Dear Readers,
I'm pleased to inform you that the respected New York Herald has just published my article, Cambodia: The economy of aid, in their site. It is a privilege to have my article published in a respected online newspaper as the The New York Herald. Congratulation New York Herald.
Khmerization
Showing posts with label Khmerization's editorial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Khmerization's editorial. Show all posts
Monday, December 08, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Siem Reap Agreement: What does it mean?
Opinion by Khmerization
25th October 2008
At long last, both Cambodia and Thailand are talking seriously to resolve their border disputes because of the internationalisation of the issue and because of pressures from the leaders attending the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing. Both sides, in particular Thailand as the aggressed side, are under international pressures to resolve their differences peacefully and amicably. Both sides, especially Thailand, who as the instigator of the conflict, did not want their image tarnished in the eyes of the international community.
In Siem Reap, both sides have for the first time inked an agreement, after four months of rhetoric, military confrontations and many failed talks. But, what does this agreement mean? And does it amount to anything worthy of celebration?
In any agreement, there is always the pros and the cons. On the pro side, the agreement will provide a climate conducive to the easing of border and military tensions. It would be a prologue to the building of a foundation for the return to normalcy. It can be a basis which will pave the way for a larger, future and comprehensive border agreement. And from a military perspective, the agreement has eliminated mistrusts, boost confidence and building up trusts between the two warring and opposing armies stationing along the borders. In short, on the pro side, the agreement is a testament to the fact that Cambodia and Thailand can talk to each other instead of fighting each other.
All the pros notwithstanding, there are the cons. This agreement raises more questions than providing answers to the present Khmer-Thai conflict. It did not address the more pressing issue and the root cause of the current border spat: Thailand’s aggressions and Thai withdrawal from the Preah Vihear areas.
The agreement is only an agreement “to ease tensions to create peace and stability for the people of the two countries living along the border”. It is not an agreement to resolve the border disputes, which are the root cause of the conflict. The terms of the agreement are superficial, vague and has no substance. It did not include any clause or reference to the withdrawal of Thai troops from the Preah Vihear areas. And with both sides have staunchly vowed to maintain their frontline position and with the Thai side strongly insisting that the deployments of their troops are “inside Thai territory“, coupled with the terms of agreement subject to the approval from the Thai parliament, this agreement is nothing but meaningless.
The agreement should create the mechanisms for the resolution and the withdrawal of Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear areas. It should set conditions for a return to normalcy, that is the pre-15th of July 2008 status quo, before the Thai invasion of the Preah Vihear areas.
From a Cambodian perspective, one must view this agreement pessimistically. Any agreement without any conditions for the withdrawal of the Thai troops from the Preah Vihear, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey temples would provide a de facto recognition of the Thai occupation of those areas and therefore, the Thai de jure ownership of those temples. And the agreement did not insert any clauses and mechanisms in which to prevent further and future Thai encroachments and as well as incursions.
Thailand has a lot to gain from this agreement because the agreement did not cover troop reductions, elimination of heavy weaponry at the border areas. But most importantly, it did not address the root cause of the conflict, which is the Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey temples. On the contrary, Cambodia has a lot to lose, because the agreement has given Thailand the de jure basis for a continued Thai occupation of the Cambodian territories. This agreement, if anything at all, has given Thailand, as the aggressor, a favourable publicity boost it needed to polish its already tarnished image in the eyes of the international community.
In short, this agreement works toward Thai advantages in two fronts. One, the Thai side has locked Cambodia into a commitment not use force to dislodge Thai troops from the Preah Vihear areas in the future. Two, that Thailand has succeeded in presenting its good guy image and hypnotising the international community into believing that Thailand has done everything within its power to resolve the disputes amicably and peacefully, while in fact the root cause of the conflict has not been addressed.
From a Cambodian point of view, this agreement will come to haunt Cambodia in the future. Because the agreement did set any conditions for Thai troop withdrawal from the Cambodian territories, Thailand will use it as a basis in which to launch its campaign to stake a legal ownership claim to the areas that they have occupied, that is to say the Preah Vihear areas, the Ta Moan Thom and the Ta Krabey temples. And so, this agreement is not a cause celebre for the Cambodian people.//
25th October 2008
“Cambodia has a lot to lose, because the agreement has given Thailand the de jure basis for a continued Thai occupation of the Cambodian territories. This agreement, if anything at all, has given Thailand, as the aggressor, a favourable publicity boost it needed to polish its already tarnished image in the eyes of the international community.”
At long last, both Cambodia and Thailand are talking seriously to resolve their border disputes because of the internationalisation of the issue and because of pressures from the leaders attending the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing. Both sides, in particular Thailand as the aggressed side, are under international pressures to resolve their differences peacefully and amicably. Both sides, especially Thailand, who as the instigator of the conflict, did not want their image tarnished in the eyes of the international community.
In Siem Reap, both sides have for the first time inked an agreement, after four months of rhetoric, military confrontations and many failed talks. But, what does this agreement mean? And does it amount to anything worthy of celebration?
In any agreement, there is always the pros and the cons. On the pro side, the agreement will provide a climate conducive to the easing of border and military tensions. It would be a prologue to the building of a foundation for the return to normalcy. It can be a basis which will pave the way for a larger, future and comprehensive border agreement. And from a military perspective, the agreement has eliminated mistrusts, boost confidence and building up trusts between the two warring and opposing armies stationing along the borders. In short, on the pro side, the agreement is a testament to the fact that Cambodia and Thailand can talk to each other instead of fighting each other.
All the pros notwithstanding, there are the cons. This agreement raises more questions than providing answers to the present Khmer-Thai conflict. It did not address the more pressing issue and the root cause of the current border spat: Thailand’s aggressions and Thai withdrawal from the Preah Vihear areas.
The agreement is only an agreement “to ease tensions to create peace and stability for the people of the two countries living along the border”. It is not an agreement to resolve the border disputes, which are the root cause of the conflict. The terms of the agreement are superficial, vague and has no substance. It did not include any clause or reference to the withdrawal of Thai troops from the Preah Vihear areas. And with both sides have staunchly vowed to maintain their frontline position and with the Thai side strongly insisting that the deployments of their troops are “inside Thai territory“, coupled with the terms of agreement subject to the approval from the Thai parliament, this agreement is nothing but meaningless.
The agreement should create the mechanisms for the resolution and the withdrawal of Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear areas. It should set conditions for a return to normalcy, that is the pre-15th of July 2008 status quo, before the Thai invasion of the Preah Vihear areas.
From a Cambodian perspective, one must view this agreement pessimistically. Any agreement without any conditions for the withdrawal of the Thai troops from the Preah Vihear, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey temples would provide a de facto recognition of the Thai occupation of those areas and therefore, the Thai de jure ownership of those temples. And the agreement did not insert any clauses and mechanisms in which to prevent further and future Thai encroachments and as well as incursions.
Thailand has a lot to gain from this agreement because the agreement did not cover troop reductions, elimination of heavy weaponry at the border areas. But most importantly, it did not address the root cause of the conflict, which is the Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey temples. On the contrary, Cambodia has a lot to lose, because the agreement has given Thailand the de jure basis for a continued Thai occupation of the Cambodian territories. This agreement, if anything at all, has given Thailand, as the aggressor, a favourable publicity boost it needed to polish its already tarnished image in the eyes of the international community.
In short, this agreement works toward Thai advantages in two fronts. One, the Thai side has locked Cambodia into a commitment not use force to dislodge Thai troops from the Preah Vihear areas in the future. Two, that Thailand has succeeded in presenting its good guy image and hypnotising the international community into believing that Thailand has done everything within its power to resolve the disputes amicably and peacefully, while in fact the root cause of the conflict has not been addressed.
From a Cambodian point of view, this agreement will come to haunt Cambodia in the future. Because the agreement did set any conditions for Thai troop withdrawal from the Cambodian territories, Thailand will use it as a basis in which to launch its campaign to stake a legal ownership claim to the areas that they have occupied, that is to say the Preah Vihear areas, the Ta Moan Thom and the Ta Krabey temples. And so, this agreement is not a cause celebre for the Cambodian people.//
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Thailand has been taught a good lesson
Opinion by Khmerization
17th October 2008
The fighting between Cambodian and Thai troops in the vicinity of Preah Vihear temple on Wednesday the 15th of October has taught Thailand one lesson, that Cambodia’s patience has its limits and that Thailand’s bullying and standover tactic can result in deadly consequences.
The fighting, which surely provoked by Thailand’s continued encroachments on Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity, have left 3 Cambodian soldiers dead and two wounded and, if the Cambodian claims are to be believed, at least between 5 to 12 Thai soldiers were killed, 5 wounded and 13 captured.
In any wars, it is the fighters on the ground who will bear the greatest brunt and their bereaved families who will be scarred for years to come. Their deaths are always regrettable but, in this case, they died as heroes because they were fighting to defend their nation against foreign aggressors.
Coming back to the fighting, although I regretted that it has happened, I also applaud the actions of the Cambodian fighters who have put their life on the lines to defend the Cambodian nation. They have sacrificed their life protecting their country against foreign invaders. The Thai need to be taught a good lesson. Without any kinds of reactions, actions or resistance, the Thai would just step on our heads. Thai troops have encroached on Cambodian territories in many areas since July. If these sorts of actions were taken by the Cambodian leadership and the military in July, the Thai would not have occupied the Preah Vihear until today. And one would wonder why, after the area has been re-occupied by Cambodian troops after the Wednesday fighting, that the Thai are allowed to re-occupied it again is beyond comprehension. Is it because the Cambodian leaders have been intimidated by the superiority of Thai military and therefore are terrified of them?
After those clashes on Wednesday I bet that the Thai would not dare to mess around with Cambodia any longer as they have done in the past. They have looked down on the Cambodian troops, they have psychologically, and even physically, intimidated them. There is a saying that a dog, when cornered, will bite back. This was the case with the Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday. They have been provoked, intimidated with artilleries and aircrafts reconnaissance and even with troops numbers. And because of their military superiority, the Thai have provoked a fight by crossing the borderlines into Cambodian territories. The Cambodian soldiers have been provoked, cornered and so they were left with no choice but to fight back.
