Thursday July 24, 2008
Bangkok Post
The Cambodian government has got what it wanted: the successful unilateral listing of the 11th century Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site, even without the ''active support'' pledged by the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej (which was given but later withdrawn due to widespread protests in Thailand). But that appears not to be enough, as Cambodia now wants more. In the aftermath of the failure of the first General Border Committee meeting in Sa Kaeo province on Monday to resolve the conflict over the 4.6 sq km overlapping zone around the ancient temple, the Cambodian government launched a multi-pronged diplomatic offensive in regional and international forums, claiming sovereignty over the zone. In so doing, Phnom Penh accused Thailand of encroaching on its territory and posing a threat to regional peace and stability.
At the Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Singapore on Monday, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong proposed that a contact group be set up to mediate the border conflict. This proposal was rejected at the meeting after a protest from the Thai delegation. Complaints were also sent to the United Nations Security Council by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, accusing Thai troops of intruding into Cambodian territory and asking for the council's intervention. The Security Council is scheduled to discuss the border dispute today.
Cambodia's charge of a border incursion by Thai forces amounts to the shepherd crying ''wolf!'' The charge is outlandish and false. The 4.6 sq km overlapping zone is not Cambodian territory, it is an area contested by both countries, although the temple itself is situated on territory under Cambodia's sovereignty as ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962. Since then, successive Thai governments have abided by the court's ruling although they disagreed with it. Despite the ruling, access to the temple _ which is more convenient from the Thai side _ had been made available to both Thais and Cambodians alike, until only recently when relations became strained following Cambodia's unilateral application for listing the temple as a World Heritage Site.
Cambodia's diplomatic offensive to internationalise the temple issue - whether done to whip up nationalist sentiment among the Cambodian electorate ahead of Sunday's election, or whether Cambodia really wants to lay claim to the disputed territory - is unfriendly and not good neighbourly conduct from a country which has enjoyed friendly relations with Thailand for decades. It has also falsely painted Thailand in a negative light in the eyes of the international community, making Thailand seem like a bully against a small and weak neighbour.
Despite the military buildup at the border by the two countries and Cambodia's rhetoric that is blowing the temple issue out of proportion, there is no immediate threat of an armed conflict breaking out, and the general situation is not critical enough to warrant intervention by the UN Security Council. In fact, both sides have met only once, via the General Border Committee. More effort must be expended to resolve differences in a peaceful and friendly manner.
There will be no peaceful solution if both sides stick to their demands. The only viable and logical solution of mutual benefit is for the two countries to compromise and agree on turning the overlapping area into a peace zone or park, to be jointly developed and managed so that the Preah Vihear temple will truly be a World Heritage Site.
At the Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Singapore on Monday, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong proposed that a contact group be set up to mediate the border conflict. This proposal was rejected at the meeting after a protest from the Thai delegation. Complaints were also sent to the United Nations Security Council by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, accusing Thai troops of intruding into Cambodian territory and asking for the council's intervention. The Security Council is scheduled to discuss the border dispute today.
Cambodia's charge of a border incursion by Thai forces amounts to the shepherd crying ''wolf!'' The charge is outlandish and false. The 4.6 sq km overlapping zone is not Cambodian territory, it is an area contested by both countries, although the temple itself is situated on territory under Cambodia's sovereignty as ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962. Since then, successive Thai governments have abided by the court's ruling although they disagreed with it. Despite the ruling, access to the temple _ which is more convenient from the Thai side _ had been made available to both Thais and Cambodians alike, until only recently when relations became strained following Cambodia's unilateral application for listing the temple as a World Heritage Site.
Cambodia's diplomatic offensive to internationalise the temple issue - whether done to whip up nationalist sentiment among the Cambodian electorate ahead of Sunday's election, or whether Cambodia really wants to lay claim to the disputed territory - is unfriendly and not good neighbourly conduct from a country which has enjoyed friendly relations with Thailand for decades. It has also falsely painted Thailand in a negative light in the eyes of the international community, making Thailand seem like a bully against a small and weak neighbour.
Despite the military buildup at the border by the two countries and Cambodia's rhetoric that is blowing the temple issue out of proportion, there is no immediate threat of an armed conflict breaking out, and the general situation is not critical enough to warrant intervention by the UN Security Council. In fact, both sides have met only once, via the General Border Committee. More effort must be expended to resolve differences in a peaceful and friendly manner.
