Ceasefire Agreed After Thai And Cambodian Military Commanders Meet : Source

[webfact]

THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER DISPUTES

Ceasefire agreed after military commanders meet : source

Phnom Penh - A senior Cambodian military source said Thursday that Thai and Cambodian military commanders agreed a ceasefire during a morning meeting.

The source, who asked not to be named, told the German Press Agency dpa that General Chea Morn, who commands the armed forces in the Cambodian military's Region 4, had agreed the ceasefire with a Thai general.

"The meeting has helped to ease tensions along the border," the source said, before adding that Cambodia remained to be convinced that the Thai military "was serious" about the ceasefire.

He said shelling had stopped along the border after reports of artillery battles earlier in the day, adding that since mid-morning there had been just a few reports of small-arms fire.

A soldier at Ta Moan temple, the scene of some of the heaviest shelling over the past seven days, confirmed that fighting had ceased in his area.

Thai defence officials were not available to comment.

Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said the ceasefire had been agreed "in principle."

The fighting between the two nations has killed 14 soldiers and one civilian, and wounded nearly 60 others.

Clashes involving heavy artillery and small-arms fire had erupted on a daily basis since Friday at a series of six locations on Cambodia's northern and north-west border with Thailand.

-- The Nation 2011-04-28

[webfact]

Thai Army chief says fighting at Surin, Buriram borders have stopped and tension's subsiding.

/via@tulsathit /via@Kom_chad_luek

[Steely Dan]

Good news,

"in principle."

[webfact]

Still v cautious, Army chief Prayuth says next steps can only be taken if there's no more shooting up till tomorrow /via@thapanee3miti /via@tulsathit

[elcent]

It will only work when the PAD and alike are being kept out. Lots of work to do internally I think.

[webfact]

New truce hope in Thai-Cambodia clash

by Tang Chhin Sothy

SAMRONG, April 28, 2011 (AFP) - Thai and Cambodian military commanders met for ceasefire talks on Thursday, but a deal to end the bloodiest fighting in decades remained unconfirmed.

As the death toll rose to 15 on the seventh day of fighting on the disputed border, the Cambodian defence minister suggested an agreement had been reached between army commanders at the disputed border.

"They agreed to a ceasefire and for soldiers to stay where they are," Tea Banh told AFP by telephone.

Thai military spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said that while talks had taken place "no agreement has been reached".

"Fighting has stopped now on both sides," he added.

Both countries continue to blame each other for sparking the violence around two contested jungle temples, which has forced tens of thousands of civilians on both sides to flee their homes.

One Thai soldier died on Thursday morning, bringing the total number of the country's troops killed since the fighting began last Friday to six, while eight have died on the Cambodian side.

Bangkok has said a Thai civilian has also been killed.

The fighting has prompted increasing diplomatic pressure on the neighbours to end hostilities.

A statement from European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday called the conflict "very worrying" and echoed calls made by the UN Security Council in February for a permanent ceasefire.

The US ambassador to Thailand, Kristie Kenney, on Thursday also urged a return to the negotiating table and said she hoped Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc would help discussions.

Talks aimed at ending the violence had been due to take place in Phnom Penh on Wednesday, but were called off by Thailand's defence minister at the last minute.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya left for Jakarta, chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc, on Thursday and is due to discuss the clashes with his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa.

"In the end this issue must be resolved by negotiation and there are still avenues for talks. War only cause losses, injures and deaths," Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban told reporters early on Thursday.

Cambodian mother-of-eight Chhem Lin was among the thousands of evacuees who have sought safety in the town of Samrong, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) away from the border unrest.

"I am so scared," said the 46-year-old, whose husband is a soldier on the frontline. "They should not fight to resolve the problem. Both sides should talk to each other so the people aren't displaced," she told AFP.

The Thai-Cambodian border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from years of war in Cambodia.

On Tuesday the fighting briefly spread to the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which has been the focus of strained relations between the neighbours since it was granted UN World Heritage status in 2008.

In February, 10 people were killed near the Preah Vihear temple, which is 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of the two other ancient temple complexes at the centre of the current clashes, prompting a UN appeal for a permanent ceasefire.

The neighbours agreed in late February to allow observers from Indonesia into the area near Preah Vihear. But the Thai military has since said the monitors are not welcome and they have not been deployed.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but both countries claim ownership of a 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) surrounding area.

