Cambodia twits Thailand over observer issue

Cambodian foreign minister Hor Namhong Saturday (April 9) slammed Thailand over its hesitation to receive Indonesian observers to monitor the permanent ceasefire at the disputed border near Preah Vihear Temple, saying Bangkok had sent many confusing messages on the matter. "If Thailand wishes really to have a ceasefire at the border, why should they hesitate to receive Indonesian observers," Hor Namhong told reporters. "Every time there's an armed clash, they always accuse Cambodia of starting the fighting. In such a case, why don't they accept the role of Indonesia as mediator?" he asked. Hor Namhong was in Jakarta together with his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya for an Asean-Japan meeting on the relief response to the tsunami. Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to the peace plan proposed by Indonesia to have observers assess the situation and monitor the ceasefire after a border skirmish at Preah Vihear in February. Phnom Penh expressed its readiness to accept the observers but the Thai military is reluctant to allow them in, saying the area was too dangerous and having observers could be considered an infringement of Thai sovereignty by foreigners. Thai foreign minister Kasit has failed in several attempts to convince the military to honour what Thailand has already agreed with Cambodia and Indonesia. The Thai military initially said they would discuss the observation "modality" proposed by Indonesia with Cambodia in the General Border Commission (GBC) first. But as Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa proposed the GBC meeting be held in Bogor on Thursday and Friday last week, Thai defence minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who co-chairs the GBC, said he won't attend the meeting. Hor Namhong said Thailand has sent very confusing signals all the time over the deal to settle the border dispute. "Frankly speaking, it's really difficult to deal with them," he said. "The government and the foreign minister say one thing while the military says another thing. "We don't know who we can trust, who to deal with. We don't know who really has the right to negotiate. "We have to respect the Asean chair's role in the negotiation. Indonesia as a chair has received the mandate from the UN Security Council," he said. Kasit informed Indonesia in writing on Friday that from now on he was the person who would discuss and make an agreement with Jakarta on the terms of reference (TOR) for the observers. It was not necessary to discuss the TOR with Cambodia in the GBC, he said. Kasit was scheduled to meet with Indonesian foreign minister Marty Saturday to discuss the TOR. But as of press time, the outcome of the meeting was not disclosed. "I will discuss the TOR with Indonesia and bring some details to consult with the military again on the location where we should allow the observers in," Kasit told reporters in Jakarta. Source: http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?id=18383&sec=1