ASEAN role sought to resolve temple conflict

August, 18 2010
VNS (Hanoi)

Ha Noi — Viet Nam was consulting with ASEAN member countries on a proposal to make ASEAN play an intermediary role in settling the Preah Vihear Temple conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, Viet Nam's foreign ministry spokesperson said yesterday.

Replying to reporters' questions on Viet Nam's reaction to the proposal, spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga said Viet Nam's wish was that Thailand and Cambodia solved their Preah Vihear Temple conflict by peaceful measures and dialogue.

These measures would suit agreements already reached by the two countries and avoid armed clashes that would affect ASEAN unity, Nga said.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister of Viet Nam, which holds the ASEAN chair this year, has released a statement on behalf of ASEAN welcoming the Myanmar Government's decision to hold general elections on November 7.

"The Federal Government of Myanmar on August 13 announced that it would hold general elections on November 7, 2010," the statement said. "ASEAN welcomes this decision by Myanmar.

"In this spirit, ASEAN encourages Myanmar to speed up steps in the road map towards national reconciliation and democracy, including the above-mentioned general elections that will work in establishing a constitutional government in Myanmar.

"ASEAN emphasises the importance of national reconciliation in Myanmar and holding general elections in a free and fair manner with the participation of all interested parties, thus contributing to stability and development in Myanmar.

"ASEAN also emphasises a need for Myanmar to continue co-operating with ASEAN and the United Nations in the process.

"For its part, ASEAN is ready to give support if Myanmar expresses its interest and if it runs in line with the ASEAN charter. ASEAN will work closely with Myanmar in consulting on this issue."

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

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Army commander ensures peace on Thai-Cambodian border

08/18/2010
VOV News (Hanoi)

The Thai army commander said his army is ready to maintain peace and order on the Thai-Cambodian border.

General Anupong Paochinda, Army Commander in Chief, was quoted by the National News Bureau of Thailand as saying that Thai soldiers have been maintaining order along the border in line with the government’s policy. He also dismissed reports that Cambodia has deployed more soldiers in the area, adding that soldiers of both sides have been on good terms in spite of the dispute.

The address follows tense relations between the two countries over the border demarcation issue, which ignited a heated altercation, with each side accusing the other of infringement on its sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on international bodies to help mediate the conflict, whereas Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged that the dispute be resolved through bilateral negotiations.

Posted in: VOA Khmer