Kuala Lumpur, Oct 26 (UNI) Thailand and Cambodia today signed a peace deal, presided over by US President Donand Trump, with both countries agreeing to withdraw heavy weapons from the border and set up an observer team to monitor the ‘’accord.’’
The ‘’deal’’ was signed by Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet. The ceremony was dominated by President Trump who again claimed in his speech to have ended ‘’eight wars in eight months’’ and strongly criticised the United Nations for not doing their job of establishing peace. Trump described the ‘’deal’’ as ‘’historic’’ which could save ‘’millions of lives.’’
Although President Trump described the ‘’deal’ as ‘’Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord,’’ Thailand Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said it was a ‘’pathway to peace’’ and ‘’Joint Declaration” of the outcomes of a Thai-Cambodia meeting. The Thai Foreign Minister however, agreed that the US and Malaysia had facilitated the “Joint Declaration.’’
The two countries had already signed a ceasefire agreement in July under which they had agreed to withdraw heavy weapons from the border and establish an interim observer team to monitor it. Today’s peace deal further strengthens that commitment.
Under today’s agreement both sides also will follow a process for clearing landmines and set up temporary border markers at places which are unmarked.
Thai PM said the “Joint Declaration’’ would provide ” building blocks for lasting peace” if fully implemented. He also assured that Thailand would soon remove weaponry and begin freeing of prisoners of war.
The crisis between the two countries was a border conflict stemming from territorial disputes regarding demarcation of their shared border, especially the area surrounding an ancient Hindu Temple. In 1962, the temple was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice.
Tensions flared up in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief clash between Cambodian and Thai troops with both sides accusing the other of instigating the incident. Tensions heightened further in July when a Thai soldier was wounded after stepping on a landmine. An armed conflict broke out with both nations claiming to be acting in self-defence.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced during the fighting. Direct fighting subsided when a ceasefire went into effect on July 28, allowing diplomatic negotiation to ensue. However, sporadic armed confrontation continued, with both countries accusing the other of violating the agreement.
