Singapore - Cambodia and Thailand assured the Association of
the South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday that they will exert
their utmost efforts to settle a raging border row amicably.
Foreign ministers from the two bickering countries told their
counterparts from the 10-member regional grouping that they will
'abide by their ASEAN and international obligations.'
Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said they urged Cambodia and
Thailand to exercise utmost restraint while finding peaceful
solutions to the row.
'We urge both sides to exercise utmost restraint and resolve this
issue amicably, in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and good
neighbourliness,' Yeo said after an informal dinner of ASEAN
officials on the eve of annual ministerial meetings.
'Recognizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in
the region the ASEAN foreign ministers also decided to offer
facilities to be placed at the disposal of Cambodia and Thailand in
the event that they felt the need for further support,' he said.
Aside from Thailand and Cambodia, ASEAN includes Brunei, Laos,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.
Earlier in the day, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda
clarified that Cambodia did not seek the help of the United Nations
in setting the row, but wrote a letter to inform the world body about
the problem.
The ASEAN foreign ministers expressed hope that a direct meeting
between Cambodia and Thailand joint border committee on Monday will
finally lead to the resolution to the problem.
Nearly 1,000 Cambodian troops and 500 Thai soldiers continue to
face each other on the disputed territory since the tension began a
week ago.
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