Secretary-General Calls for Dialogue as Cambodian, Thai Troops Clash Again

 

The following statement was issued on 23 April by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is troubled by reports of renewed fighting in the past two days between Cambodian and Thai troops along the two countries’ common border, which has reportedly claimed numerous lives from both sides.  He had been encouraged by the initial signs of progress in regional efforts to strengthen bilateral mechanisms for dealing with the dispute between the two neighbours.

The Secretary-General calls on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and to take immediate measures to put in place an effective and verifiable ceasefire.  He also believes that the dispute cannot be resolved by military means and urges Cambodia and Thailand to engage in serious dialogue to find a lasting solution.

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For information media • not an official record