UN Security Council To Hold Closed Meeting On Thai-Cambodia Clashes

[webfact]

UN Council to hold closed meeting on Thai-Cambodia clashes

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The UN Security Council will hold a closed meeting Monday on border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia with the foreign ministers from the two nations, diplomats said.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, Cambodia's Hor Namhong and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who has been trying to mediate in the dispute, are expected to speak to the council, diplomats said.

A spokesman for the Brazilian mission, which holds the Security Council presidency for February, said Monday's meeting would be behind closed doors.

Thailand and Cambodia have blamed each other for the clashes around the ancient temple of Preah Vihear, which have left at least eight dead in the past week.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen sought an urgent Security Council meeting and called for a UN buffer force to be put in place. Thailand has said the dispute should sorted out between the two countries.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia on Tuesday again offered new UN help to negotiate a peace deal.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-02-11

[webfact]

Conflict goes international

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Security Council to 'complement' bilateral, Asean efforts to end Thai-Cambodian border clashes

Thai efforts to resolve the boundary conflict with Cambodia bilaterally have failed, with international bodies including the United Nations Security Council and Asean now involved in the matter.

The skirmishes from February 4-7 killed at least eight people, including a Thai civilian, and damaged properties including the World Heritage-listed Preah Vihear Temple.

Unlike in past clashes in 2008 and 2009, the UN Security Council has not been deterred from taking up the issue.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen consistently called for the UN body to convene an urgent meeting to stop "Thailand's aggression". At the same time, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wrote to the UN reiterating Thailand's commitment to end the dispute using a bilateral framework.

Bangkok suggested the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) should resume its work negotiating boundary demarcation by the end of this month, though the exact date has yet to be confirmed. The Cambodians are not likely in the mood to sit down and talk right now.

Hun Sen's strategy to internationalise the issue appears to have worked. The Security Council has requested that its secretariat provide a brief about the situation on Monday and invited Asean chairman Marty Natalegawa, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong to attend.

"The Asean chair's attendance at the UNSC meeting represents an evolution of Asean's efforts to resolve bilateral disputes among its members as provided for by the Asean Charter," the bloc's secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said in a statement yesterday.

"This is particularly important as it will set a precedent for future Asean dispute settlement mechanisms."

The Security Council wants its meeting on Monday to boost and complement regional and bilateral efforts, rather than signal that those efforts have failed in any way, according to a UNSC update report.

"The [uNSC] members expressed support for the mediation efforts undertaken by the chair of Asean, the foreign minister of Indonesia, but expressed willingness to hold a Council meeting pending an assessment of the ongoing regional mediation efforts," the report said.

It remains unclear what the results of the UN meeting will be. Security Council president Maria Luiza Viotti, a Brazilian ambassador, will consult with Kasit and Hor Namhong on the format of the meeting later, the report said.

Hun Sen has asked the UN to send peacekeeping forces to create a buffer zone at the disputed border area adjacent to Preah Vihear, which he claims was damaged by artillery shells from Thailand.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has proposed sending an urgent mission to inspect the temple, but Thailand opposes the visit.

"Concerning the current situation at the border, we believe the Unesco mission now is not appropriate and makes the issue more complicated," said Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi.

If the Unesco mission really wanted to visit the site, it would need permission from the Thai authorities, since it would have to access the temple via land under the sovereignty of Thailand, he said.

The Hindu temple of Preah Vihear, as ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962, is situated on territory under sovereignty of Cambodia, though Thailand has argued that it possesses the surrounding areas.

The temple has been at the core of conflict between the two neighbours since last century. In 2008, tensions rose after Unesco listed the temple as a World Heritage site in the face of Thai disagreement.

Abhisit's government hoped the border skirmish would result in the suspension of the Preah Vihear World Heritage listing.

Thailand's JBC chief, Asda Jayanama, will meet with the director of Unesco in Paris today to explain the Thai position on the temple.

-- The Nation 2011-02-11

[webfact]

Secretary to Foreign Minister: Thailand Wants Peace

The secretary to the Thai foreign minister has made an official statement saying Thailand only wants to restore peace and is not claiming rights over the disputed area.

Secretary to the Foreign Minister, Chavanon Intarakomalyasut, made an official statement saying Thailand has no intention of claiming rights over the disputed area, and that Thailand is only protecting itself from the attacks that Cambodia initiated.

