Peace talks end in stalemate?: Thailand and Cambodia cannot agree on how to resolve dispute

THAILAND yesterday rejected a Cambodian request to allow Asean to mediate in their simmering border dispute that has led to hundreds of troops from both sides being stationed around the ruins of the Preah Vihear temple.

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The dispute was raised during an unscheduled lunch meeting of 10 Asean foreign ministers who were in Singapore for their annual talks.

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The lunch talks came a day after senior Cambodian and Thai defence officials ended eight hours of negotiations with no resolution.

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“Cambodia wants it resolved through Asean but the Thai side wants it resolved bilaterally,” one diplomat told AFP.

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Apart from wanting the United Nations’ Security Council to intervene, Cambodia yesterday also asked Asean to set up a “contact group” to resolve the dispute. Thailand disagreed and the plan was abandoned.

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:Said Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo in a statement yesterday: “The proposal found favour with a number of foreign ministers. But there was also a general view that the bilateral process should be allowed to continue, and there is still no consensus for the formation of such a group.”

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“Thailand and Cambodia gave the assurance that they would exercise utmost restraint and resolve the issue amicably in the spirit of Asean solidarity and good neighbourliness,” said Gen Boonsrang, who led the talks with Cambodia on Monday. “Better that than elevating it to Asean or the UN.”

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Despite Thailand’s objections to regional involvement, the US ambassador to Cambodia, Mr Joseph Mussomeli, told reporters that Asean should play a role in ending the dispute. “I’m not aware of what the solution will be, but it should be done in the Asean context,” he added.

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Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the border appeared relaxed yesterday, with both governments having ordered their troops not to fire their guns.

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Opposing soldiers mingled casually. Some were lying in hammocks, while others sat on rocks swinging their legs with their weapons on their laps or on the ground near them, reported Associated Press. “Nothing has changed. We have received orders to continue maintaining peace” after the Monday talks failed, Cambodian Brigadier-General Chea Keo said yesterday.

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