I am not an advocate of wars in order to resolve conflict. I am for peaceful resolution. But I would advocate that in the future, if Thai troops continue to cross into Cambodian territories, these sorts of encroachments must be vehemently met with armed resistance. Defending one’s own nation is a noble cause and therefore using armed resistance to deter foreign invasion is acceptable. And the Thai must be taught a good lesson for their bad boy and bullish behaviours.
The clashes on Wednesday was a victory for Cambodia. Even though the clashes might be considered as a Pyrrhic victory for Cambodia due to three deaths, but Cambodia has achieved its aim, and that is to deter future Thai encroachments. Mission accomplished!//
17th October 2008
“The Thai need to be taught a good lesson. Without any kinds of reactions, actions or resistance, the Thai would just step on our heads. Thai troops have encroached on Cambodian territories in many areas since July. If these sorts of actions were taken by the Cambodian leadership and the military in July, the Thai would not have occupied the Preah Vihear until today.”
The fighting between Cambodian and Thai troops in the vicinity of Preah Vihear temple on Wednesday the 15th of October has taught Thailand one lesson, that Cambodia’s patience has its limits and that Thailand’s bullying and standover tactic can result in deadly consequences.
The fighting, which surely provoked by Thailand’s continued encroachments on Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity, have left 3 Cambodian soldiers dead and two wounded and, if the Cambodian claims are to be believed, at least between 5 to 12 Thai soldiers were killed, 5 wounded and 13 captured.
In any wars, it is the fighters on the ground who will bear the greatest brunt and their bereaved families who will be scarred for years to come. Their deaths are always regrettable but, in this case, they died as heroes because they were fighting to defend their nation against foreign aggressors.
Coming back to the fighting, although I regretted that it has happened, I also applaud the actions of the Cambodian fighters who have put their life on the lines to defend the Cambodian nation. They have sacrificed their life protecting their country against foreign invaders. The Thai need to be taught a good lesson. Without any kinds of reactions, actions or resistance, the Thai would just step on our heads. Thai troops have encroached on Cambodian territories in many areas since July. If these sorts of actions were taken by the Cambodian leadership and the military in July, the Thai would not have occupied the Preah Vihear until today. And one would wonder why, after the area has been re-occupied by Cambodian troops after the Wednesday fighting, that the Thai are allowed to re-occupied it again is beyond comprehension. Is it because the Cambodian leaders have been intimidated by the superiority of Thai military and therefore are terrified of them?
After those clashes on Wednesday I bet that the Thai would not dare to mess around with Cambodia any longer as they have done in the past. They have looked down on the Cambodian troops, they have psychologically, and even physically, intimidated them. There is a saying that a dog, when cornered, will bite back. This was the case with the Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday. They have been provoked, intimidated with artilleries and aircrafts reconnaissance and even with troops numbers. And because of their military superiority, the Thai have provoked a fight by crossing the borderlines into Cambodian territories. The Cambodian soldiers have been provoked, cornered and so they were left with no choice but to fight back.
I am not an advocate of wars in order to resolve conflict. I am for peaceful resolution. But I would advocate that in the future, if Thai troops continue to cross into Cambodian territories, these sorts of encroachments must be vehemently met with armed resistance. Defending one’s own nation is a noble cause and therefore using armed resistance to deter foreign invasion is acceptable. And the Thai must be taught a good lesson for their bad boy and bullish behaviours.
The clashes on Wednesday was a victory for Cambodia. Even though the clashes might be considered as a Pyrrhic victory for Cambodia due to three deaths, but Cambodia has achieved its aim, and that is to deter future Thai encroachments. Mission accomplished!//
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
PM Hun Sen warned Thailand: withdraw or face a ‘Death Zone’
Opinion by Khmerization
14th October, 2008
At long last PM Hun Sen has done what should be done a long time ago, and that is warning Thailand of a 'death zone'. The strong reactions displayed by Mr. Hun Sen and that of Foreign Minister Hor Namhong in the face of continued territorial violations by Thailand and its refusal to withdraw troops from Cambodian territories are signs that the Cambodian patience is wearing thin and that Mr. Hun Sen is stepping in the right directions and his strong statements against Thailand’s aggression should be wholeheartedly welcomed by all Cambodians from all political persuasions.
I have been advocating for a strong reaction for sometimes to these Thai flagrant and gross violations of Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity. In the face of renewed and continued violations and Thai intransigence, Cambodia must send a strong message to Thailand that its actions could no longer be tolerated by Cambodia.
Since Cambodia’s inactions and, to a certain extent, frightened reactions, to the first Thai invasion of the Preah Vihear area on 15th of July 2008, Thailand has been waging a campaign of relentless violations of Cambodian territories without any attempts to resist those violations from the Cambodia troops. Preah Vihear, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey, O’plok Damrey in Pursat, Veal Indri at Phnom Trop and as recently as a few days ago, a Buddhist pagoda at Rumchet at Choam Ksan of the Golden Triangle between Laos, Thailand and Cambodia’s borders have been encroached by Thailand. These sorts of violations must not be allowed to go unchallenged. They must be stopped at all cost.
I, and I hope that other compatriots, have also said in the past that the continuation of bilateral talks with Thailand will produce no results because Thailand was not and has never been sincere in its talks with Cambodia, as was evident in the many fruitless bilateral talks in the past. Thailand came to the negotiating tables just to appease Cambodia and the UN Security Council not to get involved. The same will happen with the future meetings that were agreed on Monday. The only solutions Thailand want out of the meetings are that Cambodia must agree to give ownership to Thailand all the territories it has claimed and occupied.
If Cambodia does not resort to using force to deter future encroachments, Thailand will continue to encroach at its free will. And unless Cambodia will seek international involvements, or by using force to push Thai troops out, Thailand will never withdraw from the Cambodian territories that they have occupied and the Thai occupation of those territories will be a fait accompli.
Cambodia might be no match for Thailand militarily. The same can be said of Laos. But Laos has taught Thailand a lesson at the battle of Ban Romklao in 1989 when nearly 600 Thai troops were massacred by Laotian troops during the fighting for the control of that village. Since then, Thailand never mess around with Laos anymore. And a few days ago Laotian troops had fired on a group of Thai soldiers trying to trespass Laotian territories. The Thai troops withdrew in split seconds.
In drawing an analogy with the Laotian situation, Cambodia should employ the same actions a long time ago, when Thailand first sent in their troops to invade Preah Vihear. If Cambodia was firm then, encroachments at Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey, O’plok Damrey and Veal Indri at Phnom Trop would never have happened.
In summing up this editorial, I advocate that some sorts of strong diplomatic, and to a certain extent, strong military pressures, be exerted on Thailand. By saying this I mean that, should Thailand refuse to withdraw its troops, some sorts of armed clash should occur, especially at Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey and Phnom Trop. And any attempts by Thai troops to cross into Cambodian territories in the future must be met with armed resistance. These sorts of actions are the effective deterrence against future encroachments, as has been proven by the actions of the Laotian troops.
I advocate that some sorts of strong diplomatic, and to a certain extent, strong military pressures, be exerted on Thailand. By saying this I mean that, should Thailand refuse to withdraw its troops, some sorts of armed clash should occur, especially at Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey and Phnom Trop. And any attempts by Thai troops to cross into Cambodian territories in the future must be met with armed resistance. These sorts of actions are the effective deterrence against future encroachments, as has been proven by the actions of the Laotian troops.
At long last PM Hun Sen has done what should be done a long time ago, and that is warning Thailand of a 'death zone'. The strong reactions displayed by Mr. Hun Sen and that of Foreign Minister Hor Namhong in the face of continued territorial violations by Thailand and its refusal to withdraw troops from Cambodian territories are signs that the Cambodian patience is wearing thin and that Mr. Hun Sen is stepping in the right directions and his strong statements against Thailand’s aggression should be wholeheartedly welcomed by all Cambodians from all political persuasions.
I have been advocating for a strong reaction for sometimes to these Thai flagrant and gross violations of Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity. In the face of renewed and continued violations and Thai intransigence, Cambodia must send a strong message to Thailand that its actions could no longer be tolerated by Cambodia.
Since Cambodia’s inactions and, to a certain extent, frightened reactions, to the first Thai invasion of the Preah Vihear area on 15th of July 2008, Thailand has been waging a campaign of relentless violations of Cambodian territories without any attempts to resist those violations from the Cambodia troops. Preah Vihear, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey, O’plok Damrey in Pursat, Veal Indri at Phnom Trop and as recently as a few days ago, a Buddhist pagoda at Rumchet at Choam Ksan of the Golden Triangle between Laos, Thailand and Cambodia’s borders have been encroached by Thailand. These sorts of violations must not be allowed to go unchallenged. They must be stopped at all cost.
I, and I hope that other compatriots, have also said in the past that the continuation of bilateral talks with Thailand will produce no results because Thailand was not and has never been sincere in its talks with Cambodia, as was evident in the many fruitless bilateral talks in the past. Thailand came to the negotiating tables just to appease Cambodia and the UN Security Council not to get involved. The same will happen with the future meetings that were agreed on Monday. The only solutions Thailand want out of the meetings are that Cambodia must agree to give ownership to Thailand all the territories it has claimed and occupied.
If Cambodia does not resort to using force to deter future encroachments, Thailand will continue to encroach at its free will. And unless Cambodia will seek international involvements, or by using force to push Thai troops out, Thailand will never withdraw from the Cambodian territories that they have occupied and the Thai occupation of those territories will be a fait accompli.
Cambodia might be no match for Thailand militarily. The same can be said of Laos. But Laos has taught Thailand a lesson at the battle of Ban Romklao in 1989 when nearly 600 Thai troops were massacred by Laotian troops during the fighting for the control of that village. Since then, Thailand never mess around with Laos anymore. And a few days ago Laotian troops had fired on a group of Thai soldiers trying to trespass Laotian territories. The Thai troops withdrew in split seconds.
In drawing an analogy with the Laotian situation, Cambodia should employ the same actions a long time ago, when Thailand first sent in their troops to invade Preah Vihear. If Cambodia was firm then, encroachments at Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey, O’plok Damrey and Veal Indri at Phnom Trop would never have happened.
