ASEAN FMs EXPECTED TO GET REPORTS ON THAILAND-CAMBODIA BORDER DISPUTE

By Ahmad Fuad Yahya
JAKARTA, May 4 (Bernama) -- Asean foreign ministers are expected to hear
reports on the Thailand-Cambodia border row during its meeting here Thursday
preceding the 18th Asean Summit which is scheduled for two days, on Saturday and
Sunday.

Foreign Ministry secretary-general Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahman said the foreign
ministers of Thailand and Cambodia were expected to present reports on peace
negotiations to resolve the problem.

They will inform Asean on the latest development with regard to the issue,
he told Malaysian journalists here today when asked on the latest effort by
Indonesia and Asean to find a peaceful solution to the border dispute.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr Marty Natalegawa was reported Tuesday as
saying that he had been having good communication with both the Thai and
Cambodian sides.

Two days ago, a Thai soldier was killed during a Thai-Cambodian border
skirmish in Surin, bringing the death toll on the Thai side to 12 since clashes
started 12 days ago.

On whether terrorism would be discussed at the Asean summit, Mohd Radzi said
at the moment there was no indication that it would be the focus agenda.

Prime Minister Najib Razak will be leading the Malaysian delegation to the
summit.

He will be accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Minister Anifah
Aman, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed and other senior
government officials.

Najib will lead the Malaysian delegation at the summit plenary and retreat
sessions, Asean leaders' meeting with Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)
representatives, Asean leaders' informal meeting with youth representatives,
Asean leaders' informal meeting with representatives of civil society
organisations, and the 7th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines Growth Triangle
(BIMP-EAGA) Summit.

During the retreat session of the summit, Asean leaders would, among other
things, be deliberating on matters related to the East Asia Summit (EAS) as the
issue is significant given the involvement of Russia and the United States in
the EAS beginning this year.

Mohd Radzi said the leaders were also expected to touch on how Asean could
speak in a coordinated, coherent and cohesive manner on global issues.

"The leaders are expected to exchange views on issues of common concern,
including how to further promote nuclear safety measures in the region," he
said.

Prior to the summit, Mohd Radzi said Anifah would be leading the Malaysian
delegation to the meetings of the 5th Asean Political Security Community (APSC)
Council, Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) and the 8th Asean Coordinating
Council (ACC), while Mustapa will head the Malaysian delegation at the Asean
Economic Community (AEC) Council.

Mustapa will also attend the First Asean-European Union Business Summit here
tomorrow.