Friday October 24, 2008
Bangkok Post
EDITORIAL
Thai and Cambodian leaders will finally come face-to-face to discuss the border conflict when they meet today on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Summit (Asem) in Beijing. The meeting should provide a good opportunity for the two neighbouring countries to sort out their differences over the Preah Vihear temple conflict.
A recent border skirmish stemming from troop deployment on disputed land next to the temple area, left seven injured on the Thai side and two deaths on the Cambodian side. This tragic clash has notched up the intensity of this protracted border conflict while driving bilateral relations between the two neighbours down to a new low.
Since military tension between the two countries flared up in July, neither nation has gained any benefit from the wrangle. Instead of enjoying the benefits of the World Heritage status it has won from the World Heritage Committee, Cambodia is now engaged in a bitter dispute with Thailand over the latter's objection to its unilateral listing.
The result is that the ancient ruins have since been completely shut down to visitors. Cambodia's hope of seeing a significant increase in tourism income has evaporated into thin air. Local villagers on both sides of the border who used to earn their living doing business with tourists, have also lost their income.
With the troop buildup along the border and the possibility of a bigger battle looming over the confrontation, both Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and Cambodian leader Hun Sen will need to exercise their leadership to avert this possible armed crisis.
It is clear that neither Thailand nor Cambodia wishes to see this conflict develop into a full-scale war. The multi-level talks between local military leaders and diplomats of the two countries have paved the way for the two Asean members to find a solution to this damaging dispute.
The solution clearly rests in the two countries' resuming demarcation discussions over the disputed area next to Preah Vihear temple. Both sides claim ownership of the 4.6 square kilometres of land next to the temple. However, internal problems on both sides have continued to keep demarcation work on hold.
It is understood that Phnom Penh is now under pressure to submit, by the February 2009 deadline, its administrative plan for the temple to the World Heritage Committee. But drumming up the threat of war against Thailand will not help speed things up.
The Thai government is bound by constitutional requirements in negotiating issues of national interest with a foreign country. The issue of border demarcation work is one that requires the endorsement of parliament.
With the Thai Foreign Ministry having finally chosen its head to the Joint Commission on Demarcation of Land Boundaries (JBC) - his appointment is pending parliamentary approval on Monday - the demarcation talks can be expected to resume soon.
However, the process of defining the common borderline will be time consuming. This is something which requires patience and sincerity from both countries.
To create an atmosphere conducive to the long and arduous border demarcation work, both sides can start by withdrawing troops and heavy weapons which they deployed after the recent border skirmish. Cambodia, in particular, will need to clear its people and troops out of the 4.6-sq.km. disputed land to show that it is sincere about having this long border conflict settled once and for all.
A recent border skirmish stemming from troop deployment on disputed land next to the temple area, left seven injured on the Thai side and two deaths on the Cambodian side. This tragic clash has notched up the intensity of this protracted border conflict while driving bilateral relations between the two neighbours down to a new low.
Since military tension between the two countries flared up in July, neither nation has gained any benefit from the wrangle. Instead of enjoying the benefits of the World Heritage status it has won from the World Heritage Committee, Cambodia is now engaged in a bitter dispute with Thailand over the latter's objection to its unilateral listing.
The result is that the ancient ruins have since been completely shut down to visitors. Cambodia's hope of seeing a significant increase in tourism income has evaporated into thin air. Local villagers on both sides of the border who used to earn their living doing business with tourists, have also lost their income.
With the troop buildup along the border and the possibility of a bigger battle looming over the confrontation, both Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and Cambodian leader Hun Sen will need to exercise their leadership to avert this possible armed crisis.
It is clear that neither Thailand nor Cambodia wishes to see this conflict develop into a full-scale war. The multi-level talks between local military leaders and diplomats of the two countries have paved the way for the two Asean members to find a solution to this damaging dispute.
The solution clearly rests in the two countries' resuming demarcation discussions over the disputed area next to Preah Vihear temple. Both sides claim ownership of the 4.6 square kilometres of land next to the temple. However, internal problems on both sides have continued to keep demarcation work on hold.
It is understood that Phnom Penh is now under pressure to submit, by the February 2009 deadline, its administrative plan for the temple to the World Heritage Committee. But drumming up the threat of war against Thailand will not help speed things up.
The Thai government is bound by constitutional requirements in negotiating issues of national interest with a foreign country. The issue of border demarcation work is one that requires the endorsement of parliament.
With the Thai Foreign Ministry having finally chosen its head to the Joint Commission on Demarcation of Land Boundaries (JBC) - his appointment is pending parliamentary approval on Monday - the demarcation talks can be expected to resume soon.
