Uneasy truce along Thai-Cambodia border as talks proceedーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
Thailand and Cambodia have started talks over how to maintain a ceasefire after a series of border clashes between the two nations. The four days of discussions began in Myanmar uh rather began on Malaysia in Malaysia on Monday. That’s one week after Bangkok and Ponen agreed to halt fighting in the disputed region. Officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations say a primary task is to establish a team to monitor and maintain the ceasefire. A defense ministerial level meeting is expected to take place on the final day of the talks with representatives from the US and China attending. The question now is how the talks will progress as Thailand and Cambodia continue to trade barbs. The Cambodian Defense Ministry on Sunday night claimed that the Thai military is planning to launch attacks along the border, but a Thai military spokesperson dismissed the claim. Fighting between the nations broke out on July 24th, but the ceasefire deal was struck four days later in negotiations mediated by other countries, including this year’s ASEAN chair, Malaysia. For more, we are joined by our bank correspondent, Takal Kachkashi, who’s been tracking the story. So, Chukashi, it has been a week since the truce. So, has the fighting stopped along the border? There have been no reports of major clashes or attacks on civilians like the ones we saw late late last month. But I would have to say the tensions are still high and the ceasefire has been fragile. Some scaffolds have been reported since the day to the truth took effect. Both sides have accused the other of breaching the ceasefire agreement and both have denied this. At the same time, the two nations have have been keen to gain international understanding. Both organized visits to the border area last week, inviting foreign envoys and international media. Defense officials showed the damage they say came from the clashes and claimed they are honoring the ceasefire. Last month, armed armed clashes erupted at many locations in the disputed border region. Both countries are at odds over the alleged treatment of Cambodian soldiers captured by Thailand. So officials have sat down to talk about uh the ceasefire. What can we expect from the dialogue? Well, one of the key key issues is the deploy deployment of a monitoring team which will be crucial to keep the ceasefire in place. This year’s Asen chair, Malaysia is expected to lead the team if Thailand and Cambodia agree to maintain a ceasefire in this week’s meetings. But even if the truth holds, it’s not easy for the two countries to overcome their animosity for each other. The tensions have been simmering since May 28th when troops briefly exchanged fire, killing one Cambodian soldier. That was followed by a string of spats. These included leaked phone arguments between the leaders and the explosion of landmines that Thailand accused Cambodia or bearing recently. Both countries tightened border controls, restricting the movements of people and goods. The territorial disputes have persisted on both countries for over a century. Major armed clashes broke out back in 2011. Three years after a border temple was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, more than 20 were killed. Now the very root of the crisis which is a dispute over the border demarcation doesn’t show any sign of being resolved. So the talks in Malaysia are just the beginning of a long process for the n for the neighbors to mend their relationship which is one of the key factors in maintaining maintaining stability and economic exchanges in the region. Thank you Chkashi.
The Asian nations are discussing how to maintain a ceasefire after border clashes. NHK World’s Takaoka Chikashi says longtime animosities will make the path ahead uncertain. #asia #thailand #cambodia #analysis
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