Trump says Cambodia, Thailand ‘going to be fine’ after calls; Anutin still seeks Phnom Penh apology
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People carrying the coffin of a civilian killed along the Cambodia-Thailand border, amid accusations from both sides on Nov 12 of fresh clashes.
PHOTO: AFP
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- Trump called Thailand and Cambodia to reinforce the peace deal he brokered after renewed clashes occurred.
- Thailand suspended the deal after a landmine blast and both countries accused each other of new clashes.
- Malaysia is also involved in mediating the conflict and Trump co-signed the deal in Kuala Lumpur.
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WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on Nov 14 he thought Thailand and Cambodia were “going to be fine” after he sought to mediate a flare-up in their border dispute, but the Thai leader continued to demand an apology from Phnom Penh.
Thailand this week suspended a US-brokered ceasefire deal
Long-running tensions over a disputed border between the two South-east Asian nations erupted into five days of fighting in July, when at least 48 people were killed and an estimated 300,000 temporarily displaced, before Mr Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim brokered the ceasefire.
“I spoke to the prime ministers of both countries and they’re doing great. I think they’re going to be fine,” Mr Trump told reporters on the evening of Nov 14.
But Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Nov 15 that Bangkok would not adhere to the agreement until Cambodia admitted its violation and issued an apology for the latest incident.
Mr Anutin posted on Facebook after speaking to Mr Trump and Mr Anwar that Thailand has the right to take any action necessary to protect its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people and property from foreign threats.
He said he asked Mr Trump and Mr Anwar, who has been a mediator in the dispute, to tell Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to abide by the agreement and not to interfere in the removal of mines.
Mr Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Nov 15 that Phnom Penh would continue to implement the deal and hoped both sides would continue to work together in accordance with the agreed principles and mechanism.
Mr Trump also engaged with Malaysia on Nov 14, a White House official said.
Mr Anwar posted on X that Cambodia and Thailand were ready to “continue choosing the space for dialogue and diplomatic efforts as an effective path to resolution”. REUTERS
