BANGKOK, Thailand – Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Russ Jalichandra addressed the matter of Cambodia swiftly arranging a visit for diplomats and military attachés to the border area following the recent ceasefire.
He explained that Cambodia was able to organize the tour so quickly because it has consistently initiated acts of aggression. As the party responsible for starting the clashes, Cambodian authorities would possess better knowledge of when it would be safe to enter the area. In contrast, Thailand has acted with restraint, adhering strictly to the principles of self-defense under international law.
The vice minister stated that Thailand must first conduct a thorough security assessment and ensure that Cambodia will not violate the ceasefire agreement again before it can safely escort foreign diplomats to the region. He confirmed that Thailand will arrange its own tour for the diplomatic corps tomorrow, August 1st. (NNT)
