Thailand will reject the UN Security Council’s attempts at mediation to resolve the deadly border conflict with Cambodia, according to Prime Minister Abhist Vejjajiva.
“Cambodia is calling for (intervention by) a third country, the UN and peacekeeping forces. Thailand will call for a return to bilateral talks on demarcation,” he said.
Earlier this month, four days of fighting that left eight people dead erupted around the ancient temple, which is known as Preah Vihear in Cambodia and Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand. The territorial dispute represents the culmination of decades worth of dispute surrounding the 11th century site. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled the temple was in Cambodia, but the main access route is on the Thai side.
On Monday, the UN Security Council called for a truce between the two Asian nations and urged them to begin discussions to end their dispute. The council issued its statement following a closed-door session on the conflict that included representatives from both sides and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Why the sudden outbreak of violence and why is international assistance being denied? Some politicians suspect that Vejjajiva is trying to conjure nationalist fervor for his upcoming elections. By provoking the fighting he then has the opportunity to demonstrate his strong hand and to curry favor with the hard-line voters.
Another possibility is that the fighting represents an attempt to unseat the government in a secret pact between generals and nationalist elements. This is not improbable considering Thailand’s history of frequent army takeovers.
Meanwhile Cambodia is preparing to request at a foreign ministerial meeting on February 22 that ASEAN oversee their cease-fire efforts. However, Thailand will not likely respond positively to any attempts to further internationalize their conflict.
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Cambodia-Thailand: A Strategic Border Dispute?
February 17, 2011
Thailand will reject the UN Security Council’s attempts at mediation to resolve the deadly border conflict with Cambodia, according to Prime Minister Abhist Vejjajiva.
“Cambodia is calling for (intervention by) a third country, the UN and peacekeeping forces. Thailand will call for a return to bilateral talks on demarcation,” he said.
Earlier this month, four days of fighting that left eight people dead erupted around the ancient temple, which is known as Preah Vihear in Cambodia and Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand. The territorial dispute represents the culmination of decades worth of dispute surrounding the 11th century site. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled the temple was in Cambodia, but the main access route is on the Thai side.
On Monday, the UN Security Council called for a truce between the two Asian nations and urged them to begin discussions to end their dispute. The council issued its statement following a closed-door session on the conflict that included representatives from both sides and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Why the sudden outbreak of violence and why is international assistance being denied? Some politicians suspect that Vejjajiva is trying to conjure nationalist fervor for his upcoming elections. By provoking the fighting he then has the opportunity to demonstrate his strong hand and to curry favor with the hard-line voters.
Another possibility is that the fighting represents an attempt to unseat the government in a secret pact between generals and nationalist elements. This is not improbable considering Thailand’s history of frequent army takeovers.
Meanwhile Cambodia is preparing to request at a foreign ministerial meeting on February 22 that ASEAN oversee their cease-fire efforts. However, Thailand will not likely respond positively to any attempts to further internationalize their conflict.
