Friday, February 25, 2011

Cambodia appeals ICJ to clarify verdict on disputed temple

25/02/2011
VNA/VOV News

The Cambodian government on February 24 officially asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to explain the Hague’s verdict in 1962 on the sovereignty of the 11th century Preah Vihear temple.

The Cambodian news agency AKP quoted Prime Minister Hun Sen as saying that the country officially sent its proposal together with all relevant documents to the ICJ, appealing this organ to clarify the 1962 verdict that recognises Cambodia’s sovereignty on the Preah Vihear temple.

Earlier, PM Hun Sen said that Cambodia would obey the ICJ’s decision and suggested Thailand respect the decision.

According to the Cambodian government leader, the Cambodia-Thailand conflict can not end with a ceasefire order or observers from the third side which may just ease tension while awaiting for a comprehensive solution for the two countries’ border area.


Cambodian newspapers on February 24 cited the US State Department’s statement applauding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s efforts in addressing the current severe border dispute between the two nations.

ASEAN will send Indonesian observers to the area near the disputed temple to monitor the ceasefire.

On February 23, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced that the country will not withdraw any troop from the border area with Cambodia despite the presence of the Indonesian observers.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

The next step for Cambodia to do is to meet with influential decision made up of the court by sending special envoy to meet them personally and to build rapport with the members of the court. This is the best approach, we just want to make it clear to the world. The ball is on your court Cambodia, and you must drive this initiative. Don't expect the court to come to you. You own it and make sure you live up to your people's expectation.

Thanks,

Anonymous said...

Good move!!

Anonymous said...

agree!

Anonymous said...

this is the best solution for cambodia, to request that the icj clarify their verdict once and for all and set it permanently in stone so all the world will know about it! don't keep it a secret anymore! and icj should inform siem that their rankling violated the law!

Anonymous said...

period!

Anonymous said...

Going to the ICJ is not without risks; however, the risks are very low and also that is the only viable choice for Cambodia since it will not be possible to drive the Thais out of the Cambodian territory by forces or any other means.

Keep in mind though if the ICJ, through its reinterpretation of the 1962 court decision, happens to admit that it does not cover the 4.6 square Km area, then Thailand will surely be very aggressive in pushing for a total control of the area.

Could the ICJ reopen the case as requested by Cambodia without Thailand agreeing to it? If the court can do it, how would its decision be binding on Thailand if she refuses all along not to have the case reopened?

Could someone with knowledges on international laws and the workings of the ICJ provide some answer to these questions?

What are the options for Cambodia?

1. Engage in a war with Thailand at all costs to reclaim this small land while at the same time ignoring the much more land which has been lost along the eastern border?

2. Make a compromise by suggesting to Thailand that the area should be jointly developped? For this choice, hopefully Thailand would agree to this proposal after, let us say, the reopening of the ICJ for the purpose of reinterpretation of the 1962 decision and the its new decision is not as favorable as we have expected.

3. What would Cambodia do if Thailand now decided to say "No" to a joint development plan with Cambodia and wanted a total control of the 4.6 square Km area to herself and is planning to use forces to take it?

4. For any options that require going to war with Thailand, are we, the Cambodians, prepared to accept Mr. Hun Sen and his government as the sole legitimate ruler of Cambodia and for that reason, begin to campaign for solidarity among Cambodians to support Mr. Hun fully in his attempt to get the claimed area back and stop working against his government so that he can have all the time and energy to prepare for the war? In other word, can we all be united as one to support Mr. Hun?

6. Are we prepared to ignore completely the eastern side, for the sake of unity, by not attacking Mr. Hun anymore in order to go to war with Thailand because he seems to be so patriotic on the western side of the country?

5. Can Cambodia and her people afford to go to a protracted war with Thailand?

6. What would we do if the ICJ suggests a joint development over the claimed area in its new interpretation of the 1962 decision?

I invite all of you to try to answers the above posed questions.

Anet Khmer

Anonymous said...

i think we are talking about requesting icj to clarify as the case was closed and the court decision cannot be repeal due to statute of limitation, etc... the court has procedures they follow too, unlike siem pad thugs who violated all the law in the book, etc!

yes, asking for clarification is not the same as if to have the icj re-rule the issue. that's the difference, i think.

after all we are trying to find a lawful solution to siem's stealing for cambodia, etc. that's all!

Anonymous said...

keep in mind 4.6km land is the only road that we khmer can drive up there.In the old day siam king said let them have the temple we (siam) take the land.

Anonymous said...

Totally agree! I do hope ICJ will acknowledge and clarify to Thai that Preah Vihear was and still is belonging to Cambodian. That's that!! This is a risk that Cambodian must take. Whether or not ICJ will favor Cambodian or not, we Khmer will comply with ICJ's decision.

Anonymous said...

1:54

it is easy. since thailand was the party involved, the defend, in the law suit. they are bind to abide by verdict along with maps and documents recognized by both parties. Cambodia has nothing to lose since these official and United Nations recognized maps point the 4.6 skm piece of land is in Cambodia's territory. The only time that is not in the Cambodia's territory is from the Thailand's unilateral map, which no one recognized.

It is a good move to clarify that because by doing that you force Thailand to play by the rule. Which they fear the most....

Thailand just wanted to prove that they are superior race as suppose to Cambodia, which everyone disagreed, and using it for their political gains. Well that is enough for now... you are doing good Cambodia!!!

Anonymous said...

we all take risk in life if we want a positive change. most successful people take risks in life. only .000001% of successful people are successful by luck alone, you know! so start by being proactive for the sake of cambodia forever. god bless cambodia.

Anonymous said...

we have to play game with thai. if we lost we have to fight back. that what they do to us now.

Anonymous said...

don't be stupid hun sen, no need to go back to clarify with the court, as we might lose to the siem. lets make the 1962 decision was final and clear. the land and temple belong to cambodia. if we revise it we may lose this time becauee the world geo-politcs has changed. the siem may have the muscles and influence on important powers like the US, England, other small countries, etc.
Watch ourt khmer, hun sen, don't be silly going back to the court !

ImAGINE IF IT WAS THE SIEM WHO WON THE 1962 CASE , THEY WOULDN'T budge to us, if we khmer tried to make any claim to the area,can you see it ?