In summing up this editorial, I advocate that some sorts of strong diplomatic, and to a certain extent, strong military pressures, be exerted on Thailand. By saying this I mean that, should Thailand refuse to withdraw its troops, some sorts of armed clash should occur, especially at Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey and Phnom Trop. And any attempts by Thai troops to cross into Cambodian territories in the future must be met with armed resistance. These sorts of actions are the effective deterrence against future encroachments, as has been proven by the actions of the Laotian troops.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Thailand’s Diplomatic Games Of Hide-And-Seek
Opinion by Khmerization
26th August, 2008
Thailand’s diplomatic games of hide-and-seek over the issues of Preah Vihear and Ta Moan temples is nothing short of dishonesty and should be a concern to all Khmer patriots. Equally, the soft, and sometimes lethargic, response of the Cambodian government to Thailand’s aggression and invasion is worrisome. And Cambodia’s agreements to allow 10 Thai soldiers to remain in the occupied territories is a diplomatic disaster and is tantamount to a de jure recognition of Thailand’s rightful claims to the “occupied territories“. It is also tantamount to surrendering the Khmer sovereignty and territorial integrity to Thailand.
I have said all along that Thailand wants to use bilateral talks, as opposed to the internationalisation of the issue, as a mean to buy more time and to prolong the occupation of the so-called “disputed territories”. With three fruitless negotiations so far, the military status quo remains unchanged and the occupation still continues unabated.
Cambodia must not be so naïve and must realise that Thailand was the aggressor and the invader. Any negotiations must include a demand for a total Thai withdrawal from the occupied territories. To agree to a partial withdrawal is tantamount to no withdrawal at all because the reality is that the areas are still occupied by Thai forces, whether with 1,000 troops or 10 soldiers is no different, as the areas remained under occupation. The current agreement for troop reduction, as opposed to total troop withdrawal, is a diplomatic victory for Thailand. In short, Thailand had achieved what they set out to achieve and that is to remain in the occupied territories and stake a territorial claim over the areas.
With Thailand engaging in active diplomatic manoeuvres in recent weeks, Cambodia should have woken up to the facts of Thailand’s real intentions already and that is to remain in the “occupied territories“ permanently and stake a legal claim over the areas. In the past few weeks, Thailand had invited journalists and foreign diplomatic corps to visit the “occupied territories” . The Thai PM, Mr. Samak, had planned to visit the areas. But most worrisome is Thailand’s actions of involving U.S President George W. Bush on the Preah Vihear disputes with Cambodia when it briefed him on the issues during Bush’s recent visit to Thailand. Thailand’s diplomatic drives, including involving the U.S president in the disputes, is nothing short of dishonesty. Thailand was vehemently opposed to Cambodia taking the issue to the international stage by saying that it is a bilateral issue that should be resolved through bilateral talks. And yet Thailand had actively and dishonestly engaged in a diplomatic coup to get an advantage edge over Cambodia.
Cambodia should wake up to the facts by now. With its active diplomatic manoeuvres in recent weeks, Thailand is sending a clear message to Cambodia that it is preparing for a long battle of diplomatic and legal war, or possibly a real battleground warfare with Cambodia over Preah Vihear. With the world focussing their attention on the Beijing Olympic Games and the war between Georgia and Russia raging in South Ossetia, the Cambodia-Thai military confrontations in Preah Vihear and Ta Moan temples is only a footnote to the world event and would not warrant their attention. That’s why I have said all along that Cambodia must bring the Preah Vihear issue to the world stage when it is still hot.
The talks in Hua Hin, in Thailand’s southern resort town, on the 18th of August will not yield any fruitful results for Cambodia. On the contrary, it will be another diplomatic victory for Thailand again, if Cambodia did not succeed in its demand for a total withdrawal by Thai troops from the Preah Vihear areas.
Cambodia should go to the negotiating table with clear set of goals. Cambodia must not be ambivalent on the Preah Vihear and Ta Moan temples. It must be unequivocally and consistently insisting on a total Thai withdrawal. Anything else, including border demarcations, should be off the agenda and should be discussed only after the Thai withdrawal had been verified as complete. If Cambodia did not have a clear set of agenda, then it surely will fall into Thailand’s trap of diplomatic games of hide-and-seek like in the previous three negotiations. If so, Cambodia had been hypnotised, duped and naively and unknowingly been deceived times and times again. I am very pessimistic about the Preah Vihear solutions because anything less than a total Thai withdrawal is unacceptable. And I do not hope to see a total Thai withdrawal in the foreseeable future.
26th August, 2008
“Thailand’s diplomatic drives, including involving the U.S president in the disputes, is nothing short of dishonesty. Thailand was vehemently opposed to Cambodia taking the issue to the international stage by saying that it is a bilateral issue that should be resolved through bilateral talks. And yet Thailand had actively and dishonestly engaged in a diplomatic coup to get an advantage edge over Cambodia.”
Thailand’s diplomatic games of hide-and-seek over the issues of Preah Vihear and Ta Moan temples is nothing short of dishonesty and should be a concern to all Khmer patriots. Equally, the soft, and sometimes lethargic, response of the Cambodian government to Thailand’s aggression and invasion is worrisome. And Cambodia’s agreements to allow 10 Thai soldiers to remain in the occupied territories is a diplomatic disaster and is tantamount to a de jure recognition of Thailand’s rightful claims to the “occupied territories“. It is also tantamount to surrendering the Khmer sovereignty and territorial integrity to Thailand.
I have said all along that Thailand wants to use bilateral talks, as opposed to the internationalisation of the issue, as a mean to buy more time and to prolong the occupation of the so-called “disputed territories”. With three fruitless negotiations so far, the military status quo remains unchanged and the occupation still continues unabated.
Cambodia must not be so naïve and must realise that Thailand was the aggressor and the invader. Any negotiations must include a demand for a total Thai withdrawal from the occupied territories. To agree to a partial withdrawal is tantamount to no withdrawal at all because the reality is that the areas are still occupied by Thai forces, whether with 1,000 troops or 10 soldiers is no different, as the areas remained under occupation. The current agreement for troop reduction, as opposed to total troop withdrawal, is a diplomatic victory for Thailand. In short, Thailand had achieved what they set out to achieve and that is to remain in the occupied territories and stake a territorial claim over the areas.
With Thailand engaging in active diplomatic manoeuvres in recent weeks, Cambodia should have woken up to the facts of Thailand’s real intentions already and that is to remain in the “occupied territories“ permanently and stake a legal claim over the areas. In the past few weeks, Thailand had invited journalists and foreign diplomatic corps to visit the “occupied territories” . The Thai PM, Mr. Samak, had planned to visit the areas. But most worrisome is Thailand’s actions of involving U.S President George W. Bush on the Preah Vihear disputes with Cambodia when it briefed him on the issues during Bush’s recent visit to Thailand. Thailand’s diplomatic drives, including involving the U.S president in the disputes, is nothing short of dishonesty. Thailand was vehemently opposed to Cambodia taking the issue to the international stage by saying that it is a bilateral issue that should be resolved through bilateral talks. And yet Thailand had actively and dishonestly engaged in a diplomatic coup to get an advantage edge over Cambodia.
Cambodia should wake up to the facts by now. With its active diplomatic manoeuvres in recent weeks, Thailand is sending a clear message to Cambodia that it is preparing for a long battle of diplomatic and legal war, or possibly a real battleground warfare with Cambodia over Preah Vihear. With the world focussing their attention on the Beijing Olympic Games and the war between Georgia and Russia raging in South Ossetia, the Cambodia-Thai military confrontations in Preah Vihear and Ta Moan temples is only a footnote to the world event and would not warrant their attention. That’s why I have said all along that Cambodia must bring the Preah Vihear issue to the world stage when it is still hot.
The talks in Hua Hin, in Thailand’s southern resort town, on the 18th of August will not yield any fruitful results for Cambodia. On the contrary, it will be another diplomatic victory for Thailand again, if Cambodia did not succeed in its demand for a total withdrawal by Thai troops from the Preah Vihear areas.
Cambodia should go to the negotiating table with clear set of goals. Cambodia must not be ambivalent on the Preah Vihear and Ta Moan temples. It must be unequivocally and consistently insisting on a total Thai withdrawal. Anything else, including border demarcations, should be off the agenda and should be discussed only after the Thai withdrawal had been verified as complete. If Cambodia did not have a clear set of agenda, then it surely will fall into Thailand’s trap of diplomatic games of hide-and-seek like in the previous three negotiations. If so, Cambodia had been hypnotised, duped and naively and unknowingly been deceived times and times again. I am very pessimistic about the Preah Vihear solutions because anything less than a total Thai withdrawal is unacceptable. And I do not hope to see a total Thai withdrawal in the foreseeable future.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Thai Hegemony Must Not Be Allowed To Go On Unstopped
Opinion by Khmerization
4th August 2008
“Thai hegemonism must not be allowed to go on unstopped. This is the 21st century and the policy of hegemony, militarism and expansionism is out of date and is a barbaric form of actions to resolving any neighbourly disputes. Diplomatic and legal approach to resolving any disputes, whether of territorial, diplomatic or legal natures, is the international norm and civilised practice.”
Khmer of all political persuasions, regardless of their political leanings and where they live, should be outraged by the news that Thailand had sent troops to occupy another Khmer temple, the Ta Moan Thom temple.
Thai hegemonism must not be allowed to go on unstopped. This is the 21st century and the policy of hegemony, militarism and expansionism is out of date and is a barbaric form of actions to resolving any neighbourly disputes. Diplomatic and legal approach to resolving any disputes, whether of territorial, diplomatic or legal natures, is the international norm and civilised practice.
The Thai occupation of the Ta Moan Thom temple, while the issue of its occupation of Preah Vihear’s “disputed zone” has not been resolved, has stretched the Cambodian patience to its limits. These sorts of barbaric acts must be condemned in the strongest term.
The Cambodian government must not pretend to be a nice guy with Thailand any more. It must act like a grown up person who can stand up to Thailand’s bully. Militarily, Cambodia is no match for Thailand. But there is a saying that a cornered dog will bite back and bite back hard.
Cambodia cannot stand up to Thailand militarily, but Cambodia has the diplomatic and legal advantages over these two disputes. Cambodia must use these two channels to its advantages before it is too late. To pretend to go along with the bilateral negotiations, which is Thailand’s game of a diplomatic hide-and-seek, is suicidal. By now, after two fruitless talks, Cambodia should have realised that it is a diplomatic game played by Thailand to buy more time in order to prolong the occupation in the hope that the international community would lose their interests in the disputes and Cambodia would soften its stand and agree to share those lands.
