Perspective on Thai-Cambodia Border Clashes
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 25 Apr 2011
Emma Leslie – TRANSCEND Media Service
1. This is the moment for Thai and Cambodian leaders to rise above politics, and bring together two nations with shared history, culture and religious traditions, putting people first.
2. The most immediate need is a permanent ceasefire as called for by the United Nations in February, as called for by both Thai and Cambodian civil society groups, and as hoped for by Thai and Khmer communities along the border (including soldiers, monks and small scale business people). Ceasefire practically means no troop movements, no troop build up, no weapons use, no provocations, no accusations. The welfare of the Thai and Khmer people along the borders is paramount, and the peace and prosperity for border communities should be the primary concern of decision makers in Bangkok and Phnom Penh.
3. Negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia need to continue within the context of the ASEAN family. There needs to be empathy and understanding about the fact that ‘third party mediation’ is politically sensitive in Thailand, and that practically speaking Indonesian peacekeepers is a non-starter.
4. Recognizing that Cambodia will not relinquish ‘ownership’ of the Preah Vihear temple, gestures to share management of the temple with Thailand, UNESCO and others should be considered as a serious and viable resolution to the temple dispute. There is also already a precedent for this in the Angkor Wat committee, which oversees the management of the temples, where Thailand is represented. For this to happen the Thai Parliament needs to ratify the minutes of the existing joint working group and plans for economic development of the 4.7 kilometer area should be fast tracked.
5. Cluster munitions were used in the border clashes in February. Thailand and Cambodia must push for progress by immediately signing, ratifying and implementing the Convention of Cluster Munitions. They should end the quibbling over definitions and join the international community in embracing this protocol for the good of people[1].
6. Media in both Thailand and Cambodia need to consider the impact of irresponsible reporting. Rumour mongering and projecting nationalistic sentiment should be minimized, and stories which have the potential to escalate the conflict should be verified. Communications between media personnel in both countries is encouraged.
7. The Thai Cambodia conflict has the potential to escalate. 70% of Cambodia’s population is under 30 years of age. They have not experienced war, they are largely unemployed with limited education. They are fiercely nationalistic and easily mobilized for war. Provocation of this explosive situation is highly dangerous and should be taken into consideration each time fighting breaks out on the border.
Note:
[1] They should consider doing this in time for the 11th Meeting of State Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty to be held in Phnom Penh in November 2011.
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Emma Leslie:
– Convener of the TRANSCEND Network for the Southeast Asian Region.
-Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Phnom Penn-Cambodia. www.centrepeaceconflictstudies.org
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 25 Apr 2011.
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