Monday July 28, 2008
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Bangkok Post
Thailand is keen to keep the border conflict with Cambodia strictly a bilateral affair and hopes Phnom Penh brings no preconditions to today's talks on solving the dispute, says new Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag.
Cambodia, which was awarded sovereignty over nearby Preah Vihear temple in a 1962 World Court ruling, is threatening to take the issue to the United Nations Security Council.
Mr Tej, however, who leads Thai negotiators into today's meeting in Siem Reap, said that could complicate the issue.
"Attempts to bring the bilateral issue to broader frameworks at this stage could complicate the situation and, in turn, produce undesirable repercussions on good relations and goodwill," Mr Tej said.
A Foreign Ministry source said the dispute could take many months to settle, and Cambodia should not expect too much from today's meeting.
The dispute is mainly over 4.6sqkm of scrubland near the temple.
The talks come just one day after Mr Tej was sworn into the job.
He will meet his counterpart from Cambodia, Hor Namhong, as troops from both countries continue to face each other inside disputed territory at the border.
Mr Tej, who is also chairman of the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Association set up in 2003, has promised to try his best to unravel the issue.
"I accept that this problem is complicated but I believe in the basis of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
"We can join hands to seek a way out of the problem," he said yesterday after a one-hour meeting with staff of the Foreign Ministry, who were preparing information for today's meeting.
Former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama resigned this month following pressure over his handling of Cambodia's listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site, which sparked the latest conflict.
The government is worried that even after today's talks, Cambodia will try to drag the issue into a multilateral forum such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or the United Nations Security Council, as it attempted to do last week.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the government hopes Phnom Penh will be open-minded and come to the meeting without preconditions. Negotiations on such a sensitive issue need more time, not just one or two meetings, he said.
"The minister said he will try his best to talk to the Cambodian foreign minister," he said.
"It is his first task - we hope we can find a solution on some level, but this issue is sensitive and complex.
"We will definitely need more rounds of talks. The boundary is an important and complex issue and it needs time to solve, step by step and slowly," Mr Tharit said.
The bilateral talks are seen as an effective means to improve understanding between the two countries.
Nonetheless, Thailand will urge Cambodia to comply with the 2000 memorandum of understanding on the surveying and demarcation of the border, emphasising that neither side should cause damage to the environment in areas which have yet to be demarcated.
Since signing the MoU in 2000, Cambodia has allowed its civilians and soldiers into the disputed zone.
Cambodia, which was awarded sovereignty over nearby Preah Vihear temple in a 1962 World Court ruling, is threatening to take the issue to the United Nations Security Council.
Mr Tej, however, who leads Thai negotiators into today's meeting in Siem Reap, said that could complicate the issue.
"Attempts to bring the bilateral issue to broader frameworks at this stage could complicate the situation and, in turn, produce undesirable repercussions on good relations and goodwill," Mr Tej said.
A Foreign Ministry source said the dispute could take many months to settle, and Cambodia should not expect too much from today's meeting.
The dispute is mainly over 4.6sqkm of scrubland near the temple.
The talks come just one day after Mr Tej was sworn into the job.
He will meet his counterpart from Cambodia, Hor Namhong, as troops from both countries continue to face each other inside disputed territory at the border.
Mr Tej, who is also chairman of the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Association set up in 2003, has promised to try his best to unravel the issue.
"I accept that this problem is complicated but I believe in the basis of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
"We can join hands to seek a way out of the problem," he said yesterday after a one-hour meeting with staff of the Foreign Ministry, who were preparing information for today's meeting.
Former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama resigned this month following pressure over his handling of Cambodia's listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site, which sparked the latest conflict.
The government is worried that even after today's talks, Cambodia will try to drag the issue into a multilateral forum such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or the United Nations Security Council, as it attempted to do last week.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the government hopes Phnom Penh will be open-minded and come to the meeting without preconditions. Negotiations on such a sensitive issue need more time, not just one or two meetings, he said.
"The minister said he will try his best to talk to the Cambodian foreign minister," he said.
"It is his first task - we hope we can find a solution on some level, but this issue is sensitive and complex.
"We will definitely need more rounds of talks. The boundary is an important and complex issue and it needs time to solve, step by step and slowly," Mr Tharit said.
The bilateral talks are seen as an effective means to improve understanding between the two countries.
