Prominent analyst Kin Phea has shared his belief that the US is still keeping a close eye on the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire, noting that President Trump has backed it since it was first mooted.
Trump sent an August 20 letter to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to thank him for nominating him [Trump] for the Nobel Peace Prize.
“It was a great honour to speak with you to help end the fighting with Thailand. Cambodia has a long and storied history and culture. I can tell that you are a strong leader who values human life and appreciates peace,” said the letter, released by Manet yesterday, August 27.
“I am proud to be a part of the cease-fire deal that ended the horrible fighting and saved thousands of lives. Now we can focus on prosperity for our two great countries,” he added.
Manet praised Trump’s involvement in the ceasefire.’
“Just as was indicated in the letter, the effective and timely personal intervention of President Donald Trump, which contributed greatly to a quick ceasefire between Cambodian and Thai troops, has saved many lives,” he said.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that based on Trump’s letter, the US is likely to be monitoring the ceasefire situation closely.
“This letter is a message to Thailand, especially its military, to implement the ceasefire steadfastly and fully and sincerely. The US is not ignoring the ceasefire. Thailand keep violating the truce. Since it was signed, Thai forces illegally arrested Cambodian soldiers and placed them in custody. It has been 30 days since they were captured, just eight hours after the ceasefire,” he said.
He added that since the ceasefire, Thailand has placed razor wire barricades inside Cambodian territory, Cambodian villagers’ access to their homes and rice fields Chok Chey village, of Banteay Meanchey province’s O’Beichoan commune. He described these actions as “brutal and unjust”.
“All of the actions carried out by Thai military construe a serious insult to the ceasefire and the efforts of the international community. They are also trampling on the honour of President Trump, who initiated the ceasefire,” he said.
“We sincerely urge the US, especially President Trump, to continue to pay close attention to the ceasefire and place heavy pressure on Thailand and their military to implement it effectively and sincerely, especially as the US, Malaysia and China are involved as monitors,” he continued.