He added that he is disappointed with Cambodia's decision to increase its military presence at the border, as it will only increase tension.

In the meantime, Chavanon said the Thai government will focus on the safety of all citizens and their properties.

Immediate action will be taken to make sure those living in the border areas are affected as little as possible.

Meanwhile, the government will explain the Thai-Cambodia situation and clarify Thailand's stance to the United Nations Security Council on February 14.

The government will firmly stick to the Thai-Cambodia contract of elevating the living standards of the people in both nations.

Lastly, the government asks that all citizens remain calm, so as not to ecalate tension.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-11

[SomTumTiger]

Why isn't the Cambodian FM speaking at the UN. Did i miss that?

[phiphidon]

Secretary to Foreign Minister: Thailand Wants Peace

Secretary to the Foreign Minister, Chavanon Intarakomalyasut, made an official statement saying Thailand has no intention of claiming rights over the disputed area, and that Thailand is only protecting itself from the attacks that Cambodia initiated.

He added that he is disappointed with Cambodia's decision to increase its military presence at the border, as it will only increase tension.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-11

Disappointed he may be with Cambodia but sending 20 -30 (depending on accounts) M60A1 tanks to Kantharlak province under a "territorial defence plan" and having F16 planes flying sorties around the area doesn't exactly decrease tension imho.

[SomTumTiger]

Secretary to Foreign Minister: Thailand Wants Peace

Secretary to the Foreign Minister, Chavanon Intarakomalyasut, made an official statement saying Thailand has no intention of claiming rights over the disputed area, and that Thailand is only protecting itself from the attacks that Cambodia initiated.

He added that he is disappointed with Cambodia's decision to increase its military presence at the border, as it will only increase tension.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-11

Disappointed he may be with Cambodia but sending 20 -30 (depending on accounts) M60A1 tanks to Kantharlak province under a "territorial defence plan" and having F16 planes flying sorties around the area doesn't exactly decrease tension imho.

You sure that opinion is "Humble" lol

[Pi Sek]

^^

He could well have meant "in my honest opinion".

Nonetheless he is spot on, 'opinion' or not - F16s and tanks absolutely do not decrease tension. But the intention of the F16s and tanks is not to decrease tension, it is to defend their territory. If you make the assumption that Cambodia is the aggressor, then this action is 100% warranted. If you don't, it's not.

[jayjay0]

Why isn't the Cambodian FM speaking at the UN. Did i miss that?

Yes

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The UN Security Council will hold a closed meeting Monday on border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia with the foreign ministers from the two nations, diplomats said.:jap:

[WhySoSerious]

Why isn't the Cambodian FM speaking at the UN. Did i miss that?

He is expected to:

"Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, Cambodia's Hor Namhong and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who has been trying to mediate in the dispute, are expected to speak to the council, diplomats said."

Let's hope that sanity prevails.

The leaders of both nations governments and armies should be deeply ashamed of sending their young men to fight and die over such trivial a cause.

[SomTumTiger]

Why isn't the Cambodian FM speaking at the UN. Did i miss that?

He is expected to:

"Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, Cambodia's Hor Namhong and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who has been trying to mediate in the dispute, are expected to speak to the council, diplomats said."

Let's hope that sanity prevails.

The leaders of both nations governments and armies should be deeply ashamed of sending their young men to fight and die over such trivial a cause.

Amen to that. :jap:

[hardy1943]

Why isn't the Cambodian FM speaking at the UN. Did i miss that?

He is expected to:

"Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, Cambodia's Hor Namhong and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who has been trying to mediate in the dispute, are expected to speak to the council, diplomats said."

Let's hope that sanity prevails.

The leaders of both nations governments and armies should be deeply ashamed of sending their young men to fight and die over such trivial a cause.

Amen to that. :jap:

I second that motion!!!

[lovelomsak]

Why isn't the Cambodian FM speaking at the UN. Did i miss that?

He is expected to:

"Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, Cambodia's Hor Namhong and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who has been trying to mediate in the dispute, are expected to speak to the council, diplomats said."

Let's hope that sanity prevails.

The leaders of both nations governments and armies should be deeply ashamed of sending their young men to fight and die over such trivial a cause.

