Thursday July 24, 2008
Bangkok Post
The Cambodian government has got what it wanted: the successful unilateral listing of the 11th century Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site, even without the ''active support'' pledged by the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej (which was given but later withdrawn due to widespread protests in Thailand). But that appears not to be enough, as Cambodia now wants more. In the aftermath of the failure of the first General Border Committee meeting in Sa Kaeo province on Monday to resolve the conflict over the 4.6 sq km overlapping zone around the ancient temple, the Cambodian government launched a multi-pronged diplomatic offensive in regional and international forums, claiming sovereignty over the zone. In so doing, Phnom Penh accused Thailand of encroaching on its territory and posing a threat to regional peace and stability.
At the Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Singapore on Monday, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong proposed that a contact group be set up to mediate the border conflict. This proposal was rejected at the meeting after a protest from the Thai delegation. Complaints were also sent to the United Nations Security Council by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, accusing Thai troops of intruding into Cambodian territory and asking for the council's intervention. The Security Council is scheduled to discuss the border dispute today.
Cambodia's charge of a border incursion by Thai forces amounts to the shepherd crying ''wolf!'' The charge is outlandish and false. The 4.6 sq km overlapping zone is not Cambodian territory, it is an area contested by both countries, although the temple itself is situated on territory under Cambodia's sovereignty as ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962. Since then, successive Thai governments have abided by the court's ruling although they disagreed with it. Despite the ruling, access to the temple _ which is more convenient from the Thai side _ had been made available to both Thais and Cambodians alike, until only recently when relations became strained following Cambodia's unilateral application for listing the temple as a World Heritage Site.
Cambodia's diplomatic offensive to internationalise the temple issue - whether done to whip up nationalist sentiment among the Cambodian electorate ahead of Sunday's election, or whether Cambodia really wants to lay claim to the disputed territory - is unfriendly and not good neighbourly conduct from a country which has enjoyed friendly relations with Thailand for decades. It has also falsely painted Thailand in a negative light in the eyes of the international community, making Thailand seem like a bully against a small and weak neighbour.
Despite the military buildup at the border by the two countries and Cambodia's rhetoric that is blowing the temple issue out of proportion, there is no immediate threat of an armed conflict breaking out, and the general situation is not critical enough to warrant intervention by the UN Security Council. In fact, both sides have met only once, via the General Border Committee. More effort must be expended to resolve differences in a peaceful and friendly manner.
There will be no peaceful solution if both sides stick to their demands. The only viable and logical solution of mutual benefit is for the two countries to compromise and agree on turning the overlapping area into a peace zone or park, to be jointly developed and managed so that the Preah Vihear temple will truly be a World Heritage Site.
At the Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Singapore on Monday, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong proposed that a contact group be set up to mediate the border conflict. This proposal was rejected at the meeting after a protest from the Thai delegation. Complaints were also sent to the United Nations Security Council by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, accusing Thai troops of intruding into Cambodian territory and asking for the council's intervention. The Security Council is scheduled to discuss the border dispute today.
Cambodia's charge of a border incursion by Thai forces amounts to the shepherd crying ''wolf!'' The charge is outlandish and false. The 4.6 sq km overlapping zone is not Cambodian territory, it is an area contested by both countries, although the temple itself is situated on territory under Cambodia's sovereignty as ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962. Since then, successive Thai governments have abided by the court's ruling although they disagreed with it. Despite the ruling, access to the temple _ which is more convenient from the Thai side _ had been made available to both Thais and Cambodians alike, until only recently when relations became strained following Cambodia's unilateral application for listing the temple as a World Heritage Site.
Cambodia's diplomatic offensive to internationalise the temple issue - whether done to whip up nationalist sentiment among the Cambodian electorate ahead of Sunday's election, or whether Cambodia really wants to lay claim to the disputed territory - is unfriendly and not good neighbourly conduct from a country which has enjoyed friendly relations with Thailand for decades. It has also falsely painted Thailand in a negative light in the eyes of the international community, making Thailand seem like a bully against a small and weak neighbour.
Despite the military buildup at the border by the two countries and Cambodia's rhetoric that is blowing the temple issue out of proportion, there is no immediate threat of an armed conflict breaking out, and the general situation is not critical enough to warrant intervention by the UN Security Council. In fact, both sides have met only once, via the General Border Committee. More effort must be expended to resolve differences in a peaceful and friendly manner.
There will be no peaceful solution if both sides stick to their demands. The only viable and logical solution of mutual benefit is for the two countries to compromise and agree on turning the overlapping area into a peace zone or park, to be jointly developed and managed so that the Preah Vihear temple will truly be a World Heritage Site.
