MALAYSIA MONITORING CLOSELY BORDER INCIDENT BETWEEN CAMBODIA AND THAILAND

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is closely monitoring developments
pertaining to the border incident between Cambodia and Thailand, said the
Foreign Ministry.

In a statement here Monday, the ministry said Malaysia was confident that
the able leadership of both countries would provide a clear way forward towards
an amicable settlement to the dispute through continued dialogues and
negotiations.

Malaysia believes that such approach will be mutually beneficial to the
relationship between the two countries and in line with the spirit of ASEAN
solidarity as enunciated in the ASEAN charter, the statement said.

In this context, Malaysia urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint, it
added.

The ministry said Malaysia also supported the initiative undertaken by Dr
R.M. Marty N. Natalegawa, Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit Phnom
Penh and Bangkok on Feb 7 and 8 respectively given that Indonesia is the current
chair of ASEAN.

The violent conflict between the two neighbouring countries started with
gunfire and artillery duels on Feb 4 near the long disputed site of an ancient
Hindu Temple, Preah Vihear.