Tuesday, April 26, 2011

US ‘deeply concerned’ over Thailand-Cambodia border clashes

Washington, April 26 (IANS) The US remains ‘deeply concerned’ about the clashes between security forces along the Thailand-Cambodia border, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said.

‘We strongly urge both sides to exercise restraint, refrain from provocative acts, and immediately take all necessary steps to reduce tensions and avoid further conflict,’ Xinhua quoted Clinton as saying in a statement Monday.

Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire in a disputed border area near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple for the fourth consecutive day Monday.

The fresh clashes came after a four-day conflict in February resulted in at least 10 deaths of soldiers on both sides.

Clinton expressed her support for the efforts of Indonesia in its role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to work with both countries to reach a resolution, saying the US is also engaging with Thai and Cambodian officials directly on this matter.

Clinton said the US continues to urge both countries to resolve their disputes peacefully to ‘help strengthen regional stability’, adding that the loss of life, displacement of civilians and damage to property are ‘regrettable’.

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