By Suthichai Yoon
The Nation
This is probably one of the few cases of an international incident in which diplomats on both sides talk like warriors while their military colleagues hold “peace talks” in the disputed area.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session on Monday on the Thai-Cambodian conflict proceeded more or less along the scripted scenario. It was no more than a long detour for the two parties concerned to return to Square One.
Neither side could claim victory. That was probably the whole idea behind the UNSC members’ decision to invite the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers to offer their versions of what has actually happened.
In the end, it must be a matter for the two sides to try to negotiate an agreement. And if Asean can serve as the facilitator, that would help. But first, a “permanent ceasefire” must be in place and the opposing parties must realise that no third party can effectively resolve the conflict for them.
The Thai prime minister has called them “border skirmishes” but his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen insists it’s a “real war”.
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