Cambodia has accused Thailand of using spy planes and poisonous gas in the recent fighting -- an allegation denied by Bangkok.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-04-28

[webfact]

Thailand and Cambodia announce border truce

by Tang Chhin Sothy

SAMRONG, April 28, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand and Cambodia said Thursday they had agreed to end fierce fighting on their shared border after seven days of clashes that have left 15 dead.

"After discussions by the military on both sides this morning, there is a ceasefire agreement... border checkpoints will be reopened and villagers will start to return home," said Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

Earlier on Thursday, Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh told AFP that a deal had been reached for an end to hostilities and for "soldiers to stay where they are".

Both countries have blamed each other for sparking the violence around two contested jungle temples -- the bloodiest fighting between the neighbours in decades -- which has displaced around 75,000 civilians.

Panitan said the negotiations were "amicable" and troops were confident that the truce could be implemented.

But he added: "The ceasefire agreement is preliminary and we have to wait and see how the situation on the ground develops."

One Thai soldier died on Thursday morning, bringing the total number of the country's troops killed since the fighting began last Friday to six, while eight have died on the Cambodian side.

Bangkok has said a Thai civilian has also been killed.

The neighbours had come under increasing international pressure to stop the violence.

A statement from European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday called the conflict "very worrying" and echoed calls made by the UN Security Council in February for a permanent ceasefire.

The US ambassador to Thailand, Kristie Kenney, on Thursday also urged a return to the negotiating table.

Talks had previously been due to take place in Phnom Penh on Wednesday, but were called off at the last minute by Thailand's defence minister.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was in Jakarta, chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc, on Thursday for talks with his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa. ASEAN had also urged the pair to reach a ceasefire.

Heavy weapons fire has caused an estimated 45,000 people in Thailand and 30,000 in Cambodia to flee the jungle frontier.

Cambodian mother-of-eight Chhem Lin was among the evacuees who have sought safety in the town of Samrong, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) away from the border unrest.

"I am so scared," the 46-year-old, whose husband is a soldier on the front line, told AFP before the ceasefire was announced. "They should not fight to resolve the problem."

The Thai-Cambodian border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from years of war in Cambodia.

On Tuesday the fighting briefly spread to the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which has been the focus of strained relations between the neighbours since it was granted UN World Heritage status in 2008.

In February, 10 people were killed near the Preah Vihear temple, which is 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of the two other ancient temple complexes at the centre of the latest clashes.

The neighbours agreed in late February to allow observers from Indonesia into the area near Preah Vihear. But the Thai military has since said the monitors are not welcome and they have not been deployed.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but both countries claim ownership of a 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) surrounding area.

Cambodia has accused Thailand of using spy planes and poison gas in the recent fighting -- an allegation denied by Bangkok.

The border clash came at a sensitive political time for Thailand, with the country's premier preparing to dissolve the lower house of parliament for elections he has said will be held by early July.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-04-28

[BuckarooBanzai]

I hope it's accurate but I will only believe it when they tell the displaced families to return to their homes. At that point the Army's reputation will be on the line as well as the safety of the civilians.

[wintermute]

I hope it's accurate but I will only believe it when they tell the displaced families to return to their homes. At that point the Army's reputation will be on the line as well as the safety of the civilians.

It'll be like musical chairs, they'll start up and stop every so often until each side ensures they have the necessary votes in the bag.

[lungmi]

A good analysis I just read (French newspaper). It points out the special "nationalism" on both sides in abuse of internal politics.

http://www.lemonde.fr/asie-pacifique/article/2011/04/27/tensions-entre-thailandais-et-cambodgiens-sur-fond-de-vieilles-pierres-et-de-nationalisme_1513345_3216.html

[eutin45]

It will only work when the PAD and alike are being kept out. Lots of work to do internally I think.

Did anyone notice picture 2 generals toasting each other with champagne. This is a bloody champagne. Are they toasting to the 14 dead people?

This is what you die for in the Thai or Cambodia army?

[micksterbs]

At last; sanity breaks out.

I really hate sounding so cynical when it's lives at stake but how long before the monstrous egos of these generals start twitching again?

[sirchai]

At last; sanity breaks out.

I really hate sounding so cynical when it's lives at stake but how long before the monstrous egos of these generals start twitching again?

