As UN Council Rebuffs Cambodia on Peacekeepers, Thai Denial of Cluster Bombs

By Matthew Russell Lee
Inner City Press

UNITED NATIONS, February 14 -- Cambodia's request that the UN Security Council meet and send peacekeepers or at least observers to its border conflict with Thailand was at most half successful on Monday. A meeting was held, but the resulting Council press statement did not sent observers.

Rather, the UN Security Council deferred almost entirely to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is convening a meeting of the region's foreign ministers in Jakarta on February 22.

Inner City Press asked ASEAN chair Marty Natalegawa if his ability to mediate the conflict was hurt by the lack within ASEAN of procedures to expel or apply sanctions to a member. While ASEAN does not have those powers, Natalegawa replied ASEAN “member states... must behave in a certain manner.” Video here.

Since Cambodia's presentation to the Council said “Thailand used sophisticated weapons including cluster bombs,” Inner City Press asked Natalegawa what would happen within ASEAN to these charges. Ask the two foreign ministers, Natalegawa replied.

When Inner City Press asked Thai minister Kasit Piromya about Cambodia's charge, Kasit said “we deny all of that... we did not shoot first.” Video here.

Kasit said that Thailand gives money to Cambodia, and referred to as Mr. “Prescoe” UN Under Secretary General Lynn Pascoe, who skipped the stakeout that UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said would be held.

Natalegawa previously at UN, Cambodia requests not shown

The last speaker was Cambodia's deputy prime minister Hor Namhong. Inner City Press asked if he and Cambodia were disappointed that the UN Security Council did not grant the request for peacekeepers.

“We regret the Security Council did not send observers on the ground,” he said, before adding that Cambodia now counts on Natalegawa to keep the peace. Video here.

Inner City Press asked what actions Cambodia would ask ASEAN to take with respect with Thailand. The response was deferred until the February 22 ASEAN minister's meeting in Jakarta. Watch this site.

Read More

Kasit Piromya (Thailand) on the Cambodian-Thai border - Security Council Media Stakeout

14 February 2011

Informal comments to the media by H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand on the situation on the border between Cambodia and Thailand.

Read More

Hor Namhong (Cambodia) on the Cambodian-Thai border - Security Council Media Stakeout

14 February 2011

Informal comments to the media by H.E. Mr. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia on the situation on the border between Cambodia and Thailand.

Read More

Marty M. Natalegawat (Indonesia, ASEAN) on the Cambodian-Thai border - Security Council Media Stakeout

14 February 2011

Informal comments to the media by H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawat, Foreign Minister of Indonesia and Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the situation on the border between Cambodia and Thailand.

Read More

Security Council urges permanent ceasefire after recent Thai-Cambodia clashes

SC President Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti on the Cambodian-Thai border - Security Council Media Stakeout
14 February 2011

Informal comments to the media by H.E. Mrs. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Permanent Representative of Brazil and President of the Security Council on the situation on the border between Cambodia and Thailand.


Source: UN News Centre

14 February 2011 – Voicing grave concern about the recent armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, the Security Council today urged the South-East Asian neighbours to establish a permanent ceasefire following closed-door talks on the situation.

“The members of the Security Council called on the two sides to display maximum restraint and avoid any action that may aggravate the situation,” Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil, which holds the monthly presidency of the 15-member body for February, said in a statement read out to the press after the meeting.

“The members of the Security Council further urged the parties to establish a permanent ceasefire and to implement it fully and resolve the situation peacefully and through effective dialogue,” the statement added.

Tensions first escalated between the two countries in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the Preah Vihear temple, which dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border. The Hindu temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that same month.

Clashes between the two neighbours resumed earlier this month, prompting calls for calm and restraint by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

During its session today, the Council was briefed by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe and Marty Natalegawa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia and Chair of the regional grouping known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

It also heard from Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, and Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

The Council expressed support for ASEAN’s active efforts regarding the situation between Cambodia and Thailand, and encouraged the parties to continue to cooperate with the organization in this regard. The issue is expected to be discussed at the meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers on 22 February.

Read More