World powers hail release of Cambodian soldiers, urge peace

King Norodom Sihamoni (6-L)and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk grant a royal audience to the 18 Cambodian soldiers who have returned from Thailand, at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, yesterday. AKP

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Synopsis: The US expresses support for Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire and peace accords, a message echoed by countries around the globe.

The United States welcomed Thailand’s release of 18 Cambodian soldiers as a “positive step” towards rebuilding neighbourly relations and trust between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

Washington expressed support for the efforts of the Cambodian and Thai governments to uphold the ceasefire and implement the Kuala Lumpur peace agreement, a message echoed by France, Australia, Japan, the European Union, Turkey, the UK and Germany. The international community urged continued dialogue, restraint and respect for the commitments to ensure lasting peace and regional stability.

Thailand on Wednesday returned 18 Cambodian soldiers who were illegally captured on July 29, hours after the two countries signed a ceasefire agreement to end five days of border war. The release followed the outcome of the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC).

In a statement yesterday, Thomas “Tommy” Pigott, spokesman for the US State Department of State, said his country welcomes the efforts of the Cambodian and Thai governments to uphold the December 27 ceasefire agreement.

“This demonstrates both countries’ commitments to lasting peace by implementing the provisions of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords. We welcome Thailand’s release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers as a positive step towards rebuilding neighbourly relations and trust,” he said.

“The United States stands ready to support the Cambodian and Thai governments as they resume the critical implementation measures agreed to in the October 26 Joint Declaration.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs yesterday issued a statement welcoming the release of the soldiers who had been detained in Thailand since July.

“Their return to Cambodia marks a significant step in the implementation of the ceasefire between the two countries, which has been in effect since December 27 following the meeting of the General Border Committee,” the statement said.

To consolidate the ceasefire and ensure the full implementation of the declaration signed in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, France encouraged both parties to continue dialogue and fully comply with their international commitments, particularly in the areas of demining, the return of displaced populations and the fight against online scams.

The ministry called on both sides to continue taking all necessary measures to achieve a peaceful resolution of the dispute, in full respect of international law and with guarantees for the protection of civilian populations on both sides of the border.

“Alongside both countries and the ASEAN Chairmanship, France will continue to support efforts towards a lasting peace,” the statement concluded.

The Turkish Embassy in Phnom Penh called the freeing of the soldiers a “step towards a solid ceasefire that will contribute to peace and stability”.

German Ambassador to Cambodia Stefan Messerer called the event a progressive step towards a more resilient ceasefire.

“This development marks a positive shift and creates an opportunity to rebuild trust. Germany remains fully committed to supporting peaceful dialogue and long-term stability,” he said.

The Australian Embassy said in a statement that Thailand had taken “positive step that will help to rebuild confidence and trust between Cambodia and Thailand. Australia urges both sides to continue to uphold commitments made at the 27 December Special GBC meeting. Peace and stability in our region are in all our interests.”

Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Atsushi Ueno said hailed the release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers.

“I hope the ceasefire will be maintained and the tensions between Cambodia and Thailand will be further reduced,” he said.

EU Ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesmans said the release of the Cambodian soldiers constitutes a welcome development and represents a significant step in fostering mutual trust between Cambodia and Thailand.

“The European Union calls for the continued good-faith implementation of the commitments undertaken at the Special GBC meeting of 27 December,” he said.

British Ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams said: “This is a positive development. The UK continues to encourage Cambodia and Thailand to take further steps to de-escalate tensions between their peoples and to build lasting peace.”

Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, spokeswoman for the Ministry of National Defence, said: “Cambodia strongly hopes that this release will make an important contribution to building confidence and trust, as well as creating a favourable environment for promoting peace, stability, cooperation, development and the normalisation of relations, for the benefit of both countries and their peoples in the near future.”

The soldiers received a hero’s welcome on Wednesday from Cambodians. Senate President Hun Sen met with the 18 soldiers and their families yesterday in Phnom Penh.

Mr Hun Sen was moved to tears by the warm welcome Cambodians showed the soldiers, describing it as a profound demonstration of the Cambodian people’s solidarity with those serving on the front lines.

King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk granted an audience to the soldiers in the Royal Palace. During the ceremony, the King and Queen Mother commended the men for their bravery under difficult conditions and presented each soldier with a royal gift package and 20 million riel. A soldier preparing for marriage received an extra 20 million riel, while two soldiers whose spouses are expecting children each received an additional five million riel.

-Khmer Times-