This is reaction from MFA of Singapore on 22 April, 2011 on the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in the morning on the same day.
MFA SPOKESMAN'S COMMENTS
In response to media queries on the border clashes
between Cambodia and Thailand today, the MFA spokesman said:
“We are deeply concerned by the clashes, and call on both
countries to exercise restraint. We urge Cambodia and Thailand to
resolve their differences through negotiations. Singapore supports
the efforts by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa who has
been in touch with his Cambodian and Thai counterparts after the
clashes today. Indonesia, as ASEAN Chair, has been actively
facilitating dialogue between the two countries to resolve their
differences peacefully. This is important for the long term
relationship of Cambodia and Thailand, as well as in the broader
interests of ASEAN.”
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
22 APRIL 2011
4.25.2011
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Asean Sec-Gen, press statement on Thailand-Cambodia
Press Statement of Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of Asean, calling for a peaceful resolution between Thailand and Cambodia
"No Alternative to Genuine Border Talks" --Surin
"The world and ASEAN have been alarmed by the new outbreak of violent and fatal clashes along the Cambodian-Thai border. The appeal for restraint and a quick return to the negotiatiing table will become louder from the ASEAN and Dialogue Partners. I can only add my voice to that call for a peaceful solution to a long simmering tension between our two ASEAN Member States. There is really no other alternative to a genuine dialogue between the two sides, " said Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan has worked hard behind the scene to support Indonesia, the current Chair of ASEAN, to convene the unprecedented February 22 meeting in Jakarta of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers devoted specifically to the bilateral border conflicts between the two ASEAN neighbors, Cambodia and Thailand.
"We thought we had responded effectively to the call of the UN Security Council's of February 14 with our own ASEAN's approach to the problem of our two member states," said Dr. Surin, who is a former Foreign Minister of Thailand.
"The renewed fighting not only disappointed the other ASEAN Member States, we have also failed the world in its expectation of all of us."
"Not only tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border having to suffer the consequences of displacement and evacuation away from the on-going violence, we also risk the judgment of the global community that its faith and confidence in us have been misplaced. That will, unfortunately, have a very negative impact on our region as a whole, " Dr. Surin lamented.
"No Alternative to Genuine Border Talks" --Surin
"The world and ASEAN have been alarmed by the new outbreak of violent and fatal clashes along the Cambodian-Thai border. The appeal for restraint and a quick return to the negotiatiing table will become louder from the ASEAN and Dialogue Partners. I can only add my voice to that call for a peaceful solution to a long simmering tension between our two ASEAN Member States. There is really no other alternative to a genuine dialogue between the two sides, " said Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan has worked hard behind the scene to support Indonesia, the current Chair of ASEAN, to convene the unprecedented February 22 meeting in Jakarta of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers devoted specifically to the bilateral border conflicts between the two ASEAN neighbors, Cambodia and Thailand.
"We thought we had responded effectively to the call of the UN Security Council's of February 14 with our own ASEAN's approach to the problem of our two member states," said Dr. Surin, who is a former Foreign Minister of Thailand.
"The renewed fighting not only disappointed the other ASEAN Member States, we have also failed the world in its expectation of all of us."
"Not only tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border having to suffer the consequences of displacement and evacuation away from the on-going violence, we also risk the judgment of the global community that its faith and confidence in us have been misplaced. That will, unfortunately, have a very negative impact on our region as a whole, " Dr. Surin lamented.
Statement of MFA of Thailand on the clash at the Thai-Cambodia border on 24 April 2011
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand regarding the unprovoked armed attacks by Cambodian troops at the Thai-Cambodia border on 24 April 2011
April 24, 2011, 10:27 pm
With regard to the repeated unprovoked armed attacks on 24 April 2011 by Cambodian troops on Thai soldiers and civilians, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand wishes to state the following:
1. From 03.00 – 03.10 hrs., the Thai Military Patrol Unit detected a group of Cambodian troops advancing into the area of Ta Kwai Temple and Ta Muen Temples close to the Thai front line in Surin Province. Without warning, the Cambodian troops opened fire with small arms prompting the Thai troops to return fire with rifles.
2. At 09.45 hrs., the Cambodian troops again opened fire into the area of Ta Muen Temples in the Thai territory, this time using heavy weapons, including mortars, artilleries, and tank cannons. The Thai troops responded initially with small arms and later were forced to react proportionately with mortars and artilleries, while the Cambodian troops continued to fire at the Thai troops along the Thai defensive line.
3. At 11.45 hrs., the Cambodian troops tried to invade the Thai territory by mobilizing its troops into the Ta Muen Temples supported by firing heavy weapons, with an aim to seize and take control over the Ta Muen Temples. The Thai troops repulsed the advance of the Cambodian troops. The exchange of fires stopped at 12.45 hrs.
4. At 15.25 hrs., the Cambodian troops resumed firing repeatedly using heavy weapons including mortars and artilleries into the area of Ta Muen Temples. The Thai troops responded by firing mortars and the Cambodian troops started firing artilleries at the Thai side. The exchange of fires continued until 17.00 hrs.
5. Since 22 April 2011, the Cambodian troops have moved two battalions of troops from a military base at Phra Viharn Temple into the area near Ta Muen Temples. It has been further reported on 24 April 2011 that the Cambodian military at all levels were instructed to completely reject any direct contact or talk with the Thai counterpart.
6. The Ministry steadfastly maintains that the Thai side has never opened fire first and has always exercised utmost restraint. Nevertheless, the Cambodian acts of aggression left Thailand with no choice but to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity by using proportionate means with necessity, under international law, and strictly directed at only military targets.
7. Thailand, once again, protests in the strongest terms the repeated unprovoked armed attacks of Cambodia which are in clear violation of international law and Charter of United Nations. Thailand, therefore, strongly condemns all the aforementioned Cambodia’s acts of aggression, and calls on the Cambodian side to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue under existing bilateral mechanisms.
8. Thailand has instructed all of its diplomatic missions to inform their host governments.
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/35.php?id=27152
April 24, 2011, 10:27 pm
With regard to the repeated unprovoked armed attacks on 24 April 2011 by Cambodian troops on Thai soldiers and civilians, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand wishes to state the following:
1. From 03.00 – 03.10 hrs., the Thai Military Patrol Unit detected a group of Cambodian troops advancing into the area of Ta Kwai Temple and Ta Muen Temples close to the Thai front line in Surin Province. Without warning, the Cambodian troops opened fire with small arms prompting the Thai troops to return fire with rifles.
2. At 09.45 hrs., the Cambodian troops again opened fire into the area of Ta Muen Temples in the Thai territory, this time using heavy weapons, including mortars, artilleries, and tank cannons. The Thai troops responded initially with small arms and later were forced to react proportionately with mortars and artilleries, while the Cambodian troops continued to fire at the Thai troops along the Thai defensive line.
3. At 11.45 hrs., the Cambodian troops tried to invade the Thai territory by mobilizing its troops into the Ta Muen Temples supported by firing heavy weapons, with an aim to seize and take control over the Ta Muen Temples. The Thai troops repulsed the advance of the Cambodian troops. The exchange of fires stopped at 12.45 hrs.
4. At 15.25 hrs., the Cambodian troops resumed firing repeatedly using heavy weapons including mortars and artilleries into the area of Ta Muen Temples. The Thai troops responded by firing mortars and the Cambodian troops started firing artilleries at the Thai side. The exchange of fires continued until 17.00 hrs.
5. Since 22 April 2011, the Cambodian troops have moved two battalions of troops from a military base at Phra Viharn Temple into the area near Ta Muen Temples. It has been further reported on 24 April 2011 that the Cambodian military at all levels were instructed to completely reject any direct contact or talk with the Thai counterpart.
6. The Ministry steadfastly maintains that the Thai side has never opened fire first and has always exercised utmost restraint. Nevertheless, the Cambodian acts of aggression left Thailand with no choice but to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity by using proportionate means with necessity, under international law, and strictly directed at only military targets.
7. Thailand, once again, protests in the strongest terms the repeated unprovoked armed attacks of Cambodia which are in clear violation of international law and Charter of United Nations. Thailand, therefore, strongly condemns all the aforementioned Cambodia’s acts of aggression, and calls on the Cambodian side to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue under existing bilateral mechanisms.
8. Thailand has instructed all of its diplomatic missions to inform their host governments.
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/35.php?id=27152
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