Cambodia should lodge a formal complaint to the UN Security Council immediately. The occupation of the Ta Moan temple is another good chance for a complaint to the UN Security Council. Should the UN fail to act, Cambodia must not hesitate in bring the matter to the International Court of Justice in The Hague one more time to settle, not just the Preah Vihear and Ta Moan border disputes, but all the border areas along the borders with Thailand.
If Cambodia fail now to take a decisive action to stop Thailand, Thailand will be unstoppable. Now, it is the occupation of the Ta Moan and Preah Vihear temples. In the future it would be Banteay Chhmar temple or other temples located along the borders with Thailand. Cambodia must act now or it will be too late.//
Saturday, August 02, 2008
When Thailand Cries Wolf
Opinion by Khmerization
2nd August 2008
The editorial “When Cambodia Cries Wolf” published in Thailand’s The Nation newspaper on 1st of August deserves my attention and warrants my strong response. As someone who believe in the truth, not the twisted truth, such an unfair comment should not be allowed to go unchallenged. And hence, comes my following response.
With such a truth twisted by the article in The Nation newspaper above, one could not let it goes without a response. Thailand, as an invader, cannot cry foul when it comes to the issue of Preah Vihear. The world, in particular Thailand, knew full well that Preah Vihear was and is the exclusive property of Cambodia. The documents and maps from the 1904 and 1907 treaty, signed between Cambodia and Thailand, showed clearly that Preah Vihear temple and the so-called “overlapping area” are located inside Cambodian territories. And hence, Thailand has no right whatsoever regarding the affairs of Preah Vihear.
Even though Preah Vihear temple is an exclusive property of Cambodia, Cambodia has shown sincerity and good intentions all along. It has showed goodwill by agreeing to consult with Thailand about the listing of the temple. Cambodia was very patient when Thailand twice blocked the listing of Preah Vihear.
So, talking about the lack of sincerity and ill intentions, The Nation cannot say it better than that, but it should be said of Thailand rather than of Cambodia. Thailand has shown its lack of sincerity all along. It has blocked Cambodia’s attempt to list the Preah Vihear temple twice, in 2006 and 2007. Thailand has back-flipped on its decision to support the listing of Preah Vihear on several occasions. It signed a joint communiqué with Cambodia to support the listing and then withdrew it. Is this what The Nation called sincerity and good intention?
And what sincerity and good intentions has Thailand shown to Cambodia when it sent its troops to invade the Cambodian territories in the Preah Vihear area? The Nation was talking about resolving the Preah Vihear issue “in an amicable way without being aggressive”. The author cannot say it better, but again, it should be referred to Thailand’s belligerent and aggressive behaviour of sending in the troops to occupy Cambodian territories. The “amicable way” to resolve the dispute had not been taken by Thailand when it flexed its military might and muscles after it sent the troops to occupy a Buddhist temple and a Cambodian village with over 900 villagers living, by terrorizing them into fleeing en masse. On the other hand, Cambodia had chosen to resolve the Thai invasion “in an amicable way” by not ordering its troops to open fire and by trying to engage Thailand diplomatically to peacefully resolve the issue. But up until now Thailand has steadfastly refused to withdraw its troops. Any other countries would have gone to the UN Security Council or the World Court already.
The article also envisaged a solution within the ASEAN framework and not trying to internationalise the issue. Cambodia is a member of ASEAN and when this grouping refused to heed Cambodia’s call for help, Cambodia has the right to seek other venue to for help and in this case the UN which Cambodia is also a member. Thailand has successfully blocked ASEAN from stepping in and it opposed taking the issue to the UN as it did not want the issue internationalised. Thailand knew full well that it had encroached on Cambodian territories in many places along the border. Thailand is opposed to the Internationalisation of the issue because it would expose more of Thai encroachments. This is what Thailand did not want.
Cambodia did not need to tarnish Thailand’s reputation. Thailand’s own action regrading the Preah Vihear issue will tarnish Thailand’s reputation by itself.
By not taking the issue of Thailand’s invasion to the UN Security Council, Cambodia has shown its goodwill, sincerity and good intentions. Up until now, Thailand has shown nothing of sort. Thailand still refused to withdraw its troops. Thailand has come to the negotiations because it has no choice due to international condemnation but most importantly, it came to the negotiating table as a mean to buy time and prolong the occupation until such time Cambodia agrees to share the areas or partitioning the lands.
Cambodia should not play this game of a diplomatic hide-and-seek with Thailand any longer. Cambodia must stop negotiating with Thailand and take the issue of Thai invasion to the UN Security Council if Thailand still refuse to make a full and complete withdrawal. The two negotiations in the past were games played by Thailand to buy time and prolong the occupation until the international community lost interests in the issue and then the Thai occupation would become a fait accompli. This is the outcome that Thailand would hope for by playing a diplomatic hide-and-seek with Cambodia. Cambodia must not allow itself to fall into Thailand’s trap.//
---------------2nd August 2008
“Thailand has come to the negotiations because it has no choice due to international condemnation but most importantly, it came to the negotiating table as a mean to buy time and prolong the occupation until such time Cambodia agrees to share the areas or partitioning the lands.”
The editorial “When Cambodia Cries Wolf” published in Thailand’s The Nation newspaper on 1st of August deserves my attention and warrants my strong response. As someone who believe in the truth, not the twisted truth, such an unfair comment should not be allowed to go unchallenged. And hence, comes my following response.
“Cambodia knows exactly when and where to hit Thailand to inflict the most pain to its neighbour to the east. Repeated attempts by Phnom Penh to raise the Preah Vihear dispute in the international level in forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement shows a lack of sincerity and ill intentions.” The Nation
With such a truth twisted by the article in The Nation newspaper above, one could not let it goes without a response. Thailand, as an invader, cannot cry foul when it comes to the issue of Preah Vihear. The world, in particular Thailand, knew full well that Preah Vihear was and is the exclusive property of Cambodia. The documents and maps from the 1904 and 1907 treaty, signed between Cambodia and Thailand, showed clearly that Preah Vihear temple and the so-called “overlapping area” are located inside Cambodian territories. And hence, Thailand has no right whatsoever regarding the affairs of Preah Vihear.
Even though Preah Vihear temple is an exclusive property of Cambodia, Cambodia has shown sincerity and good intentions all along. It has showed goodwill by agreeing to consult with Thailand about the listing of the temple. Cambodia was very patient when Thailand twice blocked the listing of Preah Vihear.
So, talking about the lack of sincerity and ill intentions, The Nation cannot say it better than that, but it should be said of Thailand rather than of Cambodia. Thailand has shown its lack of sincerity all along. It has blocked Cambodia’s attempt to list the Preah Vihear temple twice, in 2006 and 2007. Thailand has back-flipped on its decision to support the listing of Preah Vihear on several occasions. It signed a joint communiqué with Cambodia to support the listing and then withdrew it. Is this what The Nation called sincerity and good intention?
And what sincerity and good intentions has Thailand shown to Cambodia when it sent its troops to invade the Cambodian territories in the Preah Vihear area? The Nation was talking about resolving the Preah Vihear issue “in an amicable way without being aggressive”. The author cannot say it better, but again, it should be referred to Thailand’s belligerent and aggressive behaviour of sending in the troops to occupy Cambodian territories. The “amicable way” to resolve the dispute had not been taken by Thailand when it flexed its military might and muscles after it sent the troops to occupy a Buddhist temple and a Cambodian village with over 900 villagers living, by terrorizing them into fleeing en masse. On the other hand, Cambodia had chosen to resolve the Thai invasion “in an amicable way” by not ordering its troops to open fire and by trying to engage Thailand diplomatically to peacefully resolve the issue. But up until now Thailand has steadfastly refused to withdraw its troops. Any other countries would have gone to the UN Security Council or the World Court already.
The article also envisaged a solution within the ASEAN framework and not trying to internationalise the issue. Cambodia is a member of ASEAN and when this grouping refused to heed Cambodia’s call for help, Cambodia has the right to seek other venue to for help and in this case the UN which Cambodia is also a member. Thailand has successfully blocked ASEAN from stepping in and it opposed taking the issue to the UN as it did not want the issue internationalised. Thailand knew full well that it had encroached on Cambodian territories in many places along the border. Thailand is opposed to the Internationalisation of the issue because it would expose more of Thai encroachments. This is what Thailand did not want.
Cambodia did not need to tarnish Thailand’s reputation. Thailand’s own action regrading the Preah Vihear issue will tarnish Thailand’s reputation by itself.
By not taking the issue of Thailand’s invasion to the UN Security Council, Cambodia has shown its goodwill, sincerity and good intentions. Up until now, Thailand has shown nothing of sort. Thailand still refused to withdraw its troops. Thailand has come to the negotiations because it has no choice due to international condemnation but most importantly, it came to the negotiating table as a mean to buy time and prolong the occupation until such time Cambodia agrees to share the areas or partitioning the lands.
Cambodia should not play this game of a diplomatic hide-and-seek with Thailand any longer. Cambodia must stop negotiating with Thailand and take the issue of Thai invasion to the UN Security Council if Thailand still refuse to make a full and complete withdrawal. The two negotiations in the past were games played by Thailand to buy time and prolong the occupation until the international community lost interests in the issue and then the Thai occupation would become a fait accompli. This is the outcome that Thailand would hope for by playing a diplomatic hide-and-seek with Cambodia. Cambodia must not allow itself to fall into Thailand’s trap.//
1. Related article: Who's The Crying Wolf?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
United As Losers
(L-R) Sam Rainsy, Kem Sokha (Human Right Party), Sisowath Sirirath (Funcinpec) and Muth Chantha (Norodom Ranariddh Party) united in rejecting the election results.Opinion by Khmerization
30th July 2008
Once again the Cambodian opposition has shown the Cambodian voters and the world that they are so united against the Cambodian People’s Party and electoral fraud. Time and time again, the Cambodian opposition has proven that they are so united as losers, but evidently they were so divided when they should be united. I am talking about their failure to unite before the election.
I have great sympathy for their cry foul because, like them, I believe that the past three elections have been flawed and fraudulently rigged. But I must say that, without any prejudice or partiality, I am very disappointed with their behaviours so far because, as usual, they are united and on talking term only when they lost the election already. On the contrary, they were fighting each other like cats and dogs before the election. If they have not been so divided and if they were so united before the election, like what they are doing now, the election results and the political landscape would have been a little bit tilted in their favours.
