Abhisit also rejected Cambodia's call for demilitarisation at the Preah Vihear in order to move forward the process of world heritage inscription. Thailand could not agree with any idea to make peace for the benefit of word heritage as long as the border dispute was not settled, he said.

Thailand and Cambodia have a joint boundary committee (JBC) and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed since 2000 to handle land boundary demarcation.

However the JBC has not worked properly for a period of time since its previous meeting in April 2009 as Thai parliament has not yet approved its minutes of three previous meetings to give nod to the body to go ahead the survey and demarcation tasks.

Having JBC to settle the boundary conflict with Cambodia is an uphill task for Abhisit's government as nationalists protesting on streets and working in the parliament would not allow the government to implement the 2000 MOU as they feared Thailand could lose territory to Cambodia.

Abhisit-once friendly People's Alliance for Democracy, which has been camping near Prime Minister Office since last month, wanted the government to scrap the MOU and used armed forces to remove Cambodian people, troops and property out of the disputed area.

Cambodia's JBC chief Var Kimhong rejected a Thai proposal to call a JBC meeting later this month saying the bilateral mechanism cannot resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, Thailand's JBC chief Asda Jayanama did not focus on boundary work but was busy with lobbying the Unesco in Paris to have the UN cultural body stayed away from the Preah Vihear.

As the bilateral mechanism was difficult to work, many multilateral forums stayed open for the issue of boundary conflict between the two countries. After the UNSC, the Asean would open a meeting in Jakarta on February 22 over the boundary conflict of the two members, Thailand and Cambodia. Abhisit said he would send his foreign minister Kasit to attend the meeting in Jakarta.

The Hindu temple of Preah Vihear has been sitting at the core conflict between Thailand and Cambodia since last century. It ignited military clashes over the past years since Phnom Penh managed to list it as a world heritage site in 2008 with Thailand's disagreement.

The four-day border skirmish early this month left local residents in Si Sa Ket province in fear. Many villagers were in panic as sound of loud explosion took place in border area late Saturday night. Hundreds of them rushed to seek refuge in down town of Kanthalalak district early morning yesterday before going back home around mid day when authority informed there was no more clash in the border area.

Opposition protesters back on streets of Bangkok

Thai anti-government 'Red Shirts' protesters ride a pick-up truck during a rally outside Bangkok's criminal court

via CAAI

BANGKOK — Thousands of anti-government protesters massed in the Thai capital Sunday for the latest in a series of rallies by rival political factions ahead of elections expected this year.

Police estimated that up to 25,000 "Red Shirts" -- the movement behind violent mass protests in the heart of Bangkok last year -- gathered near Democracy Monument at the peak of the latest demonstration.

Thousands of police were deployed for the event, which the Reds' hero, fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, addressed in a phone-in from an undisclosed location.

Thaksin remains a controversial figure in Thailand. He draws support among the mainly poor and working class Red Shirts but is loathed by the urban elite, who see him as corrupt, authoritarian and a threat to the revered monarchy.

"We don't want anything but peace and hope the country returns to normal," said the tycoon-turned-premier, who lives overseas -- mostly in Dubai -- to avoid a jail sentence for corruption imposed in absentia.

"We want free and fair elections. We want to see an elected government," he told the red-clad crowd. "I believe an election will be held but not soon because they (the current government) benefit from corruption."

Thaksin again brushed aside rumours that his health is ailing.

Mass protests in April and May of last year by the Red Shirts left 90 people dead in a series of street clashes between demonstrators and the army, which broke up the demonstration.

The Reds, who were campaigning for immediate elections, have held a series of peaceful one-day rallies in the capital in recent weeks calling for the release of key leaders held in prison on terrorism charges.

Red Shirt supporters on Sunday laid red roses in front of Bangkok's Criminal Court where a letter from detained leaders was read out.

Rival "Yellow Shirt" nationalist activists meanwhile have been rallying recently near Government House calling for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down over his handling of a deadly border dispute with Cambodia.

The "Yellow Shirts" were once allies of the establishment-backed Abhisit, but relations have soured recently and the movement's political party has emerged as a rival force to the ruling Democrats.

Abhisit said last week he would call a general election in the first half of this year if there was no fresh political violence.

The government recently invoked the Internal Security Act in Bangkok to cope with the renewed political rallies.

Thai "reds," "yellows" rally on Bangkok's streets

via CAAI

By Manunphattr Dhanananphorn

BANGKOK | Sun Feb 13, 2011

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of Thais held color-coded "red" and "yellow" protests in Bangkok on Sunday, underlining persistent anti-government sentiment and deep political divisions ahead of an election planned this year.

The "red shirts" called for the release of 18 of their detained leaders and their rival "yellow shirts" demanded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's resignation over his handling of a long-running border dispute with Cambodia.

The rallies were staged ahead of an election that Abhisit says could take place in the first half of the year. On-off anti-government campaigns since 2005 by two groups with a history of, at times, violent protests point to a rocky road for Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.

The two rallies also took place in defiance of the Internal Security Act (ISA) invoked last Tuesday and banning protests in main government and commercial areas.

There was a heavy presence of riot police, but no attempt was made to block the demonstrators, who protested peacefully.

