Tuesday, February 15, 2011

UN Security Council withholds direct involvement in temple conflict

Feb 14, 2011
By JT Nguyen
DPA

New York - The UN Security Council on Monday asked South- East Asian nations to work out a solution to the Thai-Cambodian conflict over the site of a centuries-old Hindu temple, in an apparent rebuff of demands for the UN to become directly involved.

The council gave support to 'active efforts' of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has scheduled a ministerial meeting later this month in Jakarta to seek a settlement, including a permanent ceasefire along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Some Security Council members had considered fresh Thai-Cambodian fighting near the 1,000-year-old Hindu Preah Vihear Temple a matter between the two countries and not an issue of international peace and security requiring its intervention. Both Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers, who appeared before the council in New York, agreed that ASEAN is the third party to mediate the conflict.


'The members of the UN Security Council expressed their grave concern about the recent armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand,' Brazilian Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, the council president, said in a statement following the meeting.

Viotti said the council called on both sides to exercise 'maximum restraint and avoid any action that may aggravate the situation.'

'The members of the Security Council further urged the parties to establish a permanent ceasefire and to implement it fully and resolve the situation peacefully and through effective dialogue,' Viotti said.

She told reporters that the council meeting was aimed at supporting 'bilateral and regional mediation efforts' rather than involving the council in the conflict resolution.

'The idea is to work in synergy with regional efforts, and right now regional effort is in full force,' Viotti said.

She noted that Thai and Cambodian officials each showed maps to the council to defend their cases and the geographical circumstances that had led to the fighting.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters that the council meeting gave him 'much more optimism' than before he came to New York.

He said both Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong had 'loudly and clearly' voiced support for dialogue and a peaceful resolution during the closed-door meeting.

Natalegawa said there was 'clear support' by council members and the two parties for dialogue, a permanent ceasefire and the ASEAN role in the conflict. He said currently the ceasefire is holding.

'The issue here is to extract a clear commitment from Thailand and Cambodia for a peaceful resolution,' Natalegawa said, indicating that the ASEAN meeting would put pressure on the two countries to accept a resolution. He said Kasit and Hor had 'professed peaceful intent' before the council and that Jakarta should 'flesh it out.'

Kasit told reporters at UN headquarters that his country and Cambodia have 'so much in common' that they should resolve the conflict and move on. Thailand has provided development assistance to Cambodia and will continue to do so, he said.

'We did not shoot first - we responded,' Kasit said.

He denied that Thai troops had used cluster bombs against Cambodia.

But Hor Namhong accused Thailand of 'aggression,' saying that military experts had evidence that cluster munitions were used, in violation of an international convention banning the practise.

Hor, who last week sent a letter demanding Security Council intervention in the fighting, said after the meeting that ASEAN will be the third-party mediator in the conflict.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated the Preah Vihear Temple a World Heritage site in 2008. The bone of contention remains the 4.6-square-kilometre plot of land near the site, which is claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but said nothing about the land. UNESCO's decision to give international status to the temple in 2008 fueled the dispute between the two countries.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even UN is curropt due to Thai lobbying, money talk, BS walk.

Anonymous said...

UNSC withholds direct involvement is more of saving ASEAN credibility. Let see how effective and credible of ASEAN body in dealing with this event.

Anonymous said...

More war will begin as UN does not care, let Asean handle this situation. Give me a break!

Anonymous said...

I BET YOU BOTH COUNTRY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ASEAN. THE WAR WILL BE ERUPTED ANYTIME SOON

Anonymous said...

*Don't say for nothing.This is a First solution.Hun sen can spend Money too.But that case not easy.The Best way if UN not Fair...we need to fighting...lost or Win...Talk later...and KHMER PM May order to KHMER SOLDIERS MISSION FOR PEACE....BACK HOME.
*We need some U.N PEACE TROOPS mission in Preah vihear Temple.
*who shooting first???...what UN doing if they found, Thai Military using illegal Bomb?.
*UN ORDER don't have a full power 100%...we need UN officials mission in WAR clashed Place .This is a FAIR and good respect from us.
KHMER DAI

Timothy Chhim said...

Can Cambodia trust ASEAN?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. These countries are well known to have closer relationship with the West and economically stable. Thailand is one of the senior countries and is one of the so-called “Founding Fathers” of ASEAN.

Later on ASEAN membership has expanded to include Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. These countries are well known as communistic, dictatorship and are closer to China than to the West.

Cambodia is the youngest or newest member of all. It was accepted by ASEAN on April 30, 1999. I am not sure in what class Cambodia is categorized, but if Thailand is one of the “Founding Fathers” then Cambodia is only the newest “kid” on the block.