The arrogance that have been shown by the Human Right Party, the Sam Rainsy Party as well as the Norodom Ranariddh Party has costed them dearly. Each and everyone of them were so arrogant about their electoral chances that they never took the formation of an alliance with each other seriously. Now they probably realised that they have made a big mistake by not forming an alliance before the election, but the past is the past and it cannot be undone. And 5 more years waiting in the opposition bench.
In spite of my rave review of the opposition’s disarray, I am sympathetic with their cause. They, especially the Sam Rainsy Party, have been campaigning very successfully with high turn out, only to be robbed at the ballot box and at vote-counting. I believe that the 26 seats said to have been won by the Sam Rainsy Party does not reflect the real election results and the true will of the voters. With the high numbers of turn out at every Sam Rainsy Party’s rally, this party should have won more seats, far more than the 26 seats. Irregularities and electoral fraud committed by the Cambodian People’s Party are the main causes and reasons for the poor performance by the Sam Rainsy Party and the unexpected good performance of the Cambodian People’s Party.
To sum up the election results, I would say that it is a fraudulent election that did not reflect the true will of the Cambodian voters. But equally, it was a result of the disunity of the opposition as well. United as losers will not achieve anything. Unity must happen when unity is needed the most and in this case, it should happen before the election.
30th July 2008
“United as losers will not achieve anything. Unity must happen when unity is needed the most and in this case, it should happen before the election.”
Once again the Cambodian opposition has shown the Cambodian voters and the world that they are so united against the Cambodian People’s Party and electoral fraud. Time and time again, the Cambodian opposition has proven that they are so united as losers, but evidently they were so divided when they should be united. I am talking about their failure to unite before the election.
I have great sympathy for their cry foul because, like them, I believe that the past three elections have been flawed and fraudulently rigged. But I must say that, without any prejudice or partiality, I am very disappointed with their behaviours so far because, as usual, they are united and on talking term only when they lost the election already. On the contrary, they were fighting each other like cats and dogs before the election. If they have not been so divided and if they were so united before the election, like what they are doing now, the election results and the political landscape would have been a little bit tilted in their favours.
The arrogance that have been shown by the Human Right Party, the Sam Rainsy Party as well as the Norodom Ranariddh Party has costed them dearly. Each and everyone of them were so arrogant about their electoral chances that they never took the formation of an alliance with each other seriously. Now they probably realised that they have made a big mistake by not forming an alliance before the election, but the past is the past and it cannot be undone. And 5 more years waiting in the opposition bench.
In spite of my rave review of the opposition’s disarray, I am sympathetic with their cause. They, especially the Sam Rainsy Party, have been campaigning very successfully with high turn out, only to be robbed at the ballot box and at vote-counting. I believe that the 26 seats said to have been won by the Sam Rainsy Party does not reflect the real election results and the true will of the voters. With the high numbers of turn out at every Sam Rainsy Party’s rally, this party should have won more seats, far more than the 26 seats. Irregularities and electoral fraud committed by the Cambodian People’s Party are the main causes and reasons for the poor performance by the Sam Rainsy Party and the unexpected good performance of the Cambodian People’s Party.
To sum up the election results, I would say that it is a fraudulent election that did not reflect the true will of the Cambodian voters. But equally, it was a result of the disunity of the opposition as well. United as losers will not achieve anything. Unity must happen when unity is needed the most and in this case, it should happen before the election.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Cambodian Election: It Is A Travesty Of Democracy
Opinion by Khmerization
28th July 2008
“The premature claim of victory by the CPP has a sinister connotation. It was a psychological war and was designed to divert the attention of the electoral observers in order to whitewash the electoral fraud, irregularities and vote-rigging.”
The yesterday’s election can be considered as smoother and better than the previous ones in the sense that politically-related violence is down, but it cannot be said that it is any fairer and freer when it comes to electoral rolls and vote-counting.
The opposition parties, non-governmental organisations and the people themselves have complained that thousands and thousands of eligible voters, a large majority of them are opposition voters, have been prevented from registering to vote or have been deleted from the voting lists just before the election. Half way on the election day, the opposition leader, Mr. Sam Rainsy, held a press conference to declare electoral irregularities when he claimed that more than 200,000 legible voters in Meanchey district of Phnom Penh were not allowed to vote because their names had been deleted from the electoral rolls. If Sam Rains’y claim is true, and those 200,000 people came forward, then this is a serious blow to the credibility of the election.
What should surprise many people is the premature claim of victory by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Just less than two hours after the polling stations closed Mr. Khieu Kanharith, the CPP spokesperson, claimed that his party had won the election by gaining at extra 8 seats. This means that the CPP will win the 2/3 majority of 81 seats, exactly the numbers of seats that Chea Sim and Hun Sen had predicted nearly a year ago that the CPP will win. Mr. Chea Sim’s and Mr. Hun Sen’s prediction was so accurate, even more accurate than Nostradamus’s prediction, the famed French astrologer.
The premature claim of victory by the CPP has a sinister connotation. It was a psychological war and was designed to divert the attention of the electoral observers in order to whitewash the electoral fraud, irregularities and vote-rigging. But to many seasoned observers of the Cambodian elections, this premature declaration of a victory by the CPP should ring the alarm bell- that there might be a hidden agenda behind it. No one will doubt the CPP’s victory this time, but many people should doubt the CPP’s claims of a majority of 81 seats.
Up to this moment, many NGO’s had claimed that the CPP had just won 70 seats and the Sam Rainsy Party had won 50 seats. Mr. Yim Sovan, the MP from the Sam Rainsy Party, had claimed just 40 seats for his party.
Let’s hope that at the end of today, the trends would go the way the NGO’s claim, and not the CPP’s claim. If the CPP’s claim is to be believed, it would be a travesty of democracy in Cambodia. And I hope, whoever won the election, it should not affect the Siem Reap Talk today with Thailand to resolve the Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear's so-called "disputed zone".
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Siem Reap Talk: It’s Only A Symbolic Gesture
Opinion by Khmerization
27th July 2008
“Cambodia must make it clear to Thailand that, should the Siem Reap Talk failed, Cambodia shall not hesitate in bringing the matter to the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice one more time.”
The much anticipated meeting between Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers tomorrow to resolve the issue of the Thai occupation of the so-called “disputed zone” in Preah Vihear will be the talk of the Siem Reap town. As the Cambodian election is over, the Cambodian as well as the Thai population, but in particular the press corps, will be focussing their attention on Siem Reap. With the Cambodian people preparing to march to Siem Reap to demand a Thai withdrawal from the so-called “disputed zone” on the same day as the meeting, it will put more pressures on the Thai side to come up with a proposal acceptable the Cambodian side.
But from a pessimist’s point of view, the Siem Reap Meeting, the same as the Aranyaprathet Meeting last Monday, is only a symbolic gesture from Thailand in order to appease Cambodia and the international community . It will not achieve anything, unless Cambodia makes a substantial concession. The scenario would be like this: The Cambodian side will propose for a total Thai withdrawal but the Thai will refuse and instead the Thai side will counter with a proposal that is unacceptable to the Cambodian side. The Thai delegation has signalled that it will propose three solutions to end their occupation. 1). Not allowing the people to live in the area. 2). A joint management of the area, and 3). A partitioning of the area.
From a Cambodian perspective, these alternative proposals by the Thai side are unacceptable. No country on earth, let alone Cambodia, will accept to share their territories with any other countries.
The Cambodian delegation must be firm because there is nothing to negotiate. Thailand sent in the troops to occupy Cambodia’s territories and by international laws Thailand must withdraw its troops. As such, Cambodia must demand a total Thai withdrawal first before agreeing to any future border negotiations. On top of this, Cambodia must demand for a total re-examination of all the border lines by using 1904 and 1907 treaty to settle for all disputed areas between the two countries, not just the areas around Preah Vihear, but at Anlong Veng, O’Bei Choan, O’Smach, Phnom Preuk, Phnom Malai as well as Cambodia’s territorial waters and islands that have been allegedly encroached by Thailand. And any future border negotiations must be based on the maps and the documents of the 1904 and 1907 treaty of which both Cambodia and Thailand had signed.
Also, in order to ensure international recognition, the border survey to settle the border demarcations will be conducted with the involvements of the international observers. Thailand will not like this idea because of the internationalisation of the conflict and because the internationalisation of the border delimitation might expose more of the Thai encroachments on Cambodian borders, but this is the only bargaining chip that Cambodia has to counter the Thai proposals and its intransigence. Another bargaining chip Cambodia has is that, it has said steadfastly that, should the Siem Reap Talk failed, it will go back to lodge a complaint with the UN Security Council. As I said earlier, Thailand does not want the Khmer-Thai border issue go to the UN Security Council because it is afraid that more Thai encroachments on the Cambodian territories will be exposed to the international community.
Coming back to the Siem Reap Meeting, I am hoping that the Cambodian delegation will stand firm and demand a total Thai withdrawal from the Preah Vihear’s “disputed zone”. Cambodia must not accept the three Thai proposals unveiled above. Cambodia must demand, if the Thai delegation refuses to withdraw their troops, a total review of all border lines using the 1904 and 1907 treaty as the base, as it is the only treaty that Cambodia and Thailand had ever concluded. Cambodia must make it clear to Thailand that, should the Siem Reap Talk failed, Cambodia shall not hesitate in bringing the matter to the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice one more time. //
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Preah Vihear Is A Victim Of Thailand’s Political Crisis And Khmer Weakness
Editorial by Khmerization
The Thai invasion of Preah Vihear should serve as a lesson for Khmer leaders to pay more attention to national interests rather than personal interests. It was the complacency and the carelessness of the Cambodian leaders which enabled the Thai to occupy the so-called “disputed zone” without any attempt to stop them. The Preah Vihear temple has become a casualty of Thai political crisis. The Cambodian leaders knew full well that the People’s Alliance of Democrats (PAD) were using the listing of Preah Vihear issue to score an internal Thai political points against the Samak government by stirring up nationalistic emotions amongst the general Thai population that the Samak government is selling out to Cambodia. They have threatened to storm the Preah Vihear temple and some Thai people even staged a protest in front of the Preah Vihear temple. Yet the Cambodia government did not reinforce the border guards or put in place a strong border protection. If Cambodia had stationed enough troops, may be around 200 soldiers, at the disputes zone, then the original 20-40 Thai troops sent to retrieve the three Thai protesters arrested by Cambodian border guards for trespassing on Cambodian soil, would not have dared to cross the border to occupy the disputed zone.
