The decision to send observers was made based on an invitation from both Cambodia and Thailand for the presence of observers from Indonesia in its capacity as the current ASEAN chair.
"We will send the team within the few days or weeks. Their job will be to assist and support both Cambodia and Thailand in respecting their commitment to avoid further armed clashes in the border area. We will observe and make reports about the latest situation there including if there is any violation of the ceasefire commitment," said the minister here on Tuesday at a press conference after meeting with his ASEAN counterparts.
Marty said the observer team would then submit the report to both Cambodia and Thailand as well as to Indonesia as chair of ASEAN to be reviewed.
Asked about the number of observers to be dispatched to both Cambodia and Thailand area, Marty said it was not yet being discussed.
"What we are doing now is sending a small team to the conflicted area with purpose to give recommendation about the numbers of personnel that we shall send there," he said adding that members of the observer team would primarily consist of unarmed military personnel with one or two diplomats from the Foreign Affairs Ministry in each side.
Marty expressed appreciation towards the trust given by Thailand and Cambodia to Indonesia to engage with the peace process in the disputed area.
Cambodia and Thailand have had border conflict just a week after Cambodia`s Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.
The conflict is due to Thai claim of the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple. The latest clashes on Feb. 4-7, unleashed a barrage of artillery shells on both sides of the border, had killed and wounded many soldiers and citizens of both sides, and caused tens of thousands of the two countries` villagers nearby the disputed areas fleeing for safe shelters.(*)
A051/HAJM/S012
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
