Cambodia Disappointed With Thailand in Border Row

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, right, talking with Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong during their meeting at the State Palace in Bogor on Friday. Hor Namhong on Saturday expressed disappointment over Thailand’s refusal to send Indonesian military observers to the disputed Thai-Cambodia border. (AFP Photo)

April 09, 2011
Source: AFP

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Saturday expressed disappointment over Thailand’s refusal to send Indonesian military observers to the disputed Thai-Cambodia border.

“If Thailand wishes really to have a ceasefire at the border, why should they hesitate to receive Indonesian observers,” he told reporters in Jakarta ahead of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meeting on the relief response to tsunami-ravaged Japan.

“Every time there’s an armed clash, they always accuse Cambodia of starting the fighting. In such a case, why don’t they accept [the] role of Indonesia as mediator?” he added.

At an Asean meeting in February, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to accept Indonesian observers to a flashpoint section of the border where heavy fighting erupted the same month.

But Thailand’s military in March said the observers were not wanted in the disputed area near an 11th-century temple because it was too dangerous and they would only complicate matters.

Hor Namhong said Thailand ought to respect Indonesia’s role in the border negotiations as Jakarta had received the UN Security Council’s support.

“We have to respect the Asean chair’s role in the negotiation. Indonesia as a chair has received the mandate from the UN Security Council,” he said.

“I never can be optimistic with Thailand, it’s very difficult to deal with them... I always trust Indonesia,” he added.

A two-day border meeting of senior officials from the two countries held in Bogor, West Java province, this week ended without resolution.

“The border issue is very complex. The discussion process cannot possibly be solved in just one meeting,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters on Friday.

Thailand and Cambodia have each accused the other of starting the border clashes, which erupted around the ancient Hindu temple of Preah Vihear.


Agence France-Presse