Amen to that. :jap:

+1

[YoghurtLX]

Really great that the UN security council holding a closed meeting about that.

What will happen there ?

China and France sure backup Cambodia while maybe US is to backup Thailand.

In the end nothing will happen there, as same as nothing did happen when Russia invaded Afghanistan or US invaded Irak........just hot air.

At a closer look what really did happen at the border suggests that Cambodia started this thing, exploiting the situation with the PAD at the right time to start a blame game.

1.) Friday right at the start, Cambodian artillery hit civilian targets well in Thai territory.

Not easy to do when you are just defending your self from a surprise attack. Sao Thong Chai is at least 10 Km or ~6 miles away from the Cambodia artillery without visibility. You need someone who has visibility and can direct the fire which means you need to prepare for such an accurate attack first.

2.) Thai military had on Friday until the first shooting no movement of vehicles. The villagers would have noticed that easily.

3.) After Friday, Thai military is calling in more Tanks and Troops, also preparing F-16 to be ready.

4.) Only two days after the PAD called for some action about the border and the Temple area the shooting starts. Who believes that the PAD has that much to say and that PM Abhisit follows that quickly what PAD is suggesting ?

What's the gain for Cambodia ?

First they claim on more sites that land belongs to them, not only in the Temple area. The site where the seven Thai's where arrested is one of them.

They where arrested at what Thai's call "there territory" but Cambodia claims it belongs to them and thats why not only civilians had lately problems there, also the seven Thai's where arrested.

Explains the phone call where they saying there "are" on Cambodian site now. There where on land that Cambodia claims.

Pretty naive to do this without military or Police protection, but would you think to be arrested when you investigate what is happen there and why civilians are forced from there fields ?

Thailand wasn't expecting troubles there, thats a reason why they acted in that way.

Now since we know they claim more land and nothing will happen there since the Thai doesn't have much speed in that case. the Cambodians have to do something.

Hun Sen must also show that he is someone who get things done and nothing better than this case.

So, they tarted troubles at some areas which leads than to the visit and arrest from the seven Thai's.

Now they have also 2 PAD activists in there hands and some others, so let's provoke the PAD and give the activists a long jail term while the five others going free.

Sure the PAD is now acting and like to see some action, which is great because now Camodia can start shooting at the Temple, blame PM Abhisit and the PAD as aggressor, bring the thing to the UN and let the old maps which Thailand never accepted rule about the border once and for all.

This may includes that they can force now tho have all border problems solved at once as long they have strong help at the UN which you can expect.

You see there is a strong motive for Cambodia to start that thing while Thailand has absolutely no interest to do there anything, but is now forced to do something which can't be much when you see who is holding hand with Cambodia and sitting permanently in the UN.

[Rinrada]

"Gawd" forsaken place ......

about 20 years ago me and my guys got stuck up there in TB Meanchey and took us 3 days to get out.

Managed to get round most of "Kampuchea" that year but said area although not far from the T border seemed to me to be the most isolated place in the whole country.

Even Rattana and Mondulkiri provinces seemed quite nice in comparison.

Like most of the temples at that time they were all overgrowm and couldnt see much but what you could were still impressive and spent many a night in them...and never went without a beer

The wee men with the dunlop sandles were about but generally no problem.....all fun...

I recon it belongs to Cambodia but maybe a share deal would be more "civilised".

[phiphidon]

Secretary to Foreign Minister: Thailand Wants Peace

Secretary to the Foreign Minister, Chavanon Intarakomalyasut, made an official statement saying Thailand has no intention of claiming rights over the disputed area, and that Thailand is only protecting itself from the attacks that Cambodia initiated.

He added that he is disappointed with Cambodia's decision to increase its military presence at the border, as it will only increase tension.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-11

Disappointed he may be with Cambodia but sending 20 -30 (depending on accounts) M60A1 tanks to Kantharlak province under a "territorial defence plan" and having F16 planes flying sorties around the area doesn't exactly decrease tension imho.

You sure that opinion is "Humble" lol

Yes I am sure that my opinion is neither proud nor arrogant. Just a simple statement that neither "side" are helping to lower "tension" by the buildup of troop/materiel on the border . Unfortunately the next phase could be that wonderful euphemism (wonderful in the sense of the understatement in the phrase, not the true meaning of it) of "mission creep".