Marty was responding to Thai Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan`s statement recently that his country`s military did not want the planned presence of Indonesian observers in the disputed border area.
"Indonesia is the best facilitator for this issue not only because of its position as ASEAN Chair but also its track record back in the 1990s when it helped solve the domestic conflict in Cambodia," the minister said here on Saturday.
He also said Cambodia fully supported Indonesia`s role as a negotiator since the latter had received a mandate from the UN Security Council stating that Cambodia and Thailand had to negotiate bilaterally but with the appropriate engagement of Indonesia as the ASEAN chair.
The minister expressed disappointment about the Thai military`s stance on the issue of Indonesian observers for the disputed border area.
"We don/t understand. If Thailand wishes to have a ceasefire in the border why should they hesitate to receive Indonesian observers," he said.
Asked if Cambodia would follow Thailand`s wish to solve the border problem without the presence of Indonesian observers, the minister said Cambodia still wanted Indonesia to play a role in the negotiation process.
"We (Cambodia and Thailand) have negotiated for years but we haven`t reached any agreement yet. Therefore, we need an outside party or mediator and the best outsider is Indonesia as ASEAN`s chair," he said.
Earlier, the Bangkok Post reported that Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and the commander of all Thai armed forces had resolved not to allow Indonesian observers to enter the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area on the Thai-Cambodian border.
Gen Prayuth said the top brass wanted the Thai-Cambodian conflict to be solved by bilateral negotiations between the two countries, without outside involvement.
He said the army had made a proposal to Cambodia through the Foreign Ministry that if there were to be joint checkpoints in the disputed area, then a special centre should be set up to coordinate their operation.
The coordination centre must be manned by Thai and Cambodian soldiers only. It was not necessary to have Indonesian observers.
If Cambodia insisted on having Indonesian observers, they should be allowed to perform their duty only outside the disputed area, Gen Prayuth said.
"Why do they want to enter the disputed area? It`s not safe there. The question is, if Indonesian observers come, will they be able to order Cambodian soldiers not to violate the Memorandum of Understanding?" he said.
The army chief was firm in his stand that the Thai-Cambodian conflict over the ancient Preah Vihear temple area was a matter to be solved by Thailand and Cambodia, and that Indonesia or any other third country should not be involved.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
