Vietnam calls for restraint between Thais and Cambodians

Restraint urged between Thais and Cambodians

HA NOI – Viet Nam wants Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint to avoid armed clashes while continuing to resolve disputes through peaceful negotiations.

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga (pictured) made the statement yesterday while answering reporters' question on Viet Nam's reaction to conflicts occurring the same day between Thailand and Cambodia in the areas of Ta Mon Thom and Ta Krabey temples on the countries' border.

"As ASEAN members and as a neighbour of both Thailand and Cambodia, Viet Nam once again wants the two sides to exercise maximum restraint, avoid armed conflicts and continue resolving disputes through peaceful negotiations on the basis of basic principles of international law, the United Nations Charter and on the spirit of friendship, ASEAN solidarity and for the two peoples' interest and for peace, stability and co-operation in the region and the world", Nga said.

"We call on Cambodia and Thailand to strictly abide by pledges made at the informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting in Jakarta on February 22 and not let the situation become more complicated," she said. — VNS