On top of this, Cambodia’s conflicting and contradictory messages to Thailand, and to a certain extent to the international community, undermine Cambodia’s position regarding the dispute. Cambodia appeared to be very soft with Thailand. First it requested for the Thai withdrawal but then sent a confusing reconciliatory message to Thailand that the dispute would be solved by peaceful means where all troops are to stay where they are now. Cambodia also sent very contradictory messages to ASEAN and the UN by saying that “ the situation is on the brink of war” but at the same time Cambodia told them that it will not resort to resolve the dispute through military actions. These sorts of confusing and conflicting messages from Cambodia make the ASEAN and the UN think that the situation is not grave enough to warrant to their serious attention.
Cambodia must send strong and unequivocal messages to Thailand and the world that Thailand’s occupation of the so-called “disputed zone” is unacceptable and is a fragrant violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that Thailand must withdraw its troops immediately and unconditionally before any negotiation will take place regarding the border disputes. Cambodia’s weakness and the contradictory and confusing messages it sent to the Thai side and the international community will be Cambodia’s failure in its claims to the ownership of the so-called “overlapping area”. I can see the gloom and doom for Cambodia’s claims to the ownership of this area. And the Thai occupation is irreversible and a fait accompli, unless Cambodia makes substantial concessions to Thailand regarding the territorial claims surrounding the Preah Vihear precinct. This is my prediction.//
“Cambodia must send strong and unequivocal messages to Thailand and the world that Thailand’s occupation of the so-called “disputed zone” is unacceptable and is a fragrant violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that Thailand must withdraw its troops immediately and unconditionally before any negotiation will take place regarding the border disputes.”
The Thai invasion of Preah Vihear should serve as a lesson for Khmer leaders to pay more attention to national interests rather than personal interests. It was the complacency and the carelessness of the Cambodian leaders which enabled the Thai to occupy the so-called “disputed zone” without any attempt to stop them. The Preah Vihear temple has become a casualty of Thai political crisis. The Cambodian leaders knew full well that the People’s Alliance of Democrats (PAD) were using the listing of Preah Vihear issue to score an internal Thai political points against the Samak government by stirring up nationalistic emotions amongst the general Thai population that the Samak government is selling out to Cambodia. They have threatened to storm the Preah Vihear temple and some Thai people even staged a protest in front of the Preah Vihear temple. Yet the Cambodia government did not reinforce the border guards or put in place a strong border protection. If Cambodia had stationed enough troops, may be around 200 soldiers, at the disputes zone, then the original 20-40 Thai troops sent to retrieve the three Thai protesters arrested by Cambodian border guards for trespassing on Cambodian soil, would not have dared to cross the border to occupy the disputed zone.
On top of this, Cambodia’s conflicting and contradictory messages to Thailand, and to a certain extent to the international community, undermine Cambodia’s position regarding the dispute. Cambodia appeared to be very soft with Thailand. First it requested for the Thai withdrawal but then sent a confusing reconciliatory message to Thailand that the dispute would be solved by peaceful means where all troops are to stay where they are now. Cambodia also sent very contradictory messages to ASEAN and the UN by saying that “ the situation is on the brink of war” but at the same time Cambodia told them that it will not resort to resolve the dispute through military actions. These sorts of confusing and conflicting messages from Cambodia make the ASEAN and the UN think that the situation is not grave enough to warrant to their serious attention.
Cambodia must send strong and unequivocal messages to Thailand and the world that Thailand’s occupation of the so-called “disputed zone” is unacceptable and is a fragrant violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that Thailand must withdraw its troops immediately and unconditionally before any negotiation will take place regarding the border disputes. Cambodia’s weakness and the contradictory and confusing messages it sent to the Thai side and the international community will be Cambodia’s failure in its claims to the ownership of the so-called “overlapping area”. I can see the gloom and doom for Cambodia’s claims to the ownership of this area. And the Thai occupation is irreversible and a fait accompli, unless Cambodia makes substantial concessions to Thailand regarding the territorial claims surrounding the Preah Vihear precinct. This is my prediction.//
The Preah Vihear Failed Talk: Which Country Will Benefit?
Editorial by Khmerization
As I have predicted, the Preah Vihear talk in Sakeo on Monday, the 21st of July, had ended where it had begun and failed miserably. The primary reason was the failure of the Thai side to recognise the 1904 and 1907 treaty between the two countries. I am not surprised with the failure as the negotiation had ended the way I had predicted it would end. What I am surprised was that the Cambodian chief negotiator, Gen. Tea Banh, did not insist on the Thai withdrawal from the occupied zone first as a condition for any further negotiation.(Read full details of the talk here).
Cambodia cannot negotiate with Thailand while the guns were pointing at its head. For any meaningful negotiation to take place, the occupied Thai forces have to be withdrawn to the pre-occupation period and that is pre-15th July. The glorious achievement, as both sides have excitedly declared, was the agreement to keep both forces where they are now without engaging in any military actions. This agreement is an insult to the intelligence of the Cambodian people as it will benefit Thailand greatly because they are the occupying forces and therefore, when they are allowed to stay in the area they had militarily occupied, it means that they have achieved their original aims, which were to occupy and remain in that zone.
Cambodia had been tricked to agree to allow Thai forces to remain in the disputed zone. To agree to leave the forces where they are now is tantamount to recognising the de factoThai occupation of the area.
Cambodia cannot be complacent about the Thai tactic. Thailand would want to prolong the negotiation so it can solidify its position in the eyes of the international community. The longer the negotiation drags on, the better Thailand would position itself and the more international community would lose momentum and interests in the conflict. If this is to happen, Cambodia would have an uphill battle to win this dispute diplomatically and, to a certain extent, legally. Cambodia must move forward very quickly in its diplomatic drives in order to keep this issue on the ASEAN and UN agenda. To vacillate any action would give Thailand an advantageous edge and that would be a suicide for Cambodia.
Cambodia had taken the first positive step when Foreign Minister Hor Namhong accepted the offer of mediation from ASEAN, after the talk had failed. Next, if the ASEAN mediation failed, Cambodia must not hesitate in bringing this issue to the UN Security Council. If the UN mediation failed, the next step would be the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Coming back to the negotiation, I would suggest that Cambodia discontinues its negotiation with Thailand any further because it is a game that Thailand had used to appease Cambodia and world opinion. It is Thailand’s tactic to win international opinion and to prolong its occupation of the “disputed zone”. Cambodia should negotiate with Thailand only after Thailand had withdrawn its troops from the occupied zone. On top of this, any negotiation to settle any border disputes with Thailand must be based on the maps of the 1904 and 1907 treaty between the two countries because it is the only treaty that Cambodia and Thailand had ever concluded. To use any other maps would be against international practices and is tantamount to surrendering Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to Thailand. Cambodia must be firm on this.//
“The longer the negotiation drags on, the better Thailand would position itself and the more international community would lose momentum and interests in the conflict. If this is to happen, Cambodia would have an uphill battle to win this dispute diplomatically and, to a certain extent, legally. Cambodia must move forward very quickly in its diplomatic drives in order to keep this issue on the ASEAN and UN agenda. To vacillate any action would give Thailand an advantageous edge and that would be a suicide for Cambodia.”
As I have predicted, the Preah Vihear talk in Sakeo on Monday, the 21st of July, had ended where it had begun and failed miserably. The primary reason was the failure of the Thai side to recognise the 1904 and 1907 treaty between the two countries. I am not surprised with the failure as the negotiation had ended the way I had predicted it would end. What I am surprised was that the Cambodian chief negotiator, Gen. Tea Banh, did not insist on the Thai withdrawal from the occupied zone first as a condition for any further negotiation.(Read full details of the talk here).
Cambodia cannot negotiate with Thailand while the guns were pointing at its head. For any meaningful negotiation to take place, the occupied Thai forces have to be withdrawn to the pre-occupation period and that is pre-15th July. The glorious achievement, as both sides have excitedly declared, was the agreement to keep both forces where they are now without engaging in any military actions. This agreement is an insult to the intelligence of the Cambodian people as it will benefit Thailand greatly because they are the occupying forces and therefore, when they are allowed to stay in the area they had militarily occupied, it means that they have achieved their original aims, which were to occupy and remain in that zone.
Cambodia had been tricked to agree to allow Thai forces to remain in the disputed zone. To agree to leave the forces where they are now is tantamount to recognising the de factoThai occupation of the area.
Cambodia cannot be complacent about the Thai tactic. Thailand would want to prolong the negotiation so it can solidify its position in the eyes of the international community. The longer the negotiation drags on, the better Thailand would position itself and the more international community would lose momentum and interests in the conflict. If this is to happen, Cambodia would have an uphill battle to win this dispute diplomatically and, to a certain extent, legally. Cambodia must move forward very quickly in its diplomatic drives in order to keep this issue on the ASEAN and UN agenda. To vacillate any action would give Thailand an advantageous edge and that would be a suicide for Cambodia.
Cambodia had taken the first positive step when Foreign Minister Hor Namhong accepted the offer of mediation from ASEAN, after the talk had failed. Next, if the ASEAN mediation failed, Cambodia must not hesitate in bringing this issue to the UN Security Council. If the UN mediation failed, the next step would be the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Coming back to the negotiation, I would suggest that Cambodia discontinues its negotiation with Thailand any further because it is a game that Thailand had used to appease Cambodia and world opinion. It is Thailand’s tactic to win international opinion and to prolong its occupation of the “disputed zone”. Cambodia should negotiate with Thailand only after Thailand had withdrawn its troops from the occupied zone. On top of this, any negotiation to settle any border disputes with Thailand must be based on the maps of the 1904 and 1907 treaty between the two countries because it is the only treaty that Cambodia and Thailand had ever concluded. To use any other maps would be against international practices and is tantamount to surrendering Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to Thailand. Cambodia must be firm on this.//
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The Preah Vihear Conflict: What Is The Solution?
