Thursday, 17 July 2008
Touch Yuthea
The Mekong Times
The deployment of Thai troops around a disputed area at the Preah Vihear temple has drawn criticism from civil society, with many calling for intervention from the UN.
Khmer Civilization Foundation President Moeung Son said yesterday that while he supports the government’s attempts to maintain calm over the situation, the Thai government must pay for any damage incurred to the temple and its grounds.
“The government must be responsible for any damage to Preah Vihear temple or antiques in the temple or around the temple while their troops occupy it,” he said, appealing for the troops to be withdrawn.
He appealed to UNESCO country members and the UN to help ensure no Cambodians are affected by the dispute, and asked the Cambodian government to send experts to the area to inspect any damage to the temple.
Cambodia Watchdog Council International (CWCI) issued a statement yesterday strongly condemning the alleged incursion.
“This act is an illegal violation of Cambodian territorial integrity, it is degrading to Cambodia and is a deed that cannot be forgiven,” said the CWCI.
“These soldiers must withdraw from Cambodian territory immediately and the Thai government must publicly apologize to Cambodia for violating its territorial integrity,” CWCI emphasized.
CWCI appealed to the Cambodian government to cancel the agreements made recently with Thailand concerning the temple, and to follow the 1962 ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ or World Court) in The Hague, which awarded the temple to Cambodia.
Sok Sam Oeun, director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, said: “Preah Vihear temple has been listed as a World Heritage Site. If anyone violates the temple, it is the responsibility of the UN to intervene.”
“The definition of invasion, is entering another nation’s land intentionally, and [Thai soldiers] have entered with weapons,’’ he said, though he added that he was not sure if the incursion could be classed as an ‘invasion’.
“We have to examine the evidence. But if the [Thai soldiers] pull back peacefully without using military force, we cannot consider an invasion,” he stressed.
Kek Galabru, executive director of local human rights group Licadho, said she would like the Cambodian government to lodge a complaint with the UN over the incident “because in 1962 the ICJ ruled that Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia, and UNESCO has agreed to list the temple as a World Heritage Site.”
“Why did Thai troops enter our country?” she asked.
Khmer Civilization Foundation President Moeung Son said yesterday that while he supports the government’s attempts to maintain calm over the situation, the Thai government must pay for any damage incurred to the temple and its grounds.
“The government must be responsible for any damage to Preah Vihear temple or antiques in the temple or around the temple while their troops occupy it,” he said, appealing for the troops to be withdrawn.
He appealed to UNESCO country members and the UN to help ensure no Cambodians are affected by the dispute, and asked the Cambodian government to send experts to the area to inspect any damage to the temple.
Cambodia Watchdog Council International (CWCI) issued a statement yesterday strongly condemning the alleged incursion.
“This act is an illegal violation of Cambodian territorial integrity, it is degrading to Cambodia and is a deed that cannot be forgiven,” said the CWCI.
“These soldiers must withdraw from Cambodian territory immediately and the Thai government must publicly apologize to Cambodia for violating its territorial integrity,” CWCI emphasized.
CWCI appealed to the Cambodian government to cancel the agreements made recently with Thailand concerning the temple, and to follow the 1962 ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ or World Court) in The Hague, which awarded the temple to Cambodia.
Sok Sam Oeun, director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, said: “Preah Vihear temple has been listed as a World Heritage Site. If anyone violates the temple, it is the responsibility of the UN to intervene.”
“The definition of invasion, is entering another nation’s land intentionally, and [Thai soldiers] have entered with weapons,’’ he said, though he added that he was not sure if the incursion could be classed as an ‘invasion’.
“We have to examine the evidence. But if the [Thai soldiers] pull back peacefully without using military force, we cannot consider an invasion,” he stressed.
Kek Galabru, executive director of local human rights group Licadho, said she would like the Cambodian government to lodge a complaint with the UN over the incident “because in 1962 the ICJ ruled that Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia, and UNESCO has agreed to list the temple as a World Heritage Site.”
“Why did Thai troops enter our country?” she asked.
16 comments:
You will be shaking in Bangkok and your streets will become a war zone beware "Thai Ladyboiz"
Butra Khemara USA
Thai imperialist agression against Cambodia will not be tolerated! Cambodia must lobby for UN intervention.
A country that is in contempt of the world court should be punished with sanctions by the world.
The world community will side with Cambodia. The world will turn on Thailand.
Maybe KI Media should invite the SRP to ask the UN.
The government must be responsible for any damage to Preah Vihear temple.
LOL: So far, The Cambodia government has never been responsible for the damages that those foolish Khmers burned Royal Thai Embassy in 2003 yet.
Now, Khmers want to ask for compensation if any of PVH has been destroyed.
We'll bomb it and see what will happen.
You siemese piece of shit. Death to you all you shameless cowards! DEATH TO YOU ALL!
to 12:15 PM
If you fucking siemese do, Bangkok will be destroyed by economic collapse. And the Siem Reap will happy. Mean that, Cambodia will live happily and prosperously.
Anonymous:
What is just war? Can u unjustly fight a just war?
It is just for Cambodians to respond to Thai action. However, the way your responded here lessens the importance of our cause. Stop using barbarious words for something such important.
The temple belongs to Khmer in Issan Province. It is not a concern of the monkeys in Cambodia. Just get off the cliff and back to where you came from.
Khmer Issan were the slave of Khmer people in Cambodia and now they become the slave of Thai and Chinese
We don't care, we still want our temple back, motherfuckers!
After talking to the Thai government on monday, the Cambodian government must file a complaint to the UN.
By coming into Cambodia land the Thai is breaching ICJ verdict.
This will not be tolerated by the International Community.
2:38PM....
You can't get what you don't own back. If you don't care that you are a slave of the thai, you don't deserve it. You can take a picture of the temple from the border or buy it online. But, in US dollars only.
I am a Khmer living in Issan region and a Thai citizen. I do agree with those Khmers living Preah Vihear Province. I think Preah Vihear Temple belongs to people living in Preah Vihear province. No body else who does not live in Preah Vihear province has a rights on deciding the ownership of the temple. Keep in mind the Preah Vihear Province do exist. It is in northern region of Cambodia. But, Issan do not exist. Only the region does. But, mostly Loas people live there. We khmers are small numbers compare to others in the region. I hope this is clear to my brother who claims to be Khmer Issan in Issan province. You don't represent all the Khmers living here. So, stop using the name Issan.
it deals with international boundary line so i think UN will get involve soon.
Preah Vihear temple is now belonging to United Nation list as World Heritage Site.
If Thai create the war it will destroy 900 years old temple.
How Thai will explain to United Nation?.
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