I have the bigger guns................................:jap:

[Steely Dan]

I must admit I feel slightly queasy seeing the generals sipping champagne when there are dead on both sides and I'm not even certain they have all had their funerals yet. At this stage a handshake would surely have sufficed.

[MaiDong]

I'd hazard a guess that it wasn't champagne and is actually just fizzy water of some kind, I'd also hazard a guess that it was a spontaneous toast, not a celebratory toast, which was unfortunately captured by an opportunistic photographer and published by a publicity seeking news source...

[lungmi]

A good analysis I just read (French newspaper). It points out the special "nationalism" on both sides in abuse of internal politics.

http://www.lemonde.f...13345_3216.html

http://whc.unesco.or.../decisions/1322

http://www.icj-cij.o...les/45/4872.pdf

I post for information, everyone is free to to make his conclusions.

Sorry, all is in French language, but I know in the forum we have multilanguage speakers.

Edited April 28, 2011 by lungmi

[webfact]

BORDER DISPUTE

Thailand and Cambodia announce border ceasefire

Thailand and Cambodia said Thursday they had agreed to end border fighting after seven days of clashes that have left 15 dead.

Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn said, "After a meeting of the army on both sides this morning, there is a ceasefire agreement. Border checkpoints will be reopened and villagers will return home.

Panitan said the negotiations were amicable and troops were confident that the truce could be implemented.

However he added: "The ceasefire agreement is preliminary. We have to wait and see how the situation will develop."

A Thai soldier was killed on early Thursday morning after the skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia, bringing the death toll of the Thai side to eight.

-- The Nation 2011-04-28

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Thai, Cambodian field commanders agree ceasefire: Thai army chief

BANGKOK, April 28 - Thai army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Thursday that Thai and Cambodians field commanders have met and agreed to a ceasefire, but were still "assessing the situation" until sometime Friday.

The Thai army commander-in-chief made his remarks following seven days of clashes between soldiers of the two neighbouring countries which erupted at their shared borders last Friday, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of local residents and scores of casualties on both sides.

Gen Prayuth reaffirmed that the exchange of gunfire of troops of both countries has already stopped as of mid day Thursday, and that Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn, commander of Thailand's Army Region 2, met with his Cambodian counterpart this morning.

Both sides said they wanted a ceasefire, but have to wait and assess the situation at the border until Friday morning, Gen Prayuth stated.

The army chief said that all parties hope the situation will improve and no one wants fighting.

“If no further clash occurs between this afternoon and Friday morning, this will lead to a talk of higher officials,” said Gen Prayuth.

Acting Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Thursday that the army chief has already informed the government about the ceasefire agreed by the field officers of the two countries.

Dr Panitan however said the situation must be monitored as the ceasefire may not be acknowledged in some areas where fighting has occurred.

Reuters news agency reported that Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan confirmed the ceasefire by the two armed forces, saying that both countries agreed to open a border point to allow displaced Thais and Cambodians to return home.

A Cambodian government spokesman said local military commanders of the two neighbours will meet regularly to avoid any misunderstanding which may lead a further border clash. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-04-28

[SAffer]

I hope it's accurate but I will only believe it when they tell the displaced families to return to their homes. At that point the Army's reputation will be on the line as well as the safety of the civilians.

It'll be like musical chairs, they'll start up and stop every so often until each side ensures they have the necessary votes in the bag.

It's certainly not warfare... this is nothing more than 2 rival gangs having a shoot-out.

Military powers, they are not.

Serious about beggining or ending hostilities, they are not.

Just a silly bunch of guys making the lives of villagers miserable.

These are not Generals, they are Dons.

[SantiSuk]

Don't you just hate it when the country you have adopted allows unelected soldiers to decide when to go to war and when to stop. Third World writ large.

[softgeorge]

I hope it's accurate but I will only believe it when they tell the displaced families to return to their homes. At that point the Army's reputation will be on the line as well as the safety of the civilians.

KIN KOW time

[webfact]

Govt: Thai and Cambodian troops agree ceasefire

BANGKOK, 28 April 2011 (NNT) - Government Spokesperson Panitan Wattanayakorn revealed that the Thai and Cambodian armies have agreed to ceasefire and open the border to allow people to return home.

Dr Panitan has received the information on ceasefire from Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, who said the armies from both sides have come to an agreement on Thursday after clashes involving heavy artillery for a seventh day had affected local residents from both sides.

