ASEAN agrees to send observers to Thai-Cambodian border

Regional military observers will be sent to the Thai-Cambodian border to enforce a cease-fire imposed after deadly clashes erupted over disputed land surrounding an 11th century temple.The announced followed emergency talks yesterday by Southeast Asian foreign ministers.

The land dispute between Thailand and Cambodia was high on the agenda at an ASEAN leaders meeting yesterday with the 10 member association agreeing to send up to 40 military and civilian observers to a remote, mountainous area surrounding at 11^th century temple.

The conflict has brought misery to thousands of people who have been forced from their homes and 8 people have also died as a result of the dispute.

Dr Apichart Intravisit of Assumption University in Bangkok says ASEAN’s efforts are welcome.

According to Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, the observers, all from Indonesia, will be unarmed and will «observe the commitment by both sides to avoid further armed clashes».

They will also provide accurate and impartial reports about complaints of violations from both sides of the borders and report back to both ASEAN and the U.N. Security Council.

The conflict _ which involved exchanges of small arms, mortars and artillery fire _ is rooted in a decades-old border dispute near Preah Vihear temple and has fuelled nationalist passions on both sides. Here Lydia O'Kane's report here