Malaysia considers mediating in neighbors’ dispute

Written by Writer on Friday, October 17th, 2008

Malaysia considers mediating in neighbors’ dispute

Julia Zappei , The Associated Press , Kuala Lumpur | Fri, 10/17/2008 12:46 PM | World

Malaysia is considering a mediation role in the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia that has killed two soldiers and led to fears of outright war.

Foreign Minister Rais Yatim will try to get Cabinet approval Friday to visit Cambodia and Thailand, where fighting erupted between the Southeast Asian neighbors over land surrounding the centuries-old Preah Vihear temple, said Rais’ aide, who declined to be named citing policy.

“As a friendly neighbor to both countries, we must do all we can to prevent the situation from getting out of hand,” Rais was quoted as saying Thursday by the national news agency Bernama.

His aide confirmed the comments. He said Rais had talked to Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to offer Malaysia’s help.

Rais reportedly said Surin also had asked one or two other countries to help resolve the conflict.

Cambodian and Thai army commanders met Thursday in Thailand and agreed to hold joint-border patrols but said they will not withdraw their troops.

In a separate development, Rais said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon had asked Malaysia to consider discussions with Myanmar on human rights, in particular the detention of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for more than 12 of the past 19 years, Bernama reported.