The Government Spokesperson stated that after the ceasefire, the border problems should be solved through a peaceful means.

-- NNT 2011-04-28

[Robby nz]

So Hun Sens son is going to be the hero who brought peace to the border.

His CV should be almost complete, ready to take over from his father.

[News_Editor]

Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire

2011-04-28 19:26:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- The governments of Thailand and Cambodia on Thursday agreed to a ceasefire almost a week after they their border clashes begun, officials said.

Thai national army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha told the Bangkok Post that after strong fire was exchanged Thursday morning between both sides near Chong Chom pass in Surin province, Cambodian deputy army chief Hun Manet and Lt. General Chea Mon sent their representatives to negotiate with Thai soldiers for a ceasefire.

General Prayuth explained that if there were no more fighting during the afternoon, Friday or Saturday, Lt. General Tawatchai Samutsakhon, the 2nd Army commander, would meet and hold talks with Lt. General Chea Mon, Cambodia's 5th Army Region commander.

According to reports, Cambodian forces suffered heavy casualties after the morning's clashes.

Prayuth also expressed concern regarding the safety of Thai villages in the area, although the majority had been evacuated beforehand, and even though the army chief hoped for no more clashes, he noted that if Cambodian forces opened fire again, Thai troops would respond to prevent them from entering the territory.

Since Friday, both countries have clashed in their border regions, as both Cambodia and Thailand claim the 4.6 square kilometer area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple on their shared border, which has never been formally established. Cambodia requested Indonesian observers to mediate in the conflict but Thailand denied.

On Monday, clashes erupted near the Ta Muen Thom temple in Thailand's eastern Surin province, causing about 25,000 residents to evacuate the area, and on Tuesday, fighting spread near the Preah Vihear temple, which is around 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of the Ta Krabey temple.

Tensions first escalated between the two countries in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the Preah Vihear temple. The United Nations Security Council urged both sides to establish a permanent ceasefire after at least 10 people were killed.

Clashes resumed in February as both nations claim the lands surrounding the ancient Hindu Temple, which has been damaged due to the conflict. The Preah Vihear temple dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border.

In 2008, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in recognition of its outstanding universal value. It is considered an outstanding example of Khmer architecture and consists of a complex of sanctuaries linked by pavements and staircases on an 800-metre-long axis.

Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to meet in next month's ASEAN summit, which is scheduled to take place in Indonesia. In addition, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya also has an appointment to meet with ASEAN chairman Marty Natalegawa on Thursday.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-28

[MILT]

It will only work when the PAD and alike are being kept out. Lots of work to do internally I think.

Did anyone notice picture 2 generals toasting each other with champagne. This is a bloody champagne. Are they toasting to the 14 dead people?

This is what you die for in the Thai or Cambodia army?

Yep. i heard it specially flown in from a undisclosed location.

[finnomick]

It will only work when the PAD and alike are being kept out. Lots of work to do internally I think.

Did anyone notice picture 2 generals toasting each other with champagne. This is a bloody champagne. Are they toasting to the 14 dead people?

This is what you die for in the Thai or Cambodia army?

Yes, couldn't agree more. Perhaps they'd like to toast my sister-in-law's family for the sacrifice their uncle made who was one of the military casualties on the Thai side. He was cremated this afternoon. RIP

[finnomick]

AND, a ceasefire was agreed.....with only small-arms now being fired. So who is breaking the ceasefire ? Pathetic

[micksterbs]

Of course, Thailand wouldn't be the first developing or third-world country to play the nationalist card on the run-up to an election. Nothing like an external enemy to get the voters motivated. Especially when one can practically see the generals pulling Abhisit's strings anyway; a win-win for the Army.

[cardholder]

I'd hazard a guess that it wasn't champagne and is actually just fizzy water of some kind, I'd also hazard a guess that it was a spontaneous toast, not a celebratory toast, which was unfortunately captured by an opportunistic photographer and published by a publicity seeking news source...

Oh, ........ that's OK then......... as long as it is not real champagne

[cardholder]

It will only work when the PAD and alike are being kept out. Lots of work to do internally I think.

Did anyone notice picture 2 generals toasting each other with champagne. This is a bloody champagne. Are they toasting to the 14 dead people?

This is what you die for in the Thai or Cambodia army?

Yep. i heard it specially flown in from a undisclosed location.

I imagine from the Cambodian side - one of the many benefits of being colonised.