Editorial by Khmerization
Thailand’s invasion and occupation of the so-called “overlapping area” in the Preah Vihear precinct has entered its fifth day and there is no sign of it ending very soon. On the contrary, the situation is worsening by the day and both sides, Cambodia and Thailand, are dangerously reinforcing and building up their troops numbers to boost up their bargaining powers at the upcoming talks on the conflict which will be held in Thailand’s Sakeo province on Monday. I can confidently predict that the Monday meeting will not produce any results. The meeting will be a chance of finger-pointing, accusations and counter-accusations. The Cambodian side will demand a total Thai withdrawal and likewise, the Thai side will demand a total Cambodian troop withdrawal, including the evacuation of villagers who settled in the zone for years, before Thailand will agree to any withdrawal. At the end, the meeting will be an impasse, unless one side makes a concession, which is likely to be the Cambodian side. (Full details on the Thai incursion at Preah Vihear).
The Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear precinct at this time is reminiscent of the 1950s’ Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear temple, which ended with the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that adjudicated to give the ownership of the temple to Cambodia in 1962. At that time, like now, the pretext for the Thai occupation of the temple was, after reviewing the maps, Thailand assumed that the temple was situated on Thai soil.
Cambodia and Thailand had only one border treaty, which is the 1907 treaty. The documents and maps of the 1907 treaty showed clearly that the Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding areas fall under Cambodia’s sovereignty. On top of this, the International Court of Justice in The Hague adjudged to give the whole Preah Vihear precinct to Cambodia in 1962. So, the ownership of the Preah Vihear temple and its precinct is unquestionably Cambodian.
Now, what is the solution to end the present Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear precinct?
Cambodia, beside military prowess, has all the advantages over Thailand, under international laws and conventions, to prove the ownership of this so-called “overlapping area” under the 1907 treaty and the ICJ‘s decision in 1962. With this in mind, Cambodia must embark on a crusade of international diplomacy for a peaceful resolution to this Thai-made crisis. Cambodia could use the scenario below in which to go about resolving this crisis peacefully.
First, Cambodia should invite the foreign diplomatic and international press corps to visit the conflict zone in order to win international opinion to its crusade. Secondly, Cambodia should use the upcoming talks with Thailand to press for a total Thai withdrawal from the conflict zone. Thirdly, if that fails, Cambodia can take this matter to the Association of South East Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Forum, which both Cambodia and Thailand are members. The ASEAN Charter has a policy of non-interference and non-aggression between member states. Fourthly, if ASEAN fails to mediate a satisfactory outcome, Cambodia can take the next step which is referring this conflict to the UN Security Council to mediate. And fifthly and finally, if all else fail, Cambodia can take Thailand to the International Court of Justice like in 1962.
My predicted outcome to a peaceful ending of this conflict, that is acceptable to Thailand, would be a two pronged resolution. Thailand, without a doubt, would want to claim total sovereignty over this area and will never accept anything less than half of the 4.6 square kilometres “disputed zone”. So, the first solution for Cambodia is, if it wants a peaceful co-existence with Thailand in the future, it has to agree to a partition of this parcel of the lands. But Cambodia, as a proud and sovereign nation, would be a fool to accept this solution. The second solution would be the judgement of the International Court of Justice, like the 1962 case.
Thailand had never gotten over its wounded pride with the loss of Preah Vihear in 1962. One would not expect Thailand to allow this case to go to that court one more time that can make them lose face and territories further. Many Cambodians believe that, if the 1907 treaty was to be re-examined, Cambodia would see that its territories would have been encroached significantly by Thailand. A re-examination of the 1907 treaty by the International Court of Justice would see Thailand losing more territories.
Finally, I, and I would like to think that many of my Cambodian compatriots, would hope to see a peaceful ending to this conflict, preferably ending with an irreversible and binding decision of the International Court of Justice like the 1962 court case, so that this saga is resolved once and for all.//
--------------------------
1. Read previous editorial on Preah Vihear: Thailand's Aggression
2. Pictures of new troop movements from both sides: Cambodian-Thai troops.
“First, Cambodia should invite the foreign diplomatic and international press corps to visit the conflict zone in order to win international opinion to its crusade. Secondly, Cambodia should use the upcoming talks with Thailand to press for a total Thai withdrawal from the conflict zone. Thirdly, if that fails, Cambodia can take this matter to the Association of South East Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Forum, which both Cambodia and Thailand are members. The ASEAN Charter has a policy of non-interference and non-aggression between member states. Fourthly, if ASEAN fails to mediate a satisfactory outcome, Cambodia can take the next step which is referring this conflict to the UN Security Council to mediate. And fifthly and finally, if all else fail, Cambodia can take Thailand to the International Court of Justice like in 1962.”
Thailand’s invasion and occupation of the so-called “overlapping area” in the Preah Vihear precinct has entered its fifth day and there is no sign of it ending very soon. On the contrary, the situation is worsening by the day and both sides, Cambodia and Thailand, are dangerously reinforcing and building up their troops numbers to boost up their bargaining powers at the upcoming talks on the conflict which will be held in Thailand’s Sakeo province on Monday. I can confidently predict that the Monday meeting will not produce any results. The meeting will be a chance of finger-pointing, accusations and counter-accusations. The Cambodian side will demand a total Thai withdrawal and likewise, the Thai side will demand a total Cambodian troop withdrawal, including the evacuation of villagers who settled in the zone for years, before Thailand will agree to any withdrawal. At the end, the meeting will be an impasse, unless one side makes a concession, which is likely to be the Cambodian side. (Full details on the Thai incursion at Preah Vihear).
The Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear precinct at this time is reminiscent of the 1950s’ Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear temple, which ended with the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that adjudicated to give the ownership of the temple to Cambodia in 1962. At that time, like now, the pretext for the Thai occupation of the temple was, after reviewing the maps, Thailand assumed that the temple was situated on Thai soil.
Cambodia and Thailand had only one border treaty, which is the 1907 treaty. The documents and maps of the 1907 treaty showed clearly that the Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding areas fall under Cambodia’s sovereignty. On top of this, the International Court of Justice in The Hague adjudged to give the whole Preah Vihear precinct to Cambodia in 1962. So, the ownership of the Preah Vihear temple and its precinct is unquestionably Cambodian.
Now, what is the solution to end the present Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear precinct?
Cambodia, beside military prowess, has all the advantages over Thailand, under international laws and conventions, to prove the ownership of this so-called “overlapping area” under the 1907 treaty and the ICJ‘s decision in 1962. With this in mind, Cambodia must embark on a crusade of international diplomacy for a peaceful resolution to this Thai-made crisis. Cambodia could use the scenario below in which to go about resolving this crisis peacefully.
First, Cambodia should invite the foreign diplomatic and international press corps to visit the conflict zone in order to win international opinion to its crusade. Secondly, Cambodia should use the upcoming talks with Thailand to press for a total Thai withdrawal from the conflict zone. Thirdly, if that fails, Cambodia can take this matter to the Association of South East Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Forum, which both Cambodia and Thailand are members. The ASEAN Charter has a policy of non-interference and non-aggression between member states. Fourthly, if ASEAN fails to mediate a satisfactory outcome, Cambodia can take the next step which is referring this conflict to the UN Security Council to mediate. And fifthly and finally, if all else fail, Cambodia can take Thailand to the International Court of Justice like in 1962.
My predicted outcome to a peaceful ending of this conflict, that is acceptable to Thailand, would be a two pronged resolution. Thailand, without a doubt, would want to claim total sovereignty over this area and will never accept anything less than half of the 4.6 square kilometres “disputed zone”. So, the first solution for Cambodia is, if it wants a peaceful co-existence with Thailand in the future, it has to agree to a partition of this parcel of the lands. But Cambodia, as a proud and sovereign nation, would be a fool to accept this solution. The second solution would be the judgement of the International Court of Justice, like the 1962 case.
Thailand had never gotten over its wounded pride with the loss of Preah Vihear in 1962. One would not expect Thailand to allow this case to go to that court one more time that can make them lose face and territories further. Many Cambodians believe that, if the 1907 treaty was to be re-examined, Cambodia would see that its territories would have been encroached significantly by Thailand. A re-examination of the 1907 treaty by the International Court of Justice would see Thailand losing more territories.
Finally, I, and I would like to think that many of my Cambodian compatriots, would hope to see a peaceful ending to this conflict, preferably ending with an irreversible and binding decision of the International Court of Justice like the 1962 court case, so that this saga is resolved once and for all.//
--------------------------
1. Read previous editorial on Preah Vihear: Thailand's Aggression
2. Pictures of new troop movements from both sides: Cambodian-Thai troops.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Thailand’s Aggression Over Preah Vihear And Their Rewriting The History Of Battambang and Siem Reap
Editorial by Khmerization
A while back I wrote in my editorials expressing my fears of Cambodia losing the sovereignty of the 4.6 square kilometres of the so-called “disputed zone” in the Preah Vihear precinct to Thailand. Now, with the Thai sending in the troops to occupy that zone, my fears have been realised. By applying to list only the temple body, the Cambodian government has acknowledged the existence of a “disputed zone” and has effectively given Thailand ammunitions in which to fight for the sovereignty of that zone. The Thai incursion into Cambodia’s territories is a sheer violation of Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity and it is a blatant aggression and an invasion. (Full details here).
From a Cambodian perspective, with the Thai refusing to withdraw the troops and with the Cambodian villagers being terrorised to flee this village en masse, the Thai occupation of this so-called “disputed zone” is a fait accompli. For those who were belatedly and proudly claimed that “Cambodia will lose nothing”, the likes of PM Hun Sen, Deputy PM’s Sok An and Hor Namhong and their proponents, they should hang their heads in shame and do the honourable thing by resigning.
Cambodia must not be complacent over the issue of these significant national interests and it must do everything to publicise this Thai invasion of Preah Vihear to the world in a grand scale to expose the Thai flagrant disregards for Cambodia’s sovereignty. Cambodia must bring out all the documents and maps related to the Preah Vihear temple and put them on the negotiating table for the Thai side to see. If need be, should Thailand fails to acknowledge the historical facts, Cambodia should involve outside mediation, based on historical facts. And if necessary, Cambodia should not vacillate in bringing Thailand to the International Court of Justice one more time.
