Earlier truce at the instance of Trump was imposed on both with distrust continuing
By Tirthankar Mitra
A ceasefire imposed rather than agreed upon rarely lasts long. The renewed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia is a case in point. A truce brokered earlier this year marked a lull in hostilities. It was pushed on the two neighbouring countries by US President Donald Trump was by no means a settlement. It quietened artillery but deepened resentment. The relapse into hostilities was only matter of time.
The war is not over land so much it is a war over legitimacy. Indeed it is an insignificant terrain -tiny, uninhabited with pockets of scrub and stone. The conflict is centred around who gets to define the national narrative. For Thailand ‘ military defending these slivers is a ritual affirmation of sovereignty.
For Cambodia standing firm against a strong neighbour is a matter of national pride. It also served the political choreography of its leadership circle. The latest escalation was triggered by a minor incident which involved Thai engineering team. It might have been defused by quiet negotiation. But a widening gulf of mistrust came up. Thailand believed that Cambodia continues to act on bad faith, particularly with the new land mines maiming Thai soldiers.
A provocative leak of a confidential phone call that toppled a Thai government added fuel to the fire. Cambodia, on the other hand, insists it is the aggrieved party, boxed in by its powerful neighbour.
Domestic politics on both sides have aggravated the conflict. In Thailand, a fragile minority government have ceded broad autonomy to the military which in its turn views the border conflict as a supply line of indispensability. Public opinion backs a tough approach. It is inflamed by casualties and political humiliation.
International pressure may push the sides towards a ceasefire. But external leverage cannot substitute political will to maintain it. Previous intervention froze the conflict. But the drivers of the escalation remain unresolved.
True de-escalation requires steps neither side appears ready to take. Verifiable cessation of land mine deployment coupled with mutual halt to provocative troop movement and rebuilding of diplomatic channels are the essential pre-,requisites to earn peace. ..
Above all, leaders of both the countries must let go of a temptation to convert border disputes into symbols of national righteousness. Until that happens brief silences will continued to be broken by artillery fire.
Families fleeing, returning again and fleeing again will again be a common sight unless good sense prevails. Territory is not at stake but trust. Trust must be earned. Without it no ceasefire let alone peace can hold. (IPA Service)
