Cambodia and Thailand defence officials to meet to discuss truce, Thai foreign minister says

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Reuters) – Defence officials from Thailand and Cambodia will meet on December 24 to discuss the possibility of resuming a ceasefire between the two countries, Thailand’s top diplomat said on Monday, as border fighting entered a third week.

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The two countries agreed to hold talks using their General Border Committee, an established bilateral mechanism, with Thailand proposing that it takes place at the border line in the Thai province of Chanthaburi, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told a briefing in Kuala Lumpur.

Cambodia’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sihasak said Thailand wanted a “true ceasefire” with a firm commitment from Cambodia and a detailed implementation plan, adding that de-mining was necessary to move the process forward.

“A ceasefire cannot just be declared, it needs a discussion,” he said.

FIERCE FIGHTING

The meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations followed two weeks of fierce fighting that has killed at least 80 people and initially displaced more than half a million.

Sihasak said neither the United States nor China were involved in the decision for the two countries to resume discussions later this week, adding it was about Thailand and Cambodia “working things out”.

Heavy exchanges of fire have occurred in multiple locations along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, from forested inland areas near Laos to coastal provinces. Clashes flared again on Monday, with both sides trading accusations of aggression.

‘WE MUST INTENSIFY TRUST-BUILDING’

Monday’s gathering was the first face-to-face meeting involving the two governments since the fighting resumed on December 8. In opening the meeting, Malaysia’s foreign minister urged the bloc to play a more forceful role in halting the conflict.

“ASEAN must do whatever is necessary to maintain regional peace and stability,” Mohamad Hasan said.

“Our goal goes beyond de-escalating the tension. We must intensify trust-building among the conflicting parties and provide the horizons for dialogue despite the prevailing differences.”

Cambodia’s defence ministry on Monday said Thailand had violated its sovereignty with more “armed aggression” and vowed to defend what it said was its territory “at any cost”.

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