Letter to the Editor of The Cambodia Daily
By Sam Rainsy
“The Paris Peace Accords indisputably constitute a unique legal instrument and the most appropriate basis for the resolution of the type of conflict Cambodia is now facing.”- Sam RainsyIn “Talks With Thailand To Resume Next Week” (Sept 25, page 23) Prime Minister Hun Sen is quoted as saying about the ongoing border disputes with Thailand, “We do not drop our plan to take the case to the international court [of justice in The Hague] or any [other international] institution to resolve the case.”
He also reiterates the option for Cambodia to "file the case to the UN Security Council."
When a small and weak country faces aggression from a larger and more powerful neighbor, it understandably seeks support from the international community, hoping for at least mediation or arbitration.
Because bilateral talks have produced no results, Cambodia has actually, over the past few months, tried to seize the UN Security Council, but to no avail. The world body, where the Phnom Penh government apparently enjoys little support, has responded with calls to resolve our conflict with Thailand on a bilateral basis instead.
Regarding the possibility to turn to the International Court of Justice, observers point to the fact that Thailand has stopped accepting any arbitration from this judicial institution since she lost the Preah Vihear temple case in 1962.
As for a possible mediation by Asean, Cambodia has expressed the view that neutrality expected from such a mediator cannot be assured in the present circumstances with Thailand currently chairing the regional institution.
As a last resort—but it maybe should have been the first one— there is another avenue the Phnom Penh government should consider using when looking for a mechanism through which to solve the current crisis: the Paris Peace Accords on Cambodia signed in the French capital on Oct 23,1991. The Accords indisputably constitute a unique legal instrument and the most appropriate basis for the resolution of the type of conflict Cambodia is now facing.
Cambodia should call on the signatories of the above-mentioned Accords, which include all our neighboring countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos) as well as all the world's powers (US, Russia, China, France, United Kingdom, Japan, India, Australia, Canada) to fulfill their legal obligations to help find a peaceful and just resolution to the border conflict with Thailand.
One of the Accords, the "Agreement concerning the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability, neutrality and national unity of Cambodia" states, in its Article 5:
- In the event of a violation or threat of violation of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity [...] of Cambodia [...], the parties to this Agreement undertake to consult immediately with a view to adopting all appropriate steps to ensure respect for [their] commitments [towards Cambodia] and resolving any such violations through peaceful means.
- Such steps may include, inter alia, reference of the matter to the Security Council of the United Nations [...].
- The parties to this Agreement [including Cambodia] may also call upon the assistance of the co-Chairmen of the Paris Conference on Cambodia [ie, France and Indonesia].
This week, we all should celebrate the 17th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, which guarantees not only Cambodia's territorial integrity but also democracy and respect for human rights.
Sam Rainsy,
SRP President,
Member of Parliament
30 comments:
Dear Mr Sam Rainsy
I commend your letter to the editor, but may I say, where were you all this time? The crisis flared up on July 15, and the seriousness of the troop deployment is clear not long after that date, but we have not heard from you since until today.
You know, I agree with your opinion, and I hope Hun Sen consider your suggestion. Whatever the outcome, we will not accept anything other than the preservation of Preah Vihear and its adjoining region.
I was your supporter, but there were a number of new developments that changed my position. I am now more of a Hun Sen supporter. The developments that destroy your credibility includes the out-of-the-blue flip flop on your pledge to boycott the NA, only to turn up to the NA the next day. On this, it was alleged Kith Meng bribed you a hefty sum of money and some houses during his negotiation with you, and I believed this 51%.
Furthermore, you have been very quiet and slow in responding and offering your solutions to this crisis against Thailand. I have been waiting and waiting, and it is long overdue.
You have a long way to establish yourself as PM, and I hope you redeem yourself well before the election in 2012.
Former SRP Supporter, now reluctant CPP supporter
Once a loser (Scam Rainxy), always be a loser.
Dear All Khmer,
Please be UNITED in this Forum at this circumstance.
Khmer Helps Khmer.
Few of my Thai friends feel shy themselves.
Excellency Sam Rainsy,
You have shown your courage all along and have braved the grenade attacks on 30 March 1997 and other forms of attack and pressure.
