Members of the Security Council expressed their grave concern about the recent armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa at a UN Security Council meeting in New York recently called for a peaceful solution to the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

"The sound of gunfire shall not be heard again in the Southeast Asia region," said the minister according to a press release received here on Tuesday.

Marty who came to New York to perform Indonesia`s role as chairman of ASEAN stated in front of members of the council that he had visited Phnom Penh and Bangkok y last February 7-8 to encourage the two parties to solve their problems peacefully.

The minister said during his visit last week he had gained the impression that both Thailand and Cambodia had a commitment to solve their conflict peacefully. Marty added both countries had also admitted the need to stabilize the situation on their border and ensure the continuation of the ceasefire there.

The foreign affairs ministers of ASEAN member countries will meet in Jakarta next February 22 to discuss follow up action of the UN meeting.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council voiced "grave concern" on Monday about Thai-Cambodian border clashes this month but decided to leave the issue in the hands of ASEAN.

Cambodia had asked the council to order the deployment of U.N. peace keepers to the border. But the 15-nation body made clear in a statement its role would be limited to supporting "bilateral efforts and regional efforts" to negotiate an end to the conflict.

"Members of the Security Council expressed their grave concern about the recent armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand," Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Brazil`s U.N. ambassador and council president this month, told reporters.

She said council members urged Cambodia and Thailand to show "maximum restraint and avoid any action that may aggravate the situation," while continuing to cooperate with ASEAN mediators to resolve the dispute peacefully.

Thailand and Cambodia blame each other for the clashes near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple that killed at least three Thais and eight Cambodians. At least 34 Thais and 55 Cambodians were wounded, according to the two sides.

Cambodia had asked the Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the issue. Council members initially resisted allowing the dispute to come to New York but eventually agreed to Monday`s meeting, council envoys said.

They now hope the issue will stay with ASEAN, they said.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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