Cambodia must vehemently reject the proposition and the notion of sharing this zone with Thailand. Cambodia must be firm in any future negotiations with Thailand, not just on this so-called “disputed zone”, but on border disputes in other areas as well. Cambodia has all the relevant documents and maps from the 1907 treaty and then again the decision of the International Court of Justice in 1962, to prove that the “zone” belongs to Cambodia.
The Thai ignorance of the historical facts regarding territorial claims between the two countries cannot be allowed to go on unchallenged. A week ago, the Thai protesters have called for a return of Battambang (Phra Tabong in Thai), Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces to Thailand, by claiming that they were once Thai territories. (Full details here).
Well, the Thai should know the history of their presence in that part of the region very well. They must know that they only moved from Nan Chao in southern China to settle in this region in the 13th century, while the Cambodians had settled in the region for more than 2000 years ago. And as recently as the late 18th century (1796?), Thailand had invaded and claimed suzerainty over more than 10 Cambodian provinces. Battambang and Siem Reap have been occupied by Thailand, then called Siam, in 1796(?) and were only returned to Cambodia in 1904 under the French pressure and in exchange for a return of the provinces of Trat and Buriram to Thailand. Other Cambodian provinces, like Surin, Kok Khan (now called Sisaket), Nokor Reach (Korat), Srah Keo (Sakeo), Baschem Borei (Prachinburi), Cholaborei (Chonburi), Aranya Protess (Aranyaprathet), Kanchanak Borei (Kanachanburi), Chanthak Borei (Chanthaburi) and Boeng Kork (Bangkok) and even up to the Ayuddya regions were all Cambodian territories, taken over by Thailand one by one up until the late 18th century (1796?).
My point in bringing all of these former Khmer provinces into the discussion here was to highlight the historical facts and to jog the memories of the Thai people that Cambodia hadn’t taken any Thai lands. But on the contrary, Thailand had taken vast territories of Khmer lands. If the Thai protesters wanted to reclaim Battambang and Siem Reap provinces, then these Thai protesters and, for that matter, the Thai leadership as a whole, must realise that Cambodia has every right to reclaim the territories of the more than 10 provinces lost to Thailand that have been mentioned above.
I would like to end this editorial by expressing my condemnation of the Thai incursion into the Preah Vihear region and, for the sake of regional peace and stability, I call on Thailand to withdraw their troops immediately and unconditionally.//
(Viewing the pictures of Cambodian and Thai troops facing off each other in Preah Vihear).
“By applying to list only the temple body, the Cambodian government has acknowledged the existence of a “disputed zone” and has effectively given Thailand ammunitions in which to fight for the sovereignty of that zone. The Thai incursion into Cambodia’s territories is a sheer violation of Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity and it is a blatant aggression and an invasion.”
A while back I wrote in my editorials expressing my fears of Cambodia losing the sovereignty of the 4.6 square kilometres of the so-called “disputed zone” in the Preah Vihear precinct to Thailand. Now, with the Thai sending in the troops to occupy that zone, my fears have been realised. By applying to list only the temple body, the Cambodian government has acknowledged the existence of a “disputed zone” and has effectively given Thailand ammunitions in which to fight for the sovereignty of that zone. The Thai incursion into Cambodia’s territories is a sheer violation of Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity and it is a blatant aggression and an invasion. (Full details here).
From a Cambodian perspective, with the Thai refusing to withdraw the troops and with the Cambodian villagers being terrorised to flee this village en masse, the Thai occupation of this so-called “disputed zone” is a fait accompli. For those who were belatedly and proudly claimed that “Cambodia will lose nothing”, the likes of PM Hun Sen, Deputy PM’s Sok An and Hor Namhong and their proponents, they should hang their heads in shame and do the honourable thing by resigning.
Cambodia must not be complacent over the issue of these significant national interests and it must do everything to publicise this Thai invasion of Preah Vihear to the world in a grand scale to expose the Thai flagrant disregards for Cambodia’s sovereignty. Cambodia must bring out all the documents and maps related to the Preah Vihear temple and put them on the negotiating table for the Thai side to see. If need be, should Thailand fails to acknowledge the historical facts, Cambodia should involve outside mediation, based on historical facts. And if necessary, Cambodia should not vacillate in bringing Thailand to the International Court of Justice one more time.
Cambodia must vehemently reject the proposition and the notion of sharing this zone with Thailand. Cambodia must be firm in any future negotiations with Thailand, not just on this so-called “disputed zone”, but on border disputes in other areas as well. Cambodia has all the relevant documents and maps from the 1907 treaty and then again the decision of the International Court of Justice in 1962, to prove that the “zone” belongs to Cambodia.
The Thai ignorance of the historical facts regarding territorial claims between the two countries cannot be allowed to go on unchallenged. A week ago, the Thai protesters have called for a return of Battambang (Phra Tabong in Thai), Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces to Thailand, by claiming that they were once Thai territories. (Full details here).
Well, the Thai should know the history of their presence in that part of the region very well. They must know that they only moved from Nan Chao in southern China to settle in this region in the 13th century, while the Cambodians had settled in the region for more than 2000 years ago. And as recently as the late 18th century (1796?), Thailand had invaded and claimed suzerainty over more than 10 Cambodian provinces. Battambang and Siem Reap have been occupied by Thailand, then called Siam, in 1796(?) and were only returned to Cambodia in 1904 under the French pressure and in exchange for a return of the provinces of Trat and Buriram to Thailand. Other Cambodian provinces, like Surin, Kok Khan (now called Sisaket), Nokor Reach (Korat), Srah Keo (Sakeo), Baschem Borei (Prachinburi), Cholaborei (Chonburi), Aranya Protess (Aranyaprathet), Kanchanak Borei (Kanachanburi), Chanthak Borei (Chanthaburi) and Boeng Kork (Bangkok) and even up to the Ayuddya regions were all Cambodian territories, taken over by Thailand one by one up until the late 18th century (1796?).
My point in bringing all of these former Khmer provinces into the discussion here was to highlight the historical facts and to jog the memories of the Thai people that Cambodia hadn’t taken any Thai lands. But on the contrary, Thailand had taken vast territories of Khmer lands. If the Thai protesters wanted to reclaim Battambang and Siem Reap provinces, then these Thai protesters and, for that matter, the Thai leadership as a whole, must realise that Cambodia has every right to reclaim the territories of the more than 10 provinces lost to Thailand that have been mentioned above.
I would like to end this editorial by expressing my condemnation of the Thai incursion into the Preah Vihear region and, for the sake of regional peace and stability, I call on Thailand to withdraw their troops immediately and unconditionally.//
(Viewing the pictures of Cambodian and Thai troops facing off each other in Preah Vihear).
Friday, July 11, 2008
Preah Vihear: A Pyrrhic Victory For Cambodia?
Editorial by Khmerization
“While I am exuberant with the victory over Thailand on the listing of the Preah Vihear temple on the World Heritage List, I, like many of my compatriots, felt somewhat sad. I am sad because I felt that it is a Pyrrhic victory due to the fact that there is a possibility that Cambodia might lose the ownership of the 4.6 square kilometres to Thailand.”
I would like to begin this editorial with my condemnation to the demand by the Thai locals to forcibly evict Khmer residents in the so-called “disputed area”. Recently, there are disturbing news that the Thai people living in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple complex had pressurised the Thai Army to use force to evict the Cambodians living in the Preah Vihear temple surroundings, but, fortunately for the hapless Cambodian residents, the demand had been rejected by the Thai Army. (Full details click here).
Cambodians of all political persuasions should be outraged by this disturbing news. It is a news that cannot be ignored by the Cambodian authority. The Cambodian government has an obligation to safeguard Cambodia’s territorial integrity and to protect its citizens. So, it is imperative that the Cambodian government recognises the seriousness of this threat and do everything within its power to deter the threat from being carried out. The Cambodian government must also send a strong message to Thailand that the use of force to settle any border disputes will not be tolerated. Cambodia need also to remind Thailand that the border issue in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple had been settled once and for all by the 1907 treaty and again in 1962, when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague adjudged to give ownership of the temple and its surrounding areas to Cambodia.
While I am exuberant with the victory over Thailand on the listing of the Preah Vihear temple on the World Heritage List, I, like many of my compatriots, felt somewhat sad. I am sad because I felt that it is a Pyrrhic victory due to the fact that there is a possibility that Cambodia might lose the ownership of the 4.6 square kilometres to Thailand. The fact that only the temple proper had been listed and the surrounding areas, including the staircases and the reservoir, had been left out of the listing suggested that Cambodia will face an uphill battle to recover the 4.6 square kilometres claimed as a “disputed zone” by Thailand. As of late, there is a suggestion by the chairman of Thailand’s World Heritage Committee, Mr. Pongpol Adireksan, that the “overlapping area” could be turned into a Thai-Cambodia peace park. Cambodia must not allow itself to be hypnotised by this proposition and it must vehemently resist this idea and fight with veracity to put this so-called “overlapping area” under Cambodia’s sovereignty in accordance with the 1907 treaty and the 1962 ICJ’s verdict.
It is also a disturbing news to hear Mr Francesco Caruso, an advisor to the director general of Unesco, suggesting that the listing of the Preah Vihear temple is not a fait accompli and that it is open for future amendment if contested by Thailand. He went on to say that it could be amended “to a bi-national listing of the temple”. No country on earth, in their rightful mind, should agree to share their territorial lands and surrender their sovereignty to any country. And Thailand will never agree to share its territorial lands with Cambodia. By the same token, Cambodia must never agree to share its territorial lands with Thailand.
In wrapping up this editorial, I would like to opine, as suggested by some political circles in Cambodia, and I concur with their rationale, that Mr. Hun Sen and his government had hidden agenda in agreeing to list only the temple body, by leaving out the surrounding historic sites. There had been a suggestion that Mr. Hun Sen wanted to use the listing of the Preah Vihear temple to campaign for the election and this is the reason that he agreed to list only the temple. Mr Hun Sen’s hidden agenda, if proven to be true, is a treasonous act and is impeachable. Trading Cambodia’s territorial integrity for his own political interests is an unforgivable act of treason that should be condemned in the strongest term by Cambodians from all walks of life. But I will give Mr. Hun Sen the benefit of the doubt and if, in future negotiations, the 4.6 square kilometres fall under Cambodia’s sovereignty, Mr. Hun Sen will be hailed a national hero. I hope the future negotiations on the 4.6 square kilometres will end happily for Cambodia. I hope.
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