Now you have shown your statesmanship by proposing the resort to this Paris Peace Agreement to get our Thai brothers to end their violation of our territorial inegrity. You have well argued your case.
I look forward to seeing our Prime Minister Hun Sen match your statesmanship with his and take up your proposal.
But I'd like to quote a little more from the same agreement to make your case more complete:
Article 2
1. The other parties to this Agreement[Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, USSR (Russia), the United Kingdom, the United States, Vietnam and Yugoslavia (Serbia?)] hereby solemnly undertake to recognize and to respect in every way the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability, neutrality and national unity of Cambodia.
2. To this end, they undertake:
….
(c) To refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Cambodia, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations;
….
LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong
A INDEPENDENT POINT OF VIEW :
The thailande is the country today seriously sick of the South East Asia .
Its democracy scoffed by the military.
Its economy crashes down.
Its politics is also sick of the political pluralism, the politicians corruption and his unreliable businessmen, his braggart army.
The monarch rascite, pervert, hypocrite and sadist Bhumibol Adulyadej who pays more attention on its wealth and his personal fortune than in the thailande democracy.
It is the modern thailande today.
To try to bring out of this political dead end, the thailande tried to use the war against the small ,poor, and weak Cambodia and politically very divided, to provoke a political a sdden hit of its public opinion and to unite all the thais behind his government and his sadistic king.
The thailande thinks that this cynical political calculation is not very risky and easy to realize with small Cambodia, weak, poor and politically very divided.
But the thais politicians strategists of shit made a mistake.
Because small, poor, and weak Cambodia, resists.
Now that the small Cambodia resisted to the thais aggression and ready to wage war with the thailande, the thailande of Bhumibol Aduyadej became afraid.
Because if there is a war and if the war is going to last, Bhumibol is going to lose 30 billion dollars of its personal fortune to buy weapons that the traders of US weapons are very satisfied to sell to him. And it is not guaranteed that with all these weapons the thailande is going to gain win the war.
And if the war is going to last the thailande economy is going to go bankrupt.
And if the war is going to last, the war is going to extend in all Indochina, it is the famous theory of dominoes.
Because the solidarity of the IndoChina union Vietnam - Cambodia-Loas is going to be set up if the war is going to last.
Laos is going to question the agreement on the borders signed between loas and thais in 1987-1988.
The thailande is going to oblige to protect and to defend its northeast borders more than 1000 km with Laos.
Can The thailande wage war with Vietnâm+Cambodge+Loas and win this war? Here many of the serious and responsible military thais leaders doubt the exit of this war.
We understood why now that the conflict of border thai-Cambodia is alternated by the periods of fights and of the periods of negotiations.
We also understood why Hun Sen (behind him, there is an IndoChina union) chose the bilateral and not multilateral negotiation.
We also understood now why the thailande accused there is the third party in this conflict behind Cambodia.
What looks for now the thailande in this conflict of border is to return to the situation before July 15th, 2008 without losing the face and without dishonoring itself in front the thai’s public opinion?
Who can help and advise usefully the unfortunate thailande, victims of his irresponsible politicians? ?
Effectively, the thailande became aware today that the military situation provoked by thailande with Cambodia can turn unfavorably against its.
Let us hope that Hun Sen who saw the situation does not take advantage in the bilateral negotiation to ask more the thailande than the return in the situation before July 15th, 2008.
Because the humbled thailande has not other choice than to wage war.
The Khmer political opposition (pro-thais) which asks for the multilateral negotiation now is going to help and to save the thailande to go out of the politico-military error which it committed.
Very intelligence and very wise ideas by Mr. Sam Rainsy and Dr. Lao Mong Hay. Khmer needs a lot of people like them.
Khmer don't need devils (jumping ship) like 3:42pm. This guy worsen than snake.
3:42 AM, I was going to say the same thing as you but I just saw an SRP's statement of condemnation to Thailand shortly after the fighting.
Regarding Kith Meng's bribing Sam Rainsy, I don't know the truth but I think it is Hun Sen's bad-mouthing of Sam Rainsy to discredit him. If Sam Rainsy wants bribery from people such as Kith Meng, why did he and his wife give up their high paid jobs in France for the last 17 years to come to Cambodia where he almost got killed many times? For the last 17 years, if they stayed in France, they would have earned millions from their high paid jobs. How you are so naive to believe such childish rumors about Kith Meng's bribery. It is incredulous!