Can Cambodia trust ASEAN?

ASEAN aims include the “acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the protection of the peace and stability of the region, and to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.” The following is ASEAN’s Anthem:

The ASEAN Way

Raise our flag high, sky high
Embrace the pride in our heart
ASEAN we are bonded as one
Look-in out-ward to the world.
For peace, our goal from the very start
And prosperity to last.
We dare to dream we care to share.
Together for ASEAN
we dare to dream,
we care to share for it's the way of ASEAN!

Obviously, the recent fighting or the border war between an aggressive Founding Farther and a new kid on the block proves that ASEAN cannot handle its own problems. ASEAN’s motto: "One Vision, One Identity, One Community" or "10 countries, 1 identity” and the Southeast Asian Anthem (written and composed by the Thai) are humiliations to all members of ASEAN for they contradict such current actions taken by Thailand toward Cambodia.

Cambodia may have to think twice to let ASEAN handle its national issues because it appears that what Thailand says and does are two different things. The United Nations is the best organization to help solve Cambodia’s problems against Thailand. Bilateral talk or multilateral talk with ASEAN’s involvement will give Thailand the upper hand.

Anonymous said...

*I guested KHMER MILITARY 100% not shooting First.
*But Thai can SWEAR WITH all GOD???ABOUT WHO SHOOTING FIRST???.
*LIGHTNING WILL HIT THAI SOLDIERS IN RAINING SEASON SOON.
Teavda Reak sa PREAH VIHEAR .

Anonymous said...

Lost of several lives and injured many including the damage of temple. The result: no resolution from UN.

Anonymous said...

*THE ASEAN thinking about business only.They dont have forces to observe and dont have nothing.
*ASEAN not the same EUROPE or UN.
*yes the war will Appear again when no UN PEACE officials Mission in Preah vihear Temple.
*Thai and Cambodia will run away from ASEAN meeting ROOM soon.
HORA TEIP 2-22-11

Anonymous said...

*UNITED NATION was have a BIG MISTAKE with CAMBODIANS PEOPLE since year 1975.A 3 Millions Khmer civilians lives lost in communist regime.
*Right now.....UN not interest about KHMER and Thai CIVILIANS LIVES lost in New war near Preah vihear Temple .
*UN is so weakness....and real sick with racism influences.[ True or not True this is my observation].
UN OBSERVER

Anonymous said...

I personally think that it was not a failure for cambodia but rather a success! In diplomacy one need sometime to put the bar higher so that we can have an acceptable fall back position. Thailand categoricaly opposed third party involvement or mediation! Cambodian said she wanted a third party either Asean OR Un. Now we managed to bring it to the attention of the UN, (which is something Thai did not want) and even if UN sent it back to Asean (that was predictable because UN would never dare to upset a regional organization), they nevertheless tacitely engaged UN resposibility to monitor the situation and act if ASEAN fails. I think we can say we scored one point against Thailand whatever they will present it. Let prepare now for ASEAN talks and UNESCO management plan. On the military front I will not be surprised if Thai will attempt another armed provocation and try to get the upper hand on the ground to compensate their diplomatic failure.

Anonymous said...

*We Need some UN Peace Officials Mission in Preah Vihear now.
*Not Much Money to spend for UN.
*Please wake up UNITED NATION.
*Your Solution is not strong Enough.
THANKS

Anonymous said...

If there are more death in the future clashes, i don't blame Thailand, I will blame YOU, Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil!!! Where is the love on the love's day? everybody knows Thailand is one of the powerful members in ASEAN. If they say False, no country in ASEAN dare to raise hand and say True. It's a fact! ask those who has attended ASEAN submit.

Anonymous said...

Thailand wants to show ASEAN they're the only big brother and rich nation in the region and would not listen to Indonesia the Muslim. Look at the Cobra military drill. They lost two jets. That is a multi million dollars/piece. No big deal to them. Cambodia better watch out. The thief is ready to take the law into their own hands and the UN without the USA means United of Nothing in resolving the conflict.

Anonymous said...

UN must condemn the THAI!

Anonymous said...

Should ASEAN not being fair to Cambodia we will bring the case to the United Nations again.

Remember, there will be nothing to do with join management or any kind of involvement from the Thai counter part going into the future. It must be clear about which territory belong to us as supposed to the map that both countries recognized and internationally recognized.

We learned very well with the Thai. What they have just done to us has proven exactly of what our ancestors has been saying before. This race is the race of thieves... and it is very true.

Anonymous said...

