22/02/2011
Pichai Chuensuksawadi
Bangkok Post
Over the weekend Thai and Cambodian military commanders reached agreement on several key points aimed at keeping the guns quiet along the disputed border area around Phra Viharn temple.
The government has been quick to say that this is not an official ceasefire. Confusing? Well, yes, and one might ask when is a ceasefire not a ceasefire?
For us ordinary civilians, and especially for the Thai and Cambodian peoples on either side of the border, it does not really matter. Call it what you want – a ceasefire or cessation of hostilities – as long as bullets, mortar and artillery shells do not rain down on their homes and schools, forcing thousands to flee in fear for their lives.
The substance of the agreement reached by the two military delegations is considerable. Both sides agree that no more troops are to be deployed in the conflict zones and the existing troops stationed there must not move. Likewise for heavy armaments and artillery in the conflict area; and neither side may attack the other using heavy weaponry.
They also agreed that no building or structure of any kind may be constructed inside the disputed 4.6 square kilometre border zone; no more military bunkers are to be built; no more road construction is allowed. Senior military officers of both countries are to communicate via a dedicated mobile phone hotline in discussing border issues.
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