Thursday, April 28, 2011

US urges Thailand, Cambodia to exercise restraint in resolving conflict

BANGKOK, April 28 (MCOT online news) – The United States has urged Thailand and Cambodia to act with restraint in resolving the border dispute through peaceful means and negotiation.

US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Anne Kenney met Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House on Thursday morning.

She said after the meeting that the US will not intervene as the two countries are obliged to hold bilateral talks. The dispute can be handled by existing mechanisms facilitated by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).


The US envoy also called for the two countries to return to the negotiation table.

Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said before leaving to attend the 5th Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting in Indonesia on Thursday that Thailand still adheres to proactive diplomatic approaches in responding to Cambodia.

Mr Kasit was due to meet Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa as Indonesia is ASEAN chair to discuss Thai-Cambodian dispute and progress in drafting agreement on a plan to station Indonesian observers at Thai-Cambodian border.

The Thai foreign minister will also meet Asean Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan.

In other developments, the sound of gunfire was reportedly heard throughout the night Wednesday until dawn Thursday morning at the Thai- Cambodian border in the northeastern province of Surin.

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