There will be no peaceful solution if both sides stick to their demands. The only viable and logical solution of mutual benefit is for the two countries to compromise and agree on turning the overlapping area into a peace zone or park, to be jointly developed and managed so that the Preah Vihear temple will truly be a World Heritage Site.
21 comments:
Let them jointly manage the area. The land belongs to cambodia. Sign the documents and we will let your greedy hands on the profit.
I think the writer of this article never or not intent to read the rules issued by ICJ.
Go and read again before you write.
"The only viable and logical solution of mutual benefit is for the two countries to compromise and agree on turning the overlapping area into a peace zone or park, to be jointly developed and managed so that the Preah Vihear temple will truly be a World Heritage Site."
This is a very good advice for Cambodia. I would sign a new treaty with Thailand to jointly manage the area, and that will be bind for ever.
On the other hand, Thailand will not make the same mistake twice if the case should reopen in the International court. They will avoid pro-colonial judges, and they will insist on Asian's judges. If successful, the French conquerer treaties will all be nullified and Cambodia will lose everything.
I would not take the risk.
Jointly manage does not mean ownership. My manager runs my restaurant but I own it. Big difference!
I say, thumbs up for joint management but make sure that land belongs to cambodia!
I go to rob your house, but Don't you ever dare to scream or I will tell the world that you are crying-wolf. I'll rape you, but don't you dare to scream or else I will accuse you of being a cry baby.
Why bringing the case to International court is a risk when there is no risk at all. Why Thailand refused to deal with ASEAN and UN ? Because Thailand would lose on International stage. You thai shold read an article in Bangkok Post where General Boonsrang was quoted that Thailand should learn from the past experience and better not go to International court because lonsing twice in that court isn't funny.
Cambodia: Help there are theives in my house!!!!!!
Thailand: We just come here to rob not to steal. You idiot!! dare to scream!!! You crying wolf!!!
ASEAN: Let they solve the problem bilaterally and peacefully.
Reported by Bang Cock Post and the Nut-tion...
Right now Cambodia must turn its attention to the other part of the border, the thai are massing their troops along our border.
The Hun Sen government must send troops there also. There are not at our door stop for nothing.
Why can't it belong to both in a joint management, 8:07?
8.03
If you guys are so confident, why you guys are so scared to bring the issue to the UN and the ICJ? Why you guys are trying to reject and avoid such resolution proposal.
We, khmer, think you will win the case in front of ICJ and we will lose everything. So, please push and bring the case to ICJ and the UN to decide. We are ready to accep the verdict of the ICJ. We are not flip flop like you stupid guys
Joint investment for the development of this area is a good idea, but the ownership of the land is another thing. Seeking assistance from UN or ICJ for the land disput is the most reasonable request to end the problem. And then Cambodia and Thai can develop the area and make great profit for both side.
But it does not mean, the request for assistance from UN is a crying wolf. But on the contrary, for those to prevent the international intervention, is really want to hide the truths and trying to profit from weak country unshamlessly.
8:48, following standard protocol in is not being scared. Everyone must go through it in a civilized world.
"The only viable and logical solution of mutual benefit is for the two countries to compromise and agree on turning the overlapping area into a peace zone or park, to be jointly developed and managed so that the Preah Vihear temple will truly be a World Heritage Site."
It is indeed a very good idea!
We'll just have to fence off Preah Vihear completely from the Thai side and build another entrance for the tourist from our side. Let see who wants to visit the peace zone or a park now?
Ah Thai scumbags Mothr-fuckers uncivilized and outlaw citizens why don't ya scold your stupid flip flop mother-fucker ah Samak? He definetlly know waht the fuck he's doing? Ah Stupid grave Moron Samak is brigning you Thais into grave shit to save his ass and his flip flop government!!!!!!!! You will mother-fuckers be remembered as greedy, outlaw and a disguised fakely civilized nation coz yo jsut suck and fuck no law no respect and no acknowlegdement of history at all.
You sucked fucked outlaw fake civilized nation!!!!!Mother-Fuckers!!!!!!
9.14, do you think using forces to press the weaken country to accept your map drawn by yourself is the civilized solution?
