"We have suggested that the troops should not stay close to each other. I'm not aware of what the solution will be, but it should be done in the ASEAN context," Mussomeli, US Ambassador to CambodiaPREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AFP) — Cambodian premier Hun Sen on Tuesday accused Thailand of unwarranted aggression by moving troops into a patch of disputed territory, warning the action threatens peace in the region.
His comments in a letter to the UN cultural agency UNESCO came after two days of diplomacy failed to make any headway in resolving the weeklong military standoff centred on the ruins of a Hindu temple overlooking Cambodia's jungle.
The tensions began after UNESCO early this month awarded World Heritage status to the Preah Vihear temple, considered the finest example of ancient Khmer architecture after the famous Angkor Wat complex.
The UN recognition infuriated Thai nationalists, and now more than 500 Thai troops are facing off against at least 1,000 Cambodian soldiers over a tiny area of land near the temple.
"Thai behaviour gravely threatens peace and stability in the region," Hun Sen said in the letter, accusing Thailand of "defying all principles of international law."
Crisis talks among Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Singapore failed to make any headway, diplomats there said, one day after senior Cambodian and Thai defence officials ended eight hours of negotiations with no resolution.
The troops are deployed around a small Buddhist pagoda in about five square kilometres (two square miles) of disputed territory.
Cambodia's foreign ministry said Tuesday that "in order to avoid armed confrontation," the country would ask for "an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to find a solution to the problem."
"We need a third party to solve this problem," Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP.
Thailand however does not want foreign mediators involved in the dispute, said the head of the armed forces, General Boonsrang Niumpradit.
"The dispute should be discussed between the two countries," said Boonsrang, who led the talks with Cambodia on Monday. "Better that than elevating it to ASEAN or the UN."
However, foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held an unscheduled lunch meeting on the dispute during their annual talks in Singapore.
"Cambodia wants it resolved through ASEAN but the Thai side wants it resolved bilaterally," one diplomat told AFP.
When asked if any progress had been made towards a resolution he replied: "Nothing".
Despite Thai objections to regional involvement, the US ambassador to Cambodia, Joseph Mussomeli, told reporters that ASEAN should play a role in ending the dispute.
"We have suggested that the troops should not stay close to each other. I'm not aware of what the solution will be, but it should be done in the ASEAN context," Mussomeli said.
The World Court ruled in 1962 that the 11th century Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. But the easiest entrance lies in Thailand, and a section of the surrounding land remains in dispute.
The situation boiled over after three Thai protesters were arrested last week for jumping a barbed-wire fence to reach the temple, prompting armed troops to head to the border.
Cambodian military officials said Tuesday they were not surprised that talks had failed to find a resolution.
"We expected this result weeks ago. We will try to be more patient," said Brigadier Chea Keo, commander of Cambodian forces in the area.
Both governments have ordered troops not to fire their weapons and pledged to find a peaceful solution. UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday expressed concern about escalating tension, calling for "restraint on both sides."
16 comments:
There is no ASEAN solution. The group is weak and can never resolve hot regional conflict.
Mussomeli is very insensitive toward Cambodia. He does not work in Cambodia interest. Last time he make statement that Cambodia is loosing here territory is becuase we're weaker than our neighbors and it's normal because we are weak. What he is saying is that if you're weak, you can be taking advanatge of without any consequence. So when Cambodia become strong again that we can start a war and reclaim our lost territories for the past couple hundred years? Where is the rule of law then? When it comes to territorial integrity, there should only be one international law that apply to all. There is no ASEAN soltuion because there too many confliting interest within the members to become a more affective organization.
1:58 AM
Would you think the Vietnamese would let the Thai threat or damage their economic interests.
I'm certain that the Chinese would also like to join in the party, too.
Of course, after the war, we can share Thailand. Perhaps the Malasia can join in, too, from the Sout, and they can have half of the gulf of Thailand.
I call this a pragmatic approach; it's a win-win situation.
Again, welcome to the party.
Cheers
Mr. Ambassador, with all due respect, as soon as these soldiers are apart from each other, that's when the bullets start flying.
Mr. Ambassador, I thought you already had your replacement. Your time is up.
Let see if you can come up with a resolute idea to end the looming bloodshed, and then you won't leave your legacy as a man of failure.
I think now is the time for the woman take your place.
Farewell!
Do not trust the bush administration. the usa only help you if you paid them well. never trust oncle sam. we khmer shall go our own way, but making sure the china goes along the way with us.
Leave our ambassador and our country alone motherfuckers.Just mind your own business, and your business is your country has been invaded by your neighbor .Don't deviate from that.
4:43 AM
Fuck your wife too.
You fucking shit.
4:49am
Fuck your mother,fuck your daughter and fuck yourself.Watch out boy !your brain need to be blown out.
The context of ASEAN is non-interference.
Without ASEAN backing, Cambodia will certainly be doomed.
5:19 AM
What are you going to do with me or the rest of Khmer?
You and you people are certainly do not want to embroil yourself into another unnecessary conflict, and therefore, keep the fuck out, fucker and to your wife, too, fucker.
What a fucking pathetic shit head like yourself. You and you people ought to be abashed of yourself.
And, again, fuck you and to your wife, too.
Now, go fuck yourself off.
5:19 AM
Yet another fucking loser. You should be in Iraq.
You're nothing, but a bunch of fucking whinner; yes, that's what a rubbish you are.
Now, get the fuck out of my sight, boy!
11:47am and 1:08pm i'm after you now .
1:56 PM
Are you fucking threatening me, asshole?
If you're a G-man, I will let your boss know about your demeaner.
What a fucking pathetic asshole like doing in Cambodia?
Yes, you're fucking squandering the taxpayer dollar, dumb fuck.
1:56 PM
If you're a G-man, I had been to Cleveland OH and sat on the hot seat (if you get the point). Oh, I have also stayed at the Ritz Carlton, too.
I think you need to persuade your supervisor to come after me for your ignorance and dumb fucked brain.
Again, go and fuck yourself!
1:56 PM
Don't fucking beat the grass and startle the snake, fucker!
I will have you removed from your position.
When John McCain takes his presidency in January, Mr. Si Chan Siv will receive appointment from the president to be the next US Ambassador to Cambodia.
Good luck!
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