Lastly, I would like to commend Mr. Sam Rainsy about his advice or suggestion in the letter. See if Mr. Hun Sen will pick up the suggestion and follow up. Bilateral talks will produce nothing, only prolong the conflict which will result in Cambodia losing more territories to new Thai encroachments/violations.
It makes you wonder why the thai are ignoring this, but hear this: they fought on behalf of a self defense. Yeah sure! Can you believe it?
Those russian bumbs ,they planted in our land themself!
3.42, This is your choice to shift your stance.
If you recall there was a Mr. Sam Rainsy's letter regarding the situation.
This man is no less patriotic, but this is a man Mr. Hun Sen need at the moment, if Thailand decide to continue with their "talks and negotiation" and not giving ground.
Time been give to Hun sen to solve the problem as a head of the goverment but he know not thing about rule, respect , and law!
Sam Rainsy should be the PM to help Cambodia live in peace and dignity as civilized peole!!!!!
YOu are very informative and respected mr. Rainsy.
Bhubimol adulyaded can he take the risk by provoking the war generalized with 3 formers communist countries of Indochina and the general uprising of the thais Muslims of the South?
This generalized war if it bursts, will provoke the bankruptcy of the thailande economy , the destruction of the thailande’s army military potential , and especially the disappearance of the personal Bhumibol Adulyadej
The US spent more than 1000 billion dollars in the viêtnam's war and did not win the war on the communism in 3 countries of Indochina, the alone thailande will win these 3 former communist allies?
9:30pm -“Bhubimol adulyaded can he take the risk by provoking the war generalized with 3 formers communist countries of Indochina and the general uprising of the thais Muslims of the South?
This generalized war if it bursts, will provoke the bankruptcy of the thailande economy , the destruction of the thailande’s army military potential , and especially the disappearance the personal fortune of Bhumibol Adulyadej estimated about 30 billion dollars?
The US spent more than 1000 billion dollars in the viêtnam's war and did not win the war on the communism in 3 countries of Indochina, the alone thailande will win these 3 former communist allies?”
I am certain that is not!
Once a foreigner's ass kisser will alway be a foreigner's ass kisser. Cambodia must settles this dispute on its own without having to kiss any foreigner's ass. It's time for a change for the better. PM Hun Sen can do it.
3:42 can express his/her opinion. They can also switch party, if that what they like or believe. The different is Mr. Sam Rainsey's party supporters which are now still with him. They are the solid supporters and firm believers. Congratulation!
We can see why Mr. Sam Rainsey and The Sam Rainsey's party were quiet about the whole thing at the beginning. Why? because Preah Vihear was pretty much the subject's center of the CPP in order to win the election.
The SRP on the other side was concentrating on the subject of land grabbing, fighting for the factory workers, fighting the corruption and trying to creat more employments for the youth to better and brighter Cambodia and it's alright. The SRP was very very brave and they got their solid points ofurgument. Preah Vihear just seemed in the back of their minds all along. They didn't pick it to be their up front subject. Perhaps, they understood that this belong to the CPP at the time and they stayed out of it.
The SRP is also the future people. The CPP is more like the past folks. Another word, if they aren't as smart or not as creative to bring something new, they like keep the old one that they have in good place and try to make something out of it. Wow! should we say it's equally brilliant? and with the Thacksin, the politian mixed with business head came along....... a lot of other people got something to worry about. We're seeing it now.
We're seeing it now that Preah Vihear and the land surrounding it are very very powerful and most stirring subject indeed. Of course, This, because jobs or employments can easily create thru the tourist businesses of Preah Vihear. By wining the World Heritage Site's tittle is right out magnificent! It seems easier to get a job by just going to apply and work around Preah Vihear or elsewhere related to it rather than to go thru years of schooling first which was prefered by the SRP's .
Everyone has a choise to make and most probably were choosing an easier one. You know...who won the election. Yeah sure! A lot of people must seeing it that way and by seeing just that, Preah Vihear have gone all the way to Thailand. IT HAVE GONE TO BE THE CHOSEN SUBJEST AND POWERFUL ENOUGH FOR THE THAIS TO DO POLITIC AND KILLED EACH OTHER ON THE STREET! HOW FUNNY? :)
Gee Louise! that powerful????!
