ID :
24993
Fri, 10/17/2008 - 08:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/24993
The shortlink copeid
M'SIA ASKED TO PLAY A ROLE IN EASING TENSIONS BETWEEN THAILAND AND CAMBODIA
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has been asked to play a role to help resolve the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia which is seen to be getting worse.
Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said ASEAN secretary-general Dr Surin
Pitsuwan contacted him late Thursday evening asking for Malaysia's help to resolve the conflict between the two countries.
"We will study the situation closely especially the dispute over the Preah
Vihear temple at their common border and if the Cabinet gives the green light, I
will make a trip to Cambodia. As a friendly neighbour to both countries, we must
do all we can to prevent the situation from getting out of hand," he told a
press conference at Parliament's lobby here Thursday.
Rais said Surin's call to ASEAN countries to step in and help resolve the
conflict through diplomatic channels was timely.
"This is because he is entrusted with the task of preserving harmony in
ASEAN. And it is not only Malaysia that has been asked to help but one or two
other countries as well," he said.
Rais said since Thailand and Cambodia are members of ASEAN, it was
pertinent on the part of other states in ASEAN to play a positive role in the
conflict.
"I should also be going to Thailand although in Thailand the position is
not as congenial as we may expect for the moment due to the fact that the
government is preoccupied with a certain domestic situation.
"Therefore with that request from the secretary-general, Malaysia will try
to play a small role, if I may put it that way so that the two parties would
come to the conference table more instead of using the physical confrontational
approach that have been reported by the media," he said.
Thailand and Cambodia are reported to be on the brink of war because of the
dispute. Two Cambodian soldiers died while seven Thai soldiers were injured when
skirmishes broke out yesterday between the troops station there.
In another development, Rais said that Malaysia was also requested by
United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki Moon to play a positive role in
determining the situation and the atmosphere in Myanmar through the UN office in
the next few weeks.
"I am considering a few options in determining what is the best way to
approach our friends in Myanmar towards the situation there specifically in
respect of the human rights and problems that are being faced by Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi for the moment," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said ASEAN secretary-general Dr Surin
Pitsuwan contacted him late Thursday evening asking for Malaysia's help to resolve the conflict between the two countries.
"We will study the situation closely especially the dispute over the Preah
Vihear temple at their common border and if the Cabinet gives the green light, I
will make a trip to Cambodia. As a friendly neighbour to both countries, we must
do all we can to prevent the situation from getting out of hand," he told a
press conference at Parliament's lobby here Thursday.
Rais said Surin's call to ASEAN countries to step in and help resolve the
conflict through diplomatic channels was timely.
"This is because he is entrusted with the task of preserving harmony in
ASEAN. And it is not only Malaysia that has been asked to help but one or two
other countries as well," he said.
Rais said since Thailand and Cambodia are members of ASEAN, it was
pertinent on the part of other states in ASEAN to play a positive role in the
conflict.
"I should also be going to Thailand although in Thailand the position is
not as congenial as we may expect for the moment due to the fact that the
government is preoccupied with a certain domestic situation.
"Therefore with that request from the secretary-general, Malaysia will try
to play a small role, if I may put it that way so that the two parties would
come to the conference table more instead of using the physical confrontational
approach that have been reported by the media," he said.
Thailand and Cambodia are reported to be on the brink of war because of the
dispute. Two Cambodian soldiers died while seven Thai soldiers were injured when
skirmishes broke out yesterday between the troops station there.
In another development, Rais said that Malaysia was also requested by
United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki Moon to play a positive role in
determining the situation and the atmosphere in Myanmar through the UN office in
the next few weeks.
"I am considering a few options in determining what is the best way to
approach our friends in Myanmar towards the situation there specifically in
respect of the human rights and problems that are being faced by Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi for the moment," he said.
-- BERNAMA
