U.S. urges Cambodia, Thailand to uphold ceasefire

KUALA LUMPUR: The U.S. condemns any actions by Thailand or Cambodia that violate or undermine the ongoing ceasefire along the border.

U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan urged both countries to take appropriate actions to fully enforce the truce.

Speaking to the media, he also called for neither side to take “provocative actions or make provocative statements that could endanger the progress that is being made so far.”

"We are waiting for there to be an independent mechanism that is best able to adjudicate that," he said.

Kagan was responding to Thailand's allegations that Cambodia breached the ceasefire after a Thai soldier was injured by a landmine along the border.

Cambodia, however, rejected the claims, stressing that it is a proud and responsible State Party to the Ottawa Convention and has not deployed new landmines under any circumstances.

Separately, Kagan praised U.S. cooperation with Malaysia in securing last month's agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, which was reached after five days of deadly clashes.

He was speaking at celebrations marking the 249th U.S. Independence Day at the St Regis Kuala Lumpur, where he reaffirmed Washington's partnership with Putrajaya, as well as the two nations' commitment to peace, freedom and prosperity.

"Our security partnership, our economic partnership, and our very strong people to people ties are the bedrock of what brings us together, so we can solve problems together," he said.