Obama Meets Jiabao At Bali Summit, Says Must Work Hand In Hand

By STAFF Reporter
November 19, 2011

ASEAN NEWS - United states President Barack Obama had a meeting on the sidelines of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Bali (Indonesia) on Friday with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

In the brief talks Obama focused on increasing the US influence in the region when China is seen wielding growing power.

This was the last engagment of Obama before wrapping up his nine-day tour to Asia. A meeting with South Asian leaders including China, India and Russia was followed.

This is the first time a US president attended East Asia Summit

Asean is Southeasian Asian countries' regional bloc along with eight dialogue partners. Russia and United States joined from this year.

Formal statements are yet to arrive but it is learned from other media sources the talks may have been dominated by trade and maritime security - in particular the South China Sea contentious issue.

The South China Sea got oil and gas reserves potential and also its an important shipping route. The whole of the sea is claimed by China and parts of it are also claimed by other South East Asian nations.

Philippines asked Washington to step in and help in solving the row, but Surin Pitsuwan - Asean secretary general - said the issue can be resolved peacefully by themselves.

Obama pledged on Thursday of increasing the United States engagement with the region along with a strong military presence that includes US Marines deployment to Australia.

ASEAN 2011 News Video




US President cements ties with Australia:






US President boosts military presence in Australia:






ASEAN Protests in Bali (Indonesia):

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November 19, 2011 | 0 comments

Thai To Review Ties With Cambodia In Wake Of Fresh Border Clash

By ONE Liners Agency

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva orders for a fresh review of the nations tie with neighbor Cambodia in the wake of re-clashes in the border between the two countries.

The proposal for the review came from Thailand Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Tuesday at the weekly Cabinet meeting.

According to government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn, the Cabinet resolved that border dispute will only be confined to dispute and not clashes as it is seen for past few days.

Wattanayagorn also added that Thailand government would cooperate with international organizations and all the relevant agencies. He said the military would take retaliatory action in pushing out the Cambodian soldiers from disputed areas and also diplomatic measures to be taken to bring Cambodian government to bilateral talks.

Spokesman believed further that after the two countries' meet in the sideline of ASEAN summit in Indonesia, the situation would improve. ASEAN will be held on May 7 and 8. Also, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is scheduled to meet on April 28 the Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa.

It is learned from Wattanayagorn that Thailand and Indonesia may reach to an agreement on the deployment of Indonesian observers at the disputed border areas.

Meanwhile, for the fifth consecutive day fighting erupted between Thai and Cambodia soldiers along the mountainous disputed border.

Thai as well as Cambodia spokesmen said the fight broke out near the 11th Century hill-top Preah Vihear temple today.

Last four days the fight was around Ta Krabey temple, 160km to the west.

In the five days violence between the two countries at least twelve soldiers have been killed.

Due to recent fighting about 36,000 people have been displaced.

Calling for ceasefire, UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday that both the countries need to resolve the crisis through serious dialogue and not through military means.

In February about ten people were killed in violence around Preah Vihear temple.

Even after international court awarding the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, both the neighbors claim for the ownership of the surrounding area.

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April 26, 2011 | 0 comments