Ismira Lutfia
The Jakarta Globe
Indonesia will send observers to both sides of the disputed Thai-Cambodian border to ensure that a cease-fire agreed by the two countries is respected, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said on Tuesday.
Marty said that the decision was made during a meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat in Jakarta.
Foreign ministers from Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore and Laos attended the meeting, while the other four member states — Burma, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam — were represented by senior officials.
“It is significant that for the first time both countries have agreed to invite a third party as observers,” Marty said after the meeting.
As observers, he added, Indonesian representatives would not be stationed in the buffer zone of the disputed area, rather they would be placed on both sides of the border.
“This decision reflects Asean’s and both countries’ confidence in Indonesia,” Marty said. “It is a mandate that we have to carry out responsibly.”
He added that as an observer, however, Indonesia would have no enforcement capacity to ensure that the cease-fire was not breached.
“We have our mandate as an observer but it is not our responsibility to ensure that the cease-fire is upheld, that is Thailand and Cambodia’s job,” he said.
Although the exact mechanism of the observers’ operations in the region has yet to be specified, Indonesia will soon deploy an advance team to determine what preparations are needed on site.
The team will comprise military officers and representatives of the Foreign Ministry, Marty said.
The observers will report any violations of the peace to Asean, which would then question both countries’ commitment to a peaceful resolution.
Both Cambodia and Thailand are set to agree on Asean chair Indonesia’s engagement in their next bilateral talks, which are expected to be held in Indonesia.
“This is a unique arrangement that we have to be content with,” Marty said, adding that Asean had a role in creating an environment “conducive for negotiations.”
Marty said that the conclusion of the meeting showed that despite existing cynicism, Indonesia could play a role in mediating conflict between Asean member states.
Reading out a joint statement issued by the meeting, Marty said the regional group “welcomes and supports Cambodia and Thailand’s reiteration of their strong commitment to the principles contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the Asean Charter.”
Fighting on both sides of the border near the disputed 11th-century Preah Vihear Hindu temple erupted on Feb. 4. Clashes have killed 11 people and wounded dozens more.
Each side has accused the other of firing first, prompting calls for a third-party observer.
5 comments:
Minister Marty Natalegawa said on Tuesday.
HUN SEN IS NEXT IN LINE TO BE OVERTHROW BY PEOPLE POWER. AFTER THE FALL OF TUNISIA (BEN ALI) EGYPT (HOSNI MUBARACK) AND NOW (MOMA KADAFFI)OF LYBIA.
It would hilarious if the Indonesian troops stationed on each side of the border shot at each other on behalf of the Cambodians and Thais.
Kuoy Pichet
Why do Kos Trol, sea and lands proximately over 10 000 km2 have been lost to Vietnam by who treaty? Why don’t Cambodia goverment transparencies explain to Cambodia army at front line and the whole nation about this? Why don't they include this into education system? Why?
Cambodian armies are fighting at front line for 4.6 km2 and what's about over 10 000km2 of Cambodia to Vietnam. Nobody dare to talk about it! Why? Cambodian armies you are decide the fate of your nation, Cambodian army as well as Cambodian people must rethink about this again and again. Is it fair?
Kos Trol, Sea and lands over 10 000km2 have been lost to Vietnam by who treaty at 1979 to 1985 treaty! Treaty! Cambodian army at front line as well as all Cambodian people must rethink again about these issues. Are Cambodian army fighting to protect the Cambodia Nation or protect a very small group that own big lands, big properties or only protecting a small group rather in the real name of protecting Khmer nation?
Cambodian army at front line suffer under rain, wind, bullets, bombs, lack of foods, lack of nutrition, their families have no health care help, no securities after they die but a very small group eat well, sleep well, sleep in first class hotel with air conditioning with young girls message, have super health care from oversea medical treatment, they are billionaires, millionaires who sell out the country to be rich and make Cambodian people suffer everyday as Cambodian people know already.
Who signed the treaty 1979-1985 that result lost over 10 000 km2 of Cambodia??? Why don't they transparency inform all Cambodian and Cambodian army at front line about these issues? Why don't include Kos Trol (Kos Trol size is bigger than the whole Phom Phen and bigger than Singapoor with heap of great natural resources) in education system in Cambodia.
Look at Hun Sen families, relatives; friends are billionaires, millionaires where do they get the money from if we all just get out of war with empty hands? Hun Sen always say in his speech Cambodia just get up from war, just get up from Zero with empty hands and how come they are billionaires, millionaires but 90% innocent Cambodian people are so poor struggling with living every day.
Smart Khmer girl Ms. Rattana Keo,
Thailand prime minister said,"no third party between Khmer and Thai argument in fighting at Preah Vihear and 4.6 square km2 land.How come the Indonesia come to monitor tensions on
Thai and Cambodia?
Never read Thai lips;she always flip
flopped.The Indonesian representatives will station in both sides.
Wait and see,after the observation.
KHmerization hates people who talk about Kos Trol, sea and lands about 10 000km2 to Vietnam. Khmerization try to silence Ms. Rattana Keo about Kos TRol, sea and land 10 000km2. Khmerization tries to play blame game to Ms. Rattana Keo. Khmerization is killing every Cambodian who talks about Kos Trol. Ms. Rattana Keo keeps talking about Kos Trol, sea and lands over 10 000km2 to Vietnam because No Khmer men dare to speak out about this out loud. They are get into politic and news to serve their own interest in money in every generation of Khmer. Khmerization tries to silence one defend less woman that remind Khmers about Kos Trol, sea and lands over 10 000km2 have been lost to Vietnam injustice to all Cambodian people. Shame on khmerization News! Khmerization only serves their interest in political gain.
All real patriot Khmers die for nothing to serve the optician in every generation. Politian get rich and Khmer people keep suffer every day.
All Cambodian readers beware, I used to be a very big fan that inspired by KI and Khmerization but today I can see their real face and political gain purpose. Beware all Cambodian people! Politian gets rich but Khmer people like you and me are getting suffered every day.
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