ASEAN to discuss Cambodia request for mediation in border row

Jul 22, 2008, 4:53 GMT

Singapore - Foreign ministers of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) met Tuesday to discuss a request by Cambodia to mediate in its border row with Thailand.

ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said the ministers of the 10-country grouping met on the sidelines of its annual meetings to discuss the tension among its two members.

'It's unfortunate that we have to deal with the issues of two neighbours but we cannot control the situation,' he said. 'Whether or not the situation is dangerous, that has to be assessed.'

A meeting on Monday between a joint border committee of Cambodia and Thailand did not produce satisfactory results, prompting Phnom Penh to seek the help of ASEAN in resolving the issue.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong, who was not present in the ASEAN meeting, asked Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo, current chair of ASEAN, to mediate in the dispute.

On Sunday, the ASEAN ministers urged its two bickering members to exercise utmost restraint and to settle the problem amicably and offered the facilities of ASEAN to hasten the resolution of the row.

Nearly 1,000 Cambodian troops and 500 Thai soldiers continue to face each other on the disputed territory since the tension began a week ago.