UN urges Thai-Cambodia ceasefire
April 24th, 2011 - 11:36 pm ICT by BNO NewsUNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Thailand and Cambodia to declare a ceasefire as clashes continue for the third day.
“The Secretary-General is troubled by reports of renewed fighting in the past two days between Cambodian and Thai troops along the two countries’ common border, which has reportedly claimed numerous lives from both sides,” Martin Nesirky, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said.
The Secretary-General added that he believes that the dispute cannot be resolved by military means and urged both sides to engage in talks.
“He had been encouraged by the initial signs of progress in regional efforts to strengthen bilateral mechanisms for dealing with the dispute between the two neighbours,” Nesirky added.
The Bangkok Post reported Sunday that up to 10 soldiers form both sides have been killed since Friday, the first clashes since February. Three Thai soldiers were killed and 13 others injured, while another Thai soldier was killed on Saturday. Cambodia says it has lost six troops since the border conflict erupted.
Residents in the area had begun to evacuate after artillery rounds landed on the village. On Saturday, Cambodia accused Thailand of using chemical weapons against Cambodian troops in the fighting, but Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya denied the claims and called on Cambodia to enter talks.
Early last month, representatives from both sides agreed to meet again at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 25 May to discuss ways to safeguard the Preah Vihear temple, which was damaged in previous border clashes.
Tensions first escalated between the two countries in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the Preah Vihear temple. The United Nations Security Council urged both sides to establish a permanent ceasefire after at least 10 people were killed.
Clashes resumed in February as both nations claim the lands surrounding the Hindu temple. The border conflict has damaged the temple which dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border. UNESCO sent a mission to asses the situation.
- Cambodia and Thailand continue border clashes for the fourth day - Apr 26, 2011
- Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire - Apr 28, 2011
- UN chief calls on Cambodia, Thailand for ceasefire - Apr 25, 2011
- Thai-Cambodia clashes continue into fifth day - Apr 26, 2011
- Thai-Cambodia peace talks postponed as clashes continue - Apr 27, 2011
- Thai-Cambodia border clashes enter 11th day - May 02, 2011
- Thai PM says Cambodian troops must leave border to solve dispute - May 08, 2011
- Clashes along Thai-Cambodian border resume - Feb 17, 2011
- Thai soldier killed less than one day after ceasefire agreed with Cambodia - Apr 29, 2011
- Thailand, Cambodia to hold border talks - Aug 12, 2011
- Cambodian, Thai soldiers again exchange gunfire on Saturday - Apr 30, 2011
- Cambodia and Thailand agree to remove troops from disputed border - Sep 16, 2011
- At least 1,500 Cambodian troops leave disputed border with Thailand - Sep 01, 2011
- Thai-Cambodian border clashes resume after 'ceasefire' - Feb 07, 2011
- Thailand denies using chemical weapons against Cambodia - Apr 24, 2011
Tags: artillery rounds, ban ki moon, bangkok post, bno, border clashes, border conflict, ceasefire, chemical weapons, hindu temple, initial signs, kasit, nations security council, preah vihear, regional efforts, thai soldier, thai soldiers, un secretary general, unesco headquarters, united nations security, united nations security council