Cambodian and Thai leaders hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia
The fighting flared last Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes, that have killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 260,000 people on both sides. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand shut all border crossings with Cambodia, with an exception for migrant Cambodian workers returning home.
Troops from both sides reported ongoing fighting Monday along border areas. Gunfire could be heard as dawn broke in Samrong in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, Associated Press reporters covering the conflict said. Maly Socheata, a Cambodian defense ministry spokesperson, said the Thai assault was "ongoing and strong' on Monday. Anwar said late Sunday that both sides would present their conditions for peace but "what is important is immediate ceasefire.' "I hope this can work,' Anwar was quoted as saying by Malaysian national news agency Bernama.
"Although it's not as bad as many other countries, we have to put a stop (to the violence).' The meeting followed direct pressure from USPresident Donald Trump, who has warned that the United States may not proceed with trade deals with either country if hostilities continue. Before departing for Kuala Lumpur, Phumtham told reporters in Bangkok that representatives from China and the US will also attend as observers.
He said the key focus would be on an immediate ceasefire, but noted trust could be an issue as Cambodia has not stopped its strikes. "We have informed that we don't have trust in Cambodia. All they have done reflect that they are not sincere in solving this problem. So they have to show the detail how they will do to prove their sincerity,' he said.
Officials later said that the Chinese and American ambassadors to Malaysia are attending the meeting. The violence marks a rare instance of open military confrontation between ASEAN member states, a 10-nation regional bloc that has prided itself on non-aggression, peaceful dialogue and economic cooperation.
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