The SRP is very helpful by coming to the picture now and say, hey! wait a minute Thais! are you people fool? or out of your mind? You're killing each other plus got my people killed, all because you're trying to fight for something that isn't really yours o.k!!!
The subject of The Paris Peace Agreement could not arrive at a better time. Thanks God we have some very very smart people there out to come out and dare to stop it all. May you and your party win your argument all the way!
God Bless brilliant people like the SRP & Dr.LAO ( for example ) and God Bless Cambodia!
Ordinary Khmers
This good news or solution may also bring back the stock market in Asia. Let's just hope that its outcome will be brighter.
Somebody must pick up the info and turn it around.
To 3:42 PM
Maybe you are blind or you cannot read.
Sam Rainsy said from the beginning for our government to go to UN.
Are you sure, you want to support Khmer Rouge (Hun Sen and CCP) responsible for killing almost 2 million Khmer people, assasinated jounalists, assasinated Chea Vichea (Leader of the Free Trade Union) and innocent men, women and children during terrorism in Cambodia (March 30, 1997)?
The multilateral negotiation is not good tactically because it will allow the thailande to bring out of this border conflict with Cambodia without losing the face in front of the thailand public opinion and especially the multilateral negotiation will justify the legitimacy actually the aggression thais which will become then a justified border demand.
?????????
Yeah, and you are living in denial, 1:31. Where was the UN when KR slaughtering people in Cambodia?
i BELIEVE THAT ALL THE POLITICIAN HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS, INCLUDING THOSE CAMBODIAN WANTED TO CALL FOR, NOT ONLY
SAM RAINSY AND LAO MONG HAY.
THAILAND WOULD NOT FEAR THAT CAMBODIA TAKE THIS MATTER TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL BASED ON THIS TREATY. BECAUSE THE TREATY SAYS NOTHING THAT THAILAND CAN NOT RESORT TO MILITARY FORCE TO DEFENCE ITS SOVEREIGGNTY.
THAT POINT HERE IS NOT THAT WE SAY THAT THE DISPUTED AREA IS OUR LAND, BUT TO THAILAND, THEY ALSO CONSIDER THAT IS ITS LAND TOO.
BEFORE WE ASK OTHER TO PROTECT US, WE NEED TO CONVINCE THEM THAT IS OUR LAND.
THE MORE YOU SPEAK, THE MORE PEOPLE KHNOW THAT OUR POLITICIANS ARE UNDER-CAPABILITY.
Hun Sen has an erratic behavior. One day he wants to make war, october 14, 2008, with Thailand. The next day he wants to make peace october 15, 2008 after three khmer soldiers were killed. We all hope one day he wants to be the next Sadam hun sen for his crime against humanity. He has threaten, intimedated, robbed, raped and killed so may khmer people to satify his boss, vietnamese.
Where is excellency S, Sean Peng?
Dear H.E. Sam Rainsy,
You have been trying hard in your political life and of course, it has given you a kind of fruitful result. You have received more and more supporters with time.
However, sometimes I feel that you oppose too much with the government. Maybe you should also pick up some good points and say something good a little bit sometimes to show your wise judgement and let the people know that you can also see the good things in your eyes. And one more thing is that you should also give some opinions or solutions, a kind of advice to a problem when you criticise the government or a particular institution because soemtimes, people can not understand what you are trying to say. We might think that you know only how to say but not to do if you dont give your opinions or advice to the problem.
Of course, I have been your supporter and I really had faith on you to be the leader of the country. Don't put your personal feelings in the political games.
Hey, Sam Rainsy ha...
The Paris Peace Accords Hun Sen Considered as toilet paper and he used all, there is no value to that. Don't dream about The Paris Peace Accords, even Sihanouk can't do. You all finished.
These politicians can only come up with the 'solutions' that are impraticable.
They like to put this unrealistic the so call 'solutions'just to make government embarrassed when it can not be achieved.
Hun Sen will not that stupid, he knew all these tactics from the oppositions, that's why he always be the winner irrispective whatever tricks are played. Rainsy can not compare with him, at least at the moment.
Ah Scam Rainxy wants to send more people to mass graves by trying to induce war in the region. Don't listen to him, unless you want to die.
Post a Comment