Last year saw some of the worst political violence in modern Thai history during a 10-week protest and sit-in in Bangkok by "red-shirts," most of whom support ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Gunmen clashed with soldiers on the streets and eventually the military crushed the protest. Ninety-one people were killed and more than 1,800 wounded.

Eighteen "red shirt" leaders have been detained since then and their supporters massed on Sunday outside the Criminal Court, which will make a ruling on a bail appeal on February 21.

"We are here to call for justice," 'red shirt' leader Thida Thavornseth told reporters outside the court.

"We're not planning to break into the court. We just want to show our support to all the leaders who are still in prison."

ELECTION BY JUNE?

They later moved to the Democracy Monument in the city's old quarter, just over a kilometre (half a mile) from a small, two-week protest held by the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The government agreed to use the ISA following concerns the PAD might try to take over its offices. However, its support appears to be dwindling.

The PAD was once an ally of Abhisit's ruling Democrat Party but has turned against him in the past few months over what they see as his failure to act decisively, in particular over a border dispute with Cambodia.

Four days of clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces erupted on the border early this month.

The "red shirts" are angered by the slow progress of an investigation into last year's violence and they have submitted a petition to the International Criminal Court asking for it to intervene, concerned the inquiry will be a "whitewash.

Abhisit, whose term comes to an end in December, said last week he planned to dissolve parliament and hold elections by June, if the country was peaceful.

Analysts say financial markets would welcome polls which could restore stability in Thailand and its $265 billion economy.

But a big risk is that one or both of the rival main parties rejects the result and turbulence returns, bringing the possibility of more violence or even military intervention.

(Additional reporting by Ploy Ten Kate; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Robert Birsel and Ron Popeski)

Global review: world runs a bit wild

via CAAI

English.news.cn

2011-02-13

BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The past week saw the unpeaceful side of world events, amid a backdrop of general stability.

Catching many by surprise, the first armed clash of substantial scale in 2011 happened near a temple between Cambodia and Thailand -- two ASEAN members, and left at least eight people dead and 67 others injured.

In fact, border dispute between the two countries is nothing new, and the situation would not have run out of control, should the event happen at another time. As pointed out by analysts, the escalation of conflicts this time is connected to the internal situation of the two countries.

Therefore, for the solidarity within the ASEAN and the fundamental interests of the two countries, at present the immediate task is to prevent conflicts from further escalating.

And these two countries are not alone stuck in territorial disputes, the most touchy disputes between countries.

Japan and Russia have been bickering along over the sovereignty of four Pacific islands, which are called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, since Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit there last November, a move termed by Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan as a "outrage".

According to the Japanese media, the two sides continued to lock horns during Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara's two-day visit to Moscow last week, and the tone of the closed-door meeting between Maehara and his Russian counterpart reflected both sides' inherently resolute stance on the issue, and analysts see the impasse as insurmountable.

Nevertheless, the two foreign ministers said that their countries were keen to boost cooperation, and another agenda of Maehara's visit was to boost bilateral trade and energy cooperation, as peace and cooperation remain to be the mainstream of world relations despite the conflicts.

On the Korean peninsular, though the two-day colonel-level military talks held on Feb. 8-9 ended without breakthrough, the fact that the two sides are talking itself means a good beginning, and it is hoped that the two sides could move toward the same direction of maintaining the stability of the Korean Peninsula.

In Sudan, President Omar al-Bashir last week declared acceptance of the final results of south Sudan referendum which supports the region's separation, and said he wanted to be the first to congratulate the south on their new state, which is to be established on July 9, with Juba as its capital.

Now that the north and south separate with grace after two decades of war, and the southerners are jubilant to have their own country at last. However, it remains a great challenge that how the two sides should live and thrive alongside one another.

Also facing with an enormous challenge is the army of Egypt, which just took over power from resigned president Hosni Mubarak and is tasked with maintaining stability and creating a better future for the most populous Arab country.

And the world is watching, especially the people and leaders in the Middle East region which has witnessed two political upheavals recently, and no one is to tell whether the unrest will spread further.

Editor: Deng Shasha

Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute Could Portend Greater Dangers for Asia

via CAAI

Sunday, 13 February 2011 15:09 DAP-NEWS

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 12, Kyodo - Even as much of the world's attention focuses on Tunisia and Egypt in the first weeks of 2011, at least one Asian diplomat believes a new front for global concern is emerging on the Thai-Cambodian border.

The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Kyodo News in Phnom Penh that four days of heavy artillery salvos across the border that left at least ten dead, almost 100 wounded and tens of thousands of civilians displaced early this month may be the heating-up of an emerging U.S.-China rivalry for influence in Southeast Asia, rather than a simple land dispute between neighboring countries.

On the surface, the dispute near the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Preah Vihear Temple that has been festering since July 2008 is a clash of nationalisms exacerbated by Thai internal politics.

But the diplomat suggested the recent clashes are also a sign the United States may be ''stirring the waters'' and taking renewed interest in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

''The United States, in recent years, has come to destabilize ASEAN,'' the diplomat said.

