Wage peace 'like we wage war'

Asean chair confident of solving border row

22/02/2011
Pichai Chuensuksawadi
Bangkok Post

JAKARTA : Asean chairman and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa believes in adopting an incremental and step-by-step approach to help Thailand and Cambodia move towards a peaceful resolution to their border dispute.

"I don't think it is impossible to find a solution," he told the Bangkok Post in an exclusive interview on the eve of the informal Asean foreign ministers meeting here today.

Indonesia also stands ready to send observers to either side of the disputed border area.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Sunday Thailand would ask Indonesia to send representatives to observe the operations of Thai soldiers.

The observers would stay with Thai soldiers on the Thai side of the border. Cambodia has asked for Asean observers.

See also: Thais sceptical over truce with Cambodia

Mr Marty met his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, and Mr Kasit after they arrived in the Indonesian capital last night.

The Indonesian foreign minister said he aimed to create a comfortable atmosphere for both sides and wants to facilitate conditions for the two countries to resolve their differences.

"I am not pessimistic," he said.

He said the decision by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) urging Thailand and Cambodia to sort out their problems peacefully and to seek Asean assistance was a reality check for all sides, even Asean.

Mr Marty said meetings with his Cambodian and Thai counterparts on Feb 7 and Feb 8, respectively, helped the situation.

He believes that had the meetings not taken place prior to the UNSC talks, "we would be in a situation of being told what to do".

The Indonesian foreign minister said although the UNSC had set no deadlines as to when progress needed to be made, "I am keen to report to the UNSC earlier rather than later. I am talking weeks, not months".

Mr Marty said he has been in constant contact with Hor Namhong and Mr Kasit and was aware of the spectrum of views.

"I don't think it is impossible to find a solution," he said, adding that Indonesia stood ready to be part of any modality that leads to a resolution.

He pointed out that Indonesia was not shy to ask for Asean assistance.

"As a country, we are open enough to ask for help from our friends," he said, referring to the time Thailand was asked for assistance when Indonesia faced problems with separatist movements in East Timor and Aceh.

The Asean chair said that the more substantive issue for today's meeting was the negotiation process.

"I don't think Thailand is averse to having Indonesia involved if we proceed incrementally, step by step.

"We are aware of the sensitivities," he said.

In his letter inviting the Asean foreign ministers to the urgent meeting today, Mr Marty referred to the need for a higher commitment to the ceasefire and the possibility of enhanced communications between Thailand and Cambodia to prevent the outbreak of fresh incidents.

He said Asean could be an intermediary in such communications and that today's talks would touch on this issue as well.

Mr Marty indicated he was aware that Cambodia wished to have a ceasefire formalised at the Asean foreign ministers' meeting, but would sooner see evidence of a genuine commitment rather than the mere signing of documents.

"The region is under the spotlight and there are positive expectations internationally. We have to wage peace like we wage war," he said, adding that a solution was not easy as both countries had their own dynamics.

Mr Marty said he understood that the dispute must be solved bilaterally and peacefully, "but I want to tell my colleagues, use Asean".

He added: "Asean is not the panacea, but we can create conditions that can help solve the problem.

"We need to proceed quickly and nip this at the bud."

Mr Marty said that while he remained focused on the key issues for today's meeting, "I am already looking ahead past tomorrow".

"The solution does not have to be either/or, but can be bilateral, regional or global, all working and complementing each other."

Meanwhile, Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said yesterday today's meeting was a reminder of Asean's past achievements.

"We have reasons to be optimistic," he said, noting that member states assisted in the restoration of law and order in East Timor when the people fought for independence from Indonesia in 1999, and helped Burma to open up for international assistance after the devastation of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008.