Cambodia will nominate former US President Donald Trump for the Nobel peace prize, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol announced. Chanthol, who also serves as Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), said the nomination recognizes Trump's role in brokering an end to the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, which he said "saved thousands of lives."
Chanthol emphasized that Washington not only mediated the ceasefire negotiations between Phnom Penh and Bangkok but also continues to monitor and promote lasting peace, bringing stability back to the region.
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Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol at a press conference on 1/8 in Phnom Penh. Photo: Fresh News |
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol at a press conference on 1/8 in Phnom Penh. Photo: Fresh News
"He deserves the Nobel not only for his contributions in Cambodia, but also in many other places. As Cambodian citizens, we deeply admire and sincerely thank the US President—the President of Peace," Chanthol said, adding that the Cambodian government will soon submit the nomination to the Nobel Committee in Norway.
The border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand erupted on 24/7. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as ASEAN Chair, called the leaders of both countries, urging an immediate ceasefire to avoid hostilities and create space for peaceful dialogue and a diplomatic solution.
However, fighting between the two countries continued to escalate. On 25/7, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Thailand did not need third-party mediation. It wasn't until 26/7, when President Trump called Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, that Bangkok changed its stance.
Cambodia and Thailand reached a ceasefire agreement on 28/7 after talks in Malaysia facilitated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The following day, leaders of the Thai and Cambodian military regions met and agreed to implement the ceasefire, halting further deployments or troop movements along the border. The ceasefire has largely held, despite some minor incidents in the initial days.
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President Donald Trump at the White House on 22/7. Photo: AFP |
President Donald Trump at the White House on 22/7. Photo: AFP
Earlier in July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also suggested that President Trump be awarded the Nobel peace prize after the US leader facilitated a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Netanyahu praised Trump for building peace and security in many regions, especially the Middle East.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on 31/7 that President Trump had facilitated numerous peace agreements and ceasefires worldwide, including conflicts between Israel and Iran, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, India and Pakistan, Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia.
"In six months in office, President Trump has brokered, on average, one successful peace agreement or ceasefire per month. President Trump absolutely deserves the Nobel peace prize," Leavitt said.
Thanh Danh (Fresh News, WSJ, Times of India)
