Saturday, February 19, 2011

Observers See Limited Role for Asean in Dispute

Sok Khemara,
VOA Khmer, Washington, DC
Friday, 18 February 2011

“I see Asean not as a facilitator, but only as an organizer for us to meet.”

With the UN Security Council this week urging Asean mediation in the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, political observers are skeptical the regional body will be able to help.

Cambodia addressed the Security Council on Monday along with Thailand, and the international body urged a ceasefire and a multi-party solution.

That could be difficult, analysts say, especially because Thailand has maintained it wants two-way talks.

Asean foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Jakarta on Tuesday, and that could provide a useful venue, even if Asean cannot resolve the dispute, said Kem Sokha, head of the minority opposition Human Rights Party.

“I see Asean not as a facilitator, but only as an organizer for us to meet,” Kem Sokha said.

However, he said that without a third-party mediator, the status quo will likely remain.

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