A Change of Guard

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Thursday 12 May 2011

Malaysia adopts cautious stance over conflict


KL adopts cautious stance over conflict

Writer: Wassana Nanuam and Nopparat Kingkaew
Published: 12/05/2011
Bangkok Post

Malaysia has adopted a cautious stance over the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, choosing to reserve further comment on the dispute amid the diplomatic and military tension between the two countries.

In a meeting between Malaysian army chief Datuk Zulkifeli Mohd Zin (pictured) and Thai army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday, Gen Zulkifeli "gave no opinions" on the issue, Gen Prayuth said yesterday.

Gen Zulkifeli said he respects the decisions of both Thailand and Cambodia and that the problem would be solved mainly through bilateral talks as "Asean cannot force them to act" on the dispute, Gen Prayuth quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's charge d'affaires to Thailand described a remark made yesterday by Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Richard Riot Jaem as "a misunderstanding".

The Malaysian deputy minister accused Thailand in his comments to the media of reneging on its promise to accept Indonesian observers to monitor a ceasefire in the 4.6-square-kilometre area near the Preah Vihear temple on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Thailand has insisted Phnom Penh must withdraw its troops from the disputed area so that the so-called "package solution", including the deployment of an Indonesian monitoring team, will be translated into action.

Indonesia, this year's chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), has stepped in to broker talks between Phnom Penh and Bangkok following a series of border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops since late February.

Although cross-border shelling has stopped over the past nine days, Thailand and Cambodia have retained their forces along the disputed border area.

Fears of renewed fighting have kept villagers and tourists away from popular border spots including a market at Chong Jom border pass in Surin's Kap Choeng district.

Ni, a Cambodian trader, said she has been unable to make any money after the fighting forced the closure of the market in late April.

Although the market was reopened last week, the presence of soldiers in the area has driven away potential customers, she said.

"I want the two countries to love each other," she said. "Why not speed up talks and withdraw the soldiers?".

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thailand is not only threatening Cambodia, but also threatening other countries nearby.
Malaysia is like other countries knows the root of the problem clearly, but They cannot help.
Maybe, Thailand wants to declare itself as the superpower in ASEAN?

Anonymous said...

Records:
During only four months, Thailand threatens three countries already.
Those of them are Lao, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
So, what country next?
I guess Philippine, but Thailand still don't dare to threaten Vietnam.
Let see, Thailand dare to threaten Vietnam or China?

Even though the US ambassador called for Thailand to seize fire and joint bilateral talk as Indonesia is a arbitrator. But, Still it did not take it shit listen to the US.
Now, if let this cruel and devil government stays in Thailand for more period of time, Not long Thailand will become in pieces.
Even its own majority of people do not agree with this stupid war mechanism.

Anonymous said...

Yes keep this current leaders longer and let the choas go farther in thai. He think this can unite them but it actully the opposite and any farther it will spread all over southeast Asia. Time for the thai to go. While all the neighbor try to get away from war and work on economy. The thai think he is stronger. Keep going thai... Your blooded king is gone soon and next there is no one to babysit you!!

Anonymous said...

I applaud Malaysian Chief Arm Gen. Datuk Zalkifeli Mohd Zin for being outspoken on the issue of border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand. Most ASEAN member states and their importants people choose to be silent. This Malaysian general see Thailand's aggression toward Cambodia as a prelude that could lead to something bigger which could create instability in the region. I hate to think up scenerios but Thailand had much bad history with its neigbors. If worse come to worst, the uprising of Muslim Malay/Thai in the 3 provinces of south Thailand could spillover into border conflict with Malaysia and Thailand, the credibility of unity for ASEAN will be jeapodize. This is a courageous act by Gen. Datuk Zulkifeli Mohd Zin to save ASEAN face. Other important people within the ASEAN organzation need to speak up. Today Thailand aggression is Cambodia, who's the next on the list of Thailand's neighbors?