''The U.S. came to divide ASEAN through a new approach by cutting the region apart and that is why the U.S. is choosing close ties with four lower Mekong countries, as well as an expression of interest in the South China Sea and engaging in military exercises in the region.''

''The U.S. war game concerning the border conflict is to put pressure on (Cambodian Prime Minister) Hun Sen, to reduce Hun Sen's power, to get Hun Sen out of China's firm hold and to force him to turn to the U.S. for help rather than just depending on China alone,'' he said.

Partly, it seems, the diplomat's view has been somewhat colored by a recent visit to Cambodia by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who told Cambodian students in November their country's leaders should seek balance in international relations.

''You look for balance. You don't want to get too dependent on any one country. You want to be able to have partnerships that cut across regional

geographic lines,'' she said.

Some, it seems, see her stressing of ''balance'' as having an undertone of pressing Cambodia to become less reliant on China and on ASEAN.

Others suggest the longstanding U.S. relationship with Thailand means it is on one side in the region, China is on the other and ASEAN is being shown to be an ineffectual pawn somewhere in the middle.

Chea Vannath, an independent analyst in Phnom Penh, said the conflict between the two ASEAN members cannot help but have serious impact on the association.

''It shows that ASEAN is not mature enough to solve the issue in a more civilized manner. ASEAN needs to have another principle -- motto -- about the 'ballot' and not the 'bullet.' To put down the gun, take up the Dharma,'' she said.

And Chheang Vannarith, executive director of the Cambodian Institute for International Cooperation, said ASEAN's image has already been damaged

by the border war.

''It demonstrates the limitations of ASEAN in dealing with regional conflict. However, it is also an opportunity for ASEAN to reflect and rethink about creating an effective conflict resolution mechanism which gives a breakthrough for future development.

ASEAN needs to create ASEAN peace keeping forces ready to cooperate with the U.N. and ready to deploy to prevent war and conflict. It is a significant turning point for ASEAN. All ASEAN members should move forward with this,'' he said.

One question is, however, is ASEAN able to act effectively at all with China and the United States somewhere in the shadows?

Several analysts say the dispute is local -- Thailand using Preah Vihear to get voter support, stir up the spirit of nationalism and show off.

Thai military supremacy while Cambodia is showing off an upgraded military able to counter attacks, stirring up solidarity with the ruling party and for the ruling party to be ''recognized as a defender of Cambodian sovereignty and integrity.''

Others, such as the Asian diplomat, see more sinister motives.

The latest armed clashes broke out, essentially, over Chinese New Year and while thousands of U.S. troops are engaged in annual military exercises with the Thai military in some areas a just a few hundred kilometers from the border clash point.

The questions in Phnom Penh at least are whose nose is being tweaked and whose might is being showcased?

Next week, the dispute moves to the U.N. Security Council where both China and the United States hold vetoes.

How those two powers react to the Cambodian desire to have international intervention in its dispute with Thailand may offer some indication of whether the Phnom Penh diplomat's concerns about Chinese-U.S. rivalry emerging in Southeast Asia are prescient, or paranoid.

Their reactions may also offer some indication of how ASEAN will fare Feb. 22 in Jakarta when its foreign ministers meet to discuss the increasingly hostile relations between two of its 10 members.

Hundreds protest market move

via CAAI

Sunday, 13 February 2011 20:59 Mom Kunthear

Hundreds of vendors at Siem Reap’s Phsar Krom market protested on Friday against their impending move to a new private market, where many fear they will be charged steep stall rental prices.

Ros Pisey, a noodle seller from the market, said today that the protesters went to protest at the provincial hall to get answers about a proposed move from Phsar Krom.

“The provincial governor said that all the vendors who are selling at Phsar Krom market have moved into the private market nearby, but they did not inform us about the date yet,” she said.

She said that vendors were surprised by the announcement, saying they feared they would be pressured to do business in the private market.

“They want us to move to the private market so that we will spend more money for renting stalls and we will get pressure from the market owner,” she said.

Ros Pisey said provincial officials told protesters that the new market’s owner would not charge any stall rental prices for four years, but that sellers did not believe the owner, “because they can change their mind every minute, since it is their market”.

Phsar Krom market was founded in 2003 by vendors, who rented the land and built it themselves with the permission of former provincial governor Ong Oeun, who is now the governor of Banteay Meanchey province.

Ros Pisey said, “We won’t move to the new market, even if the authorities force or arrest us or take any measure...we will all come to ask for intervention from Prime Minister Hun Sen to help us, because we consider him like our parents.”

Another vendor, who only gave her name as Nary, said the authorities did not give any more details about the date for the proposed move, nor about their plans for the old market.

She also threatened that protestors were ready to take their grievances to the prime minister.

Tep Bunchhay, the governor of Siem Reap town, said today that officials had informed the vendors about the proposed move to the new market.

“We want them to move to the new market because we want to develop the old market by building a pipe system and a creek to make it look good for the environment,” he said.

He added that the old market has no garbage disposal facilities and insufficient parking space, but that the new market – to be situated about 200 metres away from Phsar Krom – would be better equipped.

“We will pay them for their stalls… but I don’t know how much they will get,” Tep Bunchhay said.