However, the process of defining the common borderline will be time consuming. This is something which requires patience and sincerity from both countries.
To create an atmosphere conducive to the long and arduous border demarcation work, both sides can start by withdrawing troops and heavy weapons which they deployed after the recent border skirmish. Cambodia, in particular, will need to clear its people and troops out of the 4.6-sq.km. disputed land to show that it is sincere about having this long border conflict settled once and for all.
9 comments:
certainly bkk post talks nonsense about cambodia needs to clear troops and its people from PV....this is nut.....what if I tell the Thais to clear its people from bkk because cambodia has claim over it.....bkk post is a PAD newspaper and bkk post should employ people with knowledge of correct history and unbiased.
Why is Cambodia's border a conflict. It should not be a conflict if Thailand did not step on Khmer soil. Preah Vihear is Khmer and will always be Khmer. Why dont't Thailand give us all of our land back and we can give them that small patch of land if they really want it. Let's do a trade off Thailand if you really want that land so bad. If Thailand pulled out of Khmer soil there would never be conflict between the two countries. Thailand needs to accept the fact that they are sitting on Khmer soil in Surin, Buriram and pretty much all of Thailand to say the least. So if Thailand really want that small patch of land let's do a one for one swap and everybody will be happy.
"However, internal problems on both sides have continued to keep demarcation work on hold." ????
Liar...
Cambodia does not have internal conflict. We are united on the Preas Vihear issue.
Withdraw all Cambodian people from the border? Does it make sence? This editor is suck. If you wanna do so, withdraw Anupung, Somchai and PAD from Bangkok first.
GO TO HELL THAI-THIEVES. ASK YOUR MOTHERS NOT COME CLOSE TO OUR LAND AGAIN.
Everyone around the world know that Thai, thieves, have robbed and continue to rob Khmer's land. Only some selfish and shameless countries or group who have interest with the thai, shameless thieves, ignore it. It is possible to withdraw troop to avoid confrontation, but no way to evacuate khmere people and monks living in the area. It is their land their home from their ancestors till now. Thieves Thai claim themselves Buddhists but they are evacuating and destroying innocent monks and lay people. They will inevitably be punish by Law of Kama and our solidarity.
Clear your head!
Shut your fuck up!
Fuck BKK Post!
THAT IS CAMBODIA'S TERRITORY
Dear All Khmers,
This is a must-read artcile issued by the Bangkok Post. But Pls make a carefull analysis on the content:
"........Cambodia, in particular, will need to clear its people and troops out of the 4.6-sq.km. disputed land to show that it is sincere about having this long border conflict settled once and for all."
Thais are tricking Khmers into giving up territory. the Bangkok Post(Thai Mouthpiece) is now luring the Khmer Leaders to listen to their prompt in solving the border issues.
The Thais are wearing sheep's clothing, pretending to have goodwill in peacefull coexistence with Khmers. In fact, it a just new and old method of aggression and invasion of Cambodia territory.
How dare the Bangkok Post tell Cambodia "to clear Khmer people and troops out of the 4.6-sq.km".
Yes. It easy for Thailand to claim the 4.6-sq.km as no-man land, and then intrude, occupy and send Thais to settle there. They will build up strong army for permanant occupation.
There will be enless war. Cambodia will get tired of making war just for a small piece of land, and possibly give up while the Thais in the long-run will have legal occupation over that piece of land.
These are similar tricks that the Thais have used to the steal the territory from the neighbouring countries, especially Cambodia.
CAMBODIA MUST NOT RELOCATE THE KHMERS FROM THE AREA. It is Khmer land.
TO THE ELECTED LEADERS OF CAMBODIA!
So, the fate of the 4.6-sq.km and other border areas of Cambodia depend totally on the leaders of the New-Generation Khmers. You are elected to lead Cambodia, you must do everything for Khmer People.
Pls do not wash off your hand of national responsibility and put all the blame on the past. This time of your office is your obligation for the fate of Cambodia.
BE MINDFUL OF EVERY WORD THE THAIS USE IN THE TALKS AND EVERY ACT THEY SHOW AS THEY ARE ALWAYS TRICKY.
TAKE OUR OWN ACTIONS RATHER THAN LISTING MUCH TO THE THAIS.
HOPE CAMBODIA UNDER HUN SEN'S RULE WILL BE A STRONG NATION.
M. Tan
The monkeys from Cambodia must stop trying to steal properties and valuables from Khmer people in Thailand.
So much for the Thaicong logic and theory! The Siam can go to hell for their blind ambition!
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