Nonetheless, Thailand will urge Cambodia to comply with the 2000 memorandum of understanding on the surveying and demarcation of the border, emphasising that neither side should cause damage to the environment in areas which have yet to be demarcated.
Since signing the MoU in 2000, Cambodia has allowed its civilians and soldiers into the disputed zone.
10 comments:
The Thai government supported the enlisting of Preah Vihear, later they cancel through their supreme court.
The MoU in 2000 Hun Sen just have to ask the Cambodian supreme court to cancel, they play dirty why can't we.
They invade our territory and they want to seat down with us and talk.
What do they think their are?
They ask us to play by the rule and the Thai just break any rule as long as its serves their interest.
Agree.
The supreme court of Cambodia should cancel the 2000 memorandum and just say like the Thai, that this wasn't constitutional.
So simple.
How about we station our troops on Thai territory and then ask them to talk.
I am just wondering why the Thais are so afraid of Cambodia taking the case to the world body such as the UN security council.
I guess they are afraid of the truth tremendously.
I hope that the Cambodian government stands firm and, if necessary, uses the international court of justice one more time to resolve this problem.
The court exists to solve the problem and let's use it. It is Cambodia's right to request for assistance in resolving this matter since the Thais will not abandon the idea of possessing Preah Vihear's surroundings anyway.
As someone already mentioned in this KI site a few days ago, the long-term goal of Thailand is to have a joint management of Preah Vihear and her surroundings in which they will reap most of the benefits since they are poised to take great advantage of the lucrative tourism industry in the areas.
I also hope that the Cambodian government continues to fight strongly for the interest of Cambodia by not yieding to Thailand under any duress.
Cambodia should not waste any more time with Thailand. Just ask the UN security council for assistance or simply take the case back to the Hague if possible.
We should continue to close the entrance to Preah Vihear from the Thai side. Build our own road to our temple.
As far as money is concerned I believe that there won't be a problem. Hire a well-respected international fund-raising company and solicit donations from all Cambodians (inside and outside the country) and those who would like to help. We can call it "A fund for great access to our Preah Vihear temple".
Building road will take time and money so we need to start now and I believe every Cambodian will donate according to their means.
While we try to solve this problem, let's find way to build our own road to Preah Vihear.
I am sick and tired of reading the news which never fails to mention that the easy access is from the Thai side.
Let's change that and have a much easier from our side!
A Concerned Khmer
Correction of the last sentence:
Let's change that and have a much easier access from our side!
A Concerned Khmer
Cambodia bound to give away more territory if they are negotiating with Thailand. Cambodia must not firm with whats are ours, otherwise the CPP is playing games with the Cambodian people before the national election. And will sure regret to help for PREAH VIHEAR RELIEF FUNDS.
I heard the YOUN and Thai are really scare that if Cambodian bring all matters to UN. In other hand, YOUN is supporting Thai by blocking Cambodian not to take this matters to UN because all sign (border treaty) lands and sea will be review by UN.
Cambodian have all the golden opportunity to bring these matters to UN.
HUN SEN, now this is the only time to get rid of all you sins.
If you can do this, I bet you alot of people will respect you as King.
Khmer Pride,
Yep! The Vietnamese and the Siamese are in the same boat together in occupying Khmer land! They both will do everything to stop the Khmer leaders from going to the United Nations!
Soon the whole Cambodian international map will be confirmed by GPS to find if the Thaicong and the Vietcong in violation of Cambodian territory and Cambodian sovereignty!
if the map is different from the treaty of 1907 cambodia needs to question thailand into how and when cambodia and the world recognize that map. the only map cambodia has recognized and the international recognition as well is the map of the treaty of 1907, not thailand unilateral map or whatever!!!!
".....The supreme court of Cambodia should cancel the 2000 memorandum and just say like the Thai, that this wasn't constitutional..." Our Court is different from Thai/not neutral.. ordered by the Top and Demonstration happened just seeking Permission from the Top ...thais are different.....
Our tops fears to Lose Power.....
One more thing is we are surprised what Agrrements to be made with Thais in the Past... one of lower rank Official Mr. SUMARA(now Under Secretary of State of Tourst Ministry) has signed also with Thais and other more agrrement..
Beacuse of TEA Money they could do every thing under Pretext of Development... Pls think about this..
Remider: Mr. Chea Spohara was removed from the Post of PP Major.. due to...Preah Vihear too....
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