Trump ‘looking forward’ to Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire deal at Asean summit, Malaysia says
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Thai soldiers and riot police officers confronting Cambodians in a disputed village along the Thailand-Cambodia border on Sept 17.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KUALA LUMPUR – US President Donald Trump will visit Malaysia on Oct 26, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Oct 14, adding that he was “looking forward” to witnessing a ceasefire deal between South-east Asian neighbours Thailand and Cambodia.
Tensions over undemarcated points on the two latter nations’ 817km land border erupted into a deadly five-day conflict
“During the summit, we hope to see the signing of a declaration known as the Kuala Lumpur Accord between these two neighbours to ensure peace and a lasting ceasefire,” Datuk Seri Mohamad told the media.
He was referring to a meeting of leaders of the Asean grouping set to take place from Oct 26 to 28 in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
He said Mr Trump was “looking forward” to witnessing the deal, without giving details of how and when that message had been conveyed.
Four demands made by Bangkok
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current chair of Asean, has said Mr Trump will attend the meetings, but there has been no official confirmation yet from Washington.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a person familiar with the matter said the trip is being planned.
Malaysia brokered an initial ceasefire on July 28 that ended the clashes after a sustained peace push by Datuk Seri Anwar and telephone calls by Mr Trump to leaders of both nations.
Malaysia and the US will facilitate the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, which will require both sides to remove all mines and heavy artillery from their borders, Mr Mohamad said.
On Oct 12, the Thai Foreign Ministry said the foreign ministers of both countries met in Kuala Lumpur at the weekend to discuss the ceasefire, with US and Malaysian officials present.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters on Oct 14 that he would travel to Kuala Lumpur this week for further talks, underlining four demands made by Bangkok.
These include the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the border, landmine clearance in disputed territories, cooperation in combating transnational crime and encroachment in some areas, according to Thai officials.
“Right now, the negotiations are moving forward,” Mr Sihasak said.
A Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters.
The East Asia Summit, to be held during the Asean meeting in October, will issue a chairman’s statement, rather than a joint statement, as the US had objected to the use of the word “inclusivity”, Mr Mohamad added, without elaborating.
Leaders of all 10 members of the grouping and trading partners, such as China, Japan, Russia and the US, will attend the summit. REUTERS
