Phnom Penh - Cambodia said Wednesday that it was forced to bypass the 10-member Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a mediator in a violent border dispute with neighbouring Thailand because the Thais currently held the chair, making it partial.
At a press conference with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong broadcast on national television, and to which most foreign diplomats to Cambodia were summoned, Hor Namhong again alleged Cambodia was being provoked and said it would seek an impartial international mediator.
'Thailand is the current chair of the ASEAN,' Hor Namhong said, announcing that without drastic changes, Cambodia would go to a higher international body for a resolution because of that.
ASEAN nations rotate the chair annually and Thailand, the current chair, is scheduled to host the bloc's summit in December.
Cambodia last month questioned Thailand's suitablility as chair owing to ongoing political instability and bilateral border tensions.
Hor Namhong also raised the official death toll of Cambodian troops at a border shoot-out earlier in the day to two from just one, and said two Cambodians were also wounded.
'Thailand started (the border dispute). Cambodia will continue it if necessary,' he told journalists. 'Cambodia will continue to use the utmost restraint but reserves the right to self defense.'
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday he would go to war rather than allow what Cambodia believes is sovereign territory and Thailand maintains is disputed to be violated.
Cambodia said Wdnesday's shootout occurred about 2 kilometres away from Phreah Vihear, an 11th Century Hindu temple that has been disputed by the two neighbouring countries for decades.
A similar skirmish occurred at the same site on October 3 that left two Thai soldiers and one Cambodian wounded.
Thai residents along the border have been told to evacuate in case of an escalation in the fighting, according to local media reports, and Cambodian authorities said all local residents had also fled.
Land adjacent to the temple compound, including its main entrance on the Thai side, has been claimed by both countries.
The border conflict was calmed in August when both sides agreed to settle the matter through bilateral talks held by a joint border committee but those talks have since stalled amid Thailand's chaotic domestic political situation.
At a press conference with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong broadcast on national television, and to which most foreign diplomats to Cambodia were summoned, Hor Namhong again alleged Cambodia was being provoked and said it would seek an impartial international mediator.
'Thailand is the current chair of the ASEAN,' Hor Namhong said, announcing that without drastic changes, Cambodia would go to a higher international body for a resolution because of that.
ASEAN nations rotate the chair annually and Thailand, the current chair, is scheduled to host the bloc's summit in December.
Cambodia last month questioned Thailand's suitablility as chair owing to ongoing political instability and bilateral border tensions.
Hor Namhong also raised the official death toll of Cambodian troops at a border shoot-out earlier in the day to two from just one, and said two Cambodians were also wounded.
'Thailand started (the border dispute). Cambodia will continue it if necessary,' he told journalists. 'Cambodia will continue to use the utmost restraint but reserves the right to self defense.'
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday he would go to war rather than allow what Cambodia believes is sovereign territory and Thailand maintains is disputed to be violated.
Cambodia said Wdnesday's shootout occurred about 2 kilometres away from Phreah Vihear, an 11th Century Hindu temple that has been disputed by the two neighbouring countries for decades.
A similar skirmish occurred at the same site on October 3 that left two Thai soldiers and one Cambodian wounded.
Thai residents along the border have been told to evacuate in case of an escalation in the fighting, according to local media reports, and Cambodian authorities said all local residents had also fled.
Land adjacent to the temple compound, including its main entrance on the Thai side, has been claimed by both countries.
The border conflict was calmed in August when both sides agreed to settle the matter through bilateral talks held by a joint border committee but those talks have since stalled amid Thailand's chaotic domestic political situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment