Speaking to reporters at Phnom Penh international airport, Hor Namhong specified that Cambodia will raise this issue at the conference of ASEAN foreign ministers in Jakarta on 22 February 2011, and will call for ASEAN observers to check and investigate the issue.
After returning to Cambodia at 1915 [ on 15 February], the Cambodian chief diplomat on 16 February 2011 morning also told reporters that it is true that to resolve the problem, talks have to be held with Thailand. Talks with Thailand cannot be avoided. Our goal, however, is to have talks with a third party, especially ASEAN, to facilitate and resolve the problem. This is Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen's principle.
Hor Namhong further specified that in the UN Security Council's statement, there was no mention of bilateral talks but Thai Foreign Minister yesterday still talked about bilateral talks.
Hor Namhong pointed out that ahead of the UN Security Council meeting, the Thai side strongly obstructed. Prime Minister Aphisit talked on telephone to the UN Secretary General not to convene the meeting to resolve the problem between the two countries and reasoned that Cambodia and Thailand could resolve the problem bilaterally among themselves. The obstruction, however, was not successful. The Cambodian chief diplomat further said that even before the start of the UN Security Council meeting, the Thai side tried to prevent this UN Security Council meeting from issuing any statement. This attempt failed, however.
Talking about Thailand's third failure, Hor Namhong said that Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen previously asked ASEAN to help resolve the problem. Thailand, however, rejected it at that time. And now the UN Security Council actively supports ASEAN intervention.
Hor Namhong accused Thai leaders of being tricky. Some media outlets even said that Cambodia has rejected the meeting of the Joint Border Committee [JBC] at the end of February.
Concerning this issue, Hor Namhong said that the JBC talks will be held after the UN Security Council meeting. The Thai side, however, has accused the Cambodian National Defense Ministry of rejecting the talks. This is the wishy-washiness of this neighboring country.
Relating to the issue of gunfire and grenade logging last night [ 15 February], the Cambodian chief diplomat fully considered it as aggression and violation of the UN Security Council statement. Therefore, he will propose the presence of ASEAN observers to investigate this issue at the 22 February meting.
Hor Namhong heavily stressed that if Thailand accused Cambodia of opening fire first and of being aggressor, then Thailand should not be afraid of the presence of ASEAN observers.
This very experienced and knowledgeable Cambodian chief diplomat specified to the Thai side that no small country with less weapons and a small population will commit aggression against a big country.
Relating to diplomatic relations, Hor Namhong specified that the relations remain good as normal; there is no change. National issues such as economy, trade, tourism, also remain good. In fact at the coming Cambodian-Thai trade fair, Thai deputy prime minister will come to Cambodia to take part in the event.
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