I have to stand up to this article.
1) Why Thais are so suffered from
listing Preah Vihear to World Culture Heritage Site? It's belong to Cambodia and Khmer has full right to list it to WCHS and absolutely no need to ask Thai to accept or not. To show as a good neighbor, Cambodia need good will and support from Thailand, but this not does mean we need your approval from Thailand. This was proved by UNESCO as decided to list to WCHS. So, Thailan should not say unilateral or belateral...it's meaningless.
2) "But that appears not to be enough, as Cambodia now wants more". What does it mean? Cambodia just only want the world know that Thailand defies all principles of international law by invading wildly Cambodia soil. Cambodia has moved like this bcuz after so-call GBC meeting, Cambodia known clearly Thailand shamless greed with tricky tactics by draging the time. And also Cambodia learn from cheating couple time by Samak. So this move reflected skillful of Cambodia in diplomatic fighting. So, what Cambodia want mre only for justice and fair from greedy tiger Thailand.
3) " The only viable and logical solution of mutual benefit is for ...the Preah Vihear temple will truly be a World Heritage Site. What it want to say? It means all WCHS are needed jointly developed and managed? No, no, no, never. It's another dangerous trap of Thailand. It's step de facto haft ownership to full ownership legally. Cambodia will not fall in your poisoned trap and we have plenty of friens from UNESCO to help us. Angkor Wat is an exemple and Cambodia manage it much more than Thailand. We have enough human resources to deal with and Thailand do not worry about that. As one of extert in tourism, I dare to say that your tourism is at declining stage as Thailand has no more new tourism products to introduce to new trends of the world. So, Thailand now is turning to Laos and Cambodia especially under theme of Mekong tourism. And I also dare to let Thailand know that your country image over the world is sex tourism. bagkok is very well known as sex heven for sex tourists. So do not cheat Cambodia and Laos any more. all we know your dirty tricks and lib language any more.
Guys you should turn you comment toward the build up of the Thai troop build-up along Cambodia border. This is not good news, they are preparing another nasty plan.
We should urge the Hun Sen government to send troops there also.
We should monitor this closely, they might stab us in the back while we're busy with the election.
joint management equals future joint ownership, can we joint manage Sukothai and Auttaya also?
this is a trap, we khmer are much better and smarter than this because we are more educated in IVy leauge, more KHMER USA to lobby our lobbyists. YOU ARE FUCK Thailand, yes you are fuck, you have to face UN and continue to lie to the world again, your Bangkok post is rubbish, very baised, your Nution is also rubbish, you don't report the truth because we decided.
YOU ARE FUCK BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU CAN ALWAYS WIN OVER CAMBODIA.
THE VIET THOUGHT THE SAME, they were fuck also, because instead of being the asian tiger and riches in SE asia, they became one of the poorest too.
TRY TO INVADE, please do, KHMER CAMBODIAN, KHMER USA, KHMER FRANCE, KHMER UK, KHMER AUSTRILIA, KHMER CANANDA ARE WAITING.
we will bleed you to death, we will also take care of your lackeys, the Thai speaking Khmer enthic pro thai in your country. THEY Are FUCK too because they never liked the cambodians.
Joint managemetn, me ass ? Stcik to the legal treaties whch the dumb king of siam signed, an it understood it perfectly at the time, don't come back abd pretend not to know, fuck off. this is typical of siam trick tpo get more.
once you go for jint mgt, the siams will get it as theirs eventually. Shat they manage will become theirs - see sdok kak thom, it belongto khmer, but they maintain it as their and it has become so, to the dumb hun sen stupidity.
don't open the door to let them claim mor and more. why sahre what they had no had in the first place ?
can we suggest we join-manage sdok kak thom, pnom rung, pimai, trat, koh kut ? you dream, buddies.
There is no such thing as Nazi French treaty. It will all be in the trash soon enough.
Thais are thieves from Black river in north Vietnam. Thais've never been Hindu but thieves. Bhumibol is from a commonner family named Chakri. The thieves respect no laws.
I hopt the author of this article is reading this post:
A crying wolf in a theatrical term is admirable, courageous, and strong; where as in a theater of absurdity a crying dog is lowest. It is referral to as bitches and hoes.
Thailand is low in comparison.
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