Thai, Cambodia leaders sign expanded ceasefire deal with Trump present

The Star

The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia signed an enhanced ceasefire deal on Sunday (Oct 26) in the presence of US President Donald Trump, who intervened in July to bring an end to their deadly five-day border conflict.   The agreement was signed soon after Trump's arrival at the Asean Summit and related summits in Kuala Lumpur.   Read more at https://tinyurl.com/37pmynjx   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news  SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar  LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

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00:00This is a momentous day for all of the people of Southeast Asia

00:05as we sign a historic agreement to end the military conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

00:12And we're so honored to be involved in that.

00:15It's so important to me.

00:17Two great countries, but they were going at it.

00:21I want to congratulate the two courageous leaders, and that's what they are.

00:25They were courageous.

00:26I also want to thank Prime Minister Anwar of Malaysia.

00:31I called him right at the beginning, and I said,

00:33you know, you have two countries that are fighting right next to you.

00:36We need a third place.

00:37We need sort of a neutral place, right?

00:40And he was there, and I said to him, you know,

00:43if we get this solved, I'm coming to your country.

00:47And I told the truth, didn't I?

00:49A lot of times they say that, and that's the last you ever see.

00:52But I felt I had an obligation to come because you were so great,

00:55and the two men alongside of you are so great.

00:57Historic figures now, really historic figures.

01:00I held phone calls with both leaders.

01:03I was actually at Turnberry in Scotland when I did this.

01:07And we had a lot of phone calls, the three of us and then the four of us.

01:13At the end of July, after extremely productive discussions,

01:16we reached a ceasefire agreement.

01:18Now these gentlemen are about to sign what we're calling the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.

01:25Good name.

01:26Both countries are agreeing to cease all hostilities

01:30and work to build good neighborly relationships, which have already started.

01:34Eighteen Cambodian prisoners of war will be released.

01:40And under this agreement, observers from ASEAN countries, including Malaysia,

01:46will be deployed to make sure that the peace prevails and endures.

01:50I have no doubt that it will.

01:51The three men sitting there should really be credited with having done just an incredible job for humanity.

01:57Thank you all very much.

01:58It's an honor to have worked with you.

02:00Appreciate it.

02:01Thank you, President Donald Trump, for giving us this honor.

02:08And on behalf of, of course, Malaysia and our colleagues in ASEAN,

02:12I must thank you for your concern, for your empathy,

02:16and for your commitment to support this peace deal.

02:19When I first received your call and then urging me to do more supporting our initiative,

02:25and you personally did call both Prime Ministers to urge for a speedy peace settlement,

02:35I would say a great thank you.

02:38And we, of course, admire your tenacity, your courage,

02:42because the world needs leaders who promote peace strongly.

02:47Today marks a historic moment, profound, significant for Cambodia and Thailand.

02:53A day that reaffirmed our shared conviction that peace is always possible,

02:58when nations have the courage and wisdom to pursue it together.

03:02On behalf of the Cambodian peoples, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to President Donald J. Trump

03:09for his decisive leadership and steadfast commitment to supporting the lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand,

03:17and for his tireless efforts to make it a reality.

03:21I also wish to convey my sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Anbar

03:26for his unwavering support and facilitation throughout this peace process until successful conclusions.

03:36No matter how difficult or complex our dispute may be,

03:40they must always be resolved through peaceful means

03:43in full conformity with existing treaties and international law.

03:48Cambodia reaffirms a strong commitment,

03:51to fully and faithfully implementing these joint declarations,

03:56and to continuing to work closely with Thailand and all our partners

04:00to ensure that this peace endures and brings tangible benefit to our peoples.

04:07At the same time, I hope, I strongly hope for the prompt release of our 18 soldiers

04:12on humanitarian grounds and as agreed in the joint declarations.

04:18Finally, recognizing your unwavering dedications and resolute effort to promote peace,

04:25and not only between Cambodia and Thailand, but also among other nations.

04:29And reflecting the gratitude of the Cambodian peoples,

04:33I have nominated President Donald J. Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

04:37And he, like I say, peace saved life.

04:43And this is the wish of our Cambodian people as appreciations for the President.

04:47Today marks a new chapter for Thailand and Cambodia.

04:53Today we take a concrete step towards peace.

04:58This declaration, if fully implemented, will provide the building blocks for lasting peace.

05:06But more importantly, it will begin the process of mending our ties.

05:12Our border communities have been divided by conflict,

05:16and innocent civilians have suffered immense losses.

05:21This declaration places a firm responsibility, our two parties to act.

05:28I am also pleased that today we announced a joint statement on the framework for US-Thailand agreement

05:34on reciprocal trade, which I hope will facilitate our negotiations on tariffs for conclusion by end of this year.

05:44We will also sign the MOU between our governments on cooperation on critical minerals,

05:52which will further promote resilient and sustainable supply chains for years to come.

05:59Thank you once again.

06:00Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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