DPA
Washington - The United States Monday urged restraint in an escalating Thailand-Cambodia border dispute that has flared up near ancient temples claimed by both sides.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US was 'deeply concerned' and supported the efforts of Indonesia to mediate a resolution.
'We strongly urge both sides to exercise restraint, refrain from provocative acts, and immediately take all necessary steps to reduce tensions and avoid further conflict,' Clinton said in a statement. 'The loss of life, displacement of civilians, and damage to property is regrettable.'
Both sides have blamed each other for the fighting that broke out Friday near the ancient temples of Ta Kwai and Ta Muen claimed by both sides.
Five Thai soldiers were killed and 24 injured. Some 30,000 civilians have been evacuated from their villages along the border, Thai Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Keowkamnerd said earlier Monday.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa postponed a planned visit to Phnom Penh and Bangkok that had been expected to result in an agreement to deploy Indonesian monitors along the Thai-Cambodian border as a step towards ending a border conflict that has flared on and off for three years.
Indonesia is involved in mediation as the current chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
'The United States is also engaging with Thai and Cambodian officials directly on this matter,' Clinton said.
Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in February near another temple, Preah Vihear, about 200 kilometres east of the location of the latest skirmish, leaving five dead. The Hindu temple has been a bone of contention for five decades.
0 comments:
Post a Comment