Preah Vihear is our - and nobody in the international community seems to dispute this fact according to the media. Now Thailand is officialy only disputing the so-called overlaping 4,6 sq/km but secretely hope to claim Preah Vihear in the future. What if we propose to get Thai for once and for all to accept that the Temple is Cambodian with sole management by us and the so-called disputed area of 4,6 sq/km is TEMPORARELY join-managed while the demarcation is completed under the watch of ASEAN or together with UN observors?
Thailand will probably refuse but it will demontrate their bad fate and ill attention in the international arena.

Anonymous said...

UN must urge only Thai to stop invande Cambodia and everything will be normally. Also the USA must stop immediately to help Thai military.

Anonymous said...

Don't rely on the UN or the Asean because they never do much more than saying peaceful resolution. Look around the world there have been more people dead each day for decades? What the UN has done and take years to address after million people have died.

Look at Cambodia during the Khmer rouge regime and Vietnam invasion of cambodia It took nearly 20 years to send peace keeping forces.

Thailand can invade Cambodia in days.

Best is to fight again with thailnad at the international court of justice.

In a worse scenario is to join with china and Vietnam Plus Burma then declare war with Thailand

Anonymous said...

*THE UNITED NATION always SLOW reaction with KHMER NATION.
-1975 slow motion and let COMMUNIST kills a lot KHMER people [almost 2 or 3 Millions in Pol pot regime].
-1979 slow Motion and let THAI SOLDIERS kills Khmer civilians peoples in Phnom dang Raik [About 100000 families].
-Feb-4-7-11.....Feb-14-11 United Nation SLOW MOTION again.
-How Many KHMER LIVES more they want to decrease??.
UN OBSERVER

Anonymous said...

And also Viet invader on January 7, 1979.

Anonymous said...

UN or American never care about Cambodia coutry,if they care they didn't let Khmer rouge killed Cambodian people.So don't believe them just believe who helping Cambodian during pol pot took over.

Anonymous said...

*Since April-17-75 the KHMER LON NOL TEAMS [included khmer PM Long Boreth,Hang Thoun hakk,Lon non teams] got kills by KHMER ROUGE COMMUNIST under name:USA ROBOTS].
*Until now U.S GOVT never Spend Money for any LAW FIRMS to representative for all U.S.A ROBOTS Teams [Long Boret,Lon non,King si so watt sari mattak Teams] in KHMER ROUGE TRIAL. NOTHING.They are Dead for ZERO and CHEAP than US ANIMALS [ USA Dogs,cats,Horses etc....].
UN=USA

Anonymous said...

*ABOUT WHO HELPING CAMBODIA ON Jan-7-79...is different story.
*They can LIED to 2 or 3 years old kids only.
*Don't be stupid if you are not insane or ignorance guy.
UN=USA

Anonymous said...

you see UN won't touch because Hun
Sen never listen to UN when you get problem come to UN and East side YOUN take a lot of land
Hun Sen Never said of word.
WHAT YOU DONE NOW YOU GET IT.
good luck Dek cho and you ask war
Thai will give war soon

Anonymous said...

As I predicted. Cambodia must prepare for a long war. The UN only act after blood flows like a river they don't act to prevent it from happening....this is the tragic thing about the UN. Now the Thais know that the International Community doesn't want to get involved they (Thais) can continue on with their ambitions, ie getting PV. Hoping on ASEAN? useless as useual.....a paper tiger.

Anonymous said...

Before you trust other, you first trusted yourself.

Anonymous said...

What is UN the law for ??? when you use a prohibited weapons such as the cluster bombs and the UN did Shit all. So why stop the Iranian making the nuclear bomb when the UN could not even stop the cluster bomb from the Thai.

I think the UN should look at its roll again and make sure that the use of the band weapons such as cluster bombs should be responsible and charge with war crime. That is if the UN wants every countries to take it seriously, other wise there will be no respect for the UN .

Anonymous said...

AH CHAU AND ALL AH CPP+AH SDACH CHHKOUT HAS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOST OF LIFE AND KHMER LAND.

Anonymous said...

Cluster bombs user should be charge with war crime.

UN have the roll and responsibility to stop the use such lethal weapons.

UN should investigate and charge those who responsible for the use of such weapons.

Anonymous said...

Before you trust other, you first trusted yourself.

BUT Hun Sen the great liar can be trust ???

The problem is enhanced to be WAR by Hun Sen and his son only... Villager of both country don't want.
and who use cluster bombs. If the others can proof that there're only in Cambodia ?
News by Hun Sen's daughter is lying! Who can we trust?

I trust myself don't listen the news in Cambodia. Almost news are making news.