No need to inflame border dispute
MINI EDITORIAL
September 18, 2008
The Nation
Cambodia should not exploit opportunities when Thailand is in political trouble. An example is its claim to sovereignty over Khmer temples along the disputed border. Such a move could jeopardise already fragile diplomatic relations.
Of course, Phnom Penh has the right to claim Hindu temples along the boundary but the two countries need to clearly define the border. New techniques for border demarcation could help, but this will not happen unless the two countries have good relations.
The recent claim on the temple of Ta Kwai is not timely, since Thailand is not ready to negotiate over the complicated issue of borderlines due to domestic difficulties. Moreover, the two countries have not yet resolved the previous dispute over the Khmer sanctuaries of Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom. Bringing Ta Kwai into the equation only puts mounting pressure on relations.
The dispute over the temples must not be settled by military means. Only diplomatic negotiations can resolve the problem.
As Phnom Penh registers its fresh claim, Thailand can do nothing but register an official protest for the record, pending further talks. The Foreign Ministry's permanent secretary Virasakdi Futrakul summoned Cambodia's ambassador Ung Sean on Tuesday to take an aide-memoire of the protest. The memoire said some 70 Cambodian soldiers had intruded upon the temple on September 6. It was the second intrusion since 30 Cambodian troops were seen at the temple between August 3 and 6.
"These acts constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Thailand," the memoire said.
Reaction from Phnom Penh made the problem more complicated. Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said his government was preparing to appeal to a "third international party" to intervene.
The dispute must be solved bilaterally in the spirit of good Asean neighbourliness. The Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission is the proper mechanism to handle the issue. It might take time but it could end the border disputes peacefully and fairly.
Of course, Phnom Penh has the right to claim Hindu temples along the boundary but the two countries need to clearly define the border. New techniques for border demarcation could help, but this will not happen unless the two countries have good relations.
The recent claim on the temple of Ta Kwai is not timely, since Thailand is not ready to negotiate over the complicated issue of borderlines due to domestic difficulties. Moreover, the two countries have not yet resolved the previous dispute over the Khmer sanctuaries of Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom. Bringing Ta Kwai into the equation only puts mounting pressure on relations.
The dispute over the temples must not be settled by military means. Only diplomatic negotiations can resolve the problem.
As Phnom Penh registers its fresh claim, Thailand can do nothing but register an official protest for the record, pending further talks. The Foreign Ministry's permanent secretary Virasakdi Futrakul summoned Cambodia's ambassador Ung Sean on Tuesday to take an aide-memoire of the protest. The memoire said some 70 Cambodian soldiers had intruded upon the temple on September 6. It was the second intrusion since 30 Cambodian troops were seen at the temple between August 3 and 6.
"These acts constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Thailand," the memoire said.
Reaction from Phnom Penh made the problem more complicated. Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said his government was preparing to appeal to a "third international party" to intervene.
The dispute must be solved bilaterally in the spirit of good Asean neighbourliness. The Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission is the proper mechanism to handle the issue. It might take time but it could end the border disputes peacefully and fairly.
7 comments:
"New techniques for border demarcation could help, but this will not happen unless the two countries have good relations."
-What new techniques for border demarcation? The fact is there are no new techniques in solving border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand! As long as the Thai leaders continue to insist on using their own map which is not recognize by international community and there is nothing can be done in solving Cambodia-Thailand border conflict!
The only new techniques are to use modern satellite system to verify every square inch of Cambodia and Thailand territories and verify it with the international map!
Thailand has no right to set any condition on Cambodia in solving the border dispute! Since Thailand started the border conflict and it is up to Thailand to end it!
No need diplomatic relationship with Thailand because this country is ruled by terror, aggressive, and by mob. Down with Thai. Long live Khmer.
All these temples have been Khmer's even the names suggested so, what in the world Thailand is claiming these temples are theirs when they never had the ownership of them just after the Preah Vihear was place in the World Heritage.
If Ah Hun Pleu still the leader until he is 99 year olds, there will be no more Cambodia in this planet.
HOW CAN WE NEGOCIATE WITH THESE SIAM's DOGS ANYMORE!!! GO TO UNSC AND INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE!!
It's too tired of bilateral nego...and The Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission. What's fruiful from that works? It just only more and more Thai troop encroach into Cambodia territory.
Pi Anh, Khmer
Why Hun Sen forget that Thaksin is Thai?
Even though Thaksin administration signed positive agreement over the Preah Vihear. However, Thaksin also want to have good name in Thai history as well, not just money.
So, his 99 lease on Koh Kong province $1 billion development project will be another disaster.
Even Thailand has only 45 years maximum leasing while Vietnam has 49 years maximum leasing.
Wake up Hun Sen!
Post a Comment