19 Sept 2008
By Alain Ney
Cambodge Soir Hedbo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr for Ki-Media
Click here to read the article in French
By reaffirming Cambodia’s sovereignty on the Ta Krabey temple, in spite of the military and diplomatic annexation attempts by Thailand, Ung Sean condemns Thailand’s intrusion.
Cambodia’s tit-for-tat response to Thailand: “Based on geographic maps, the Ta Krabey temple, also known as Ta Kwai in Thailand, is located inside the territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia.” It was through this small correction, expressed in diplomatic language that the Cambodian Ambassador in Thailand sent in a letter to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This act constitutes a violation of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Cambodia,” Ung Sean wrote also.
However, on 16 September, the permanent secretary of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note to the Cambodian Ambassador, in which he accused Cambodia of “violating Thailand’s territory” by sending in troops on the spot because, according to the Thai official, the temple is located inside the Thai province of Surin.
In the wake of the Preah Vihear dispute, Thai soldiers have multiplied their incursions in Cambodia’s territories, under the pretext that the border was not well defined.
Ung Sean recalled that, on 10 September, at 6:00 PM, about 100 Thai soldiers entered and occupied the Ta Krabey temple in spite of the repeated protests made by local Cambodian authorities. Thai soldiers moved out of the temple the following day.
The tense atmosphere endured since the listing of Preah Vihear temple by UNESCO last July. With the current crisis in Thailand, the border resolution is dragging on.
Cambodia’s tit-for-tat response to Thailand: “Based on geographic maps, the Ta Krabey temple, also known as Ta Kwai in Thailand, is located inside the territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia.” It was through this small correction, expressed in diplomatic language that the Cambodian Ambassador in Thailand sent in a letter to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This act constitutes a violation of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Cambodia,” Ung Sean wrote also.
However, on 16 September, the permanent secretary of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note to the Cambodian Ambassador, in which he accused Cambodia of “violating Thailand’s territory” by sending in troops on the spot because, according to the Thai official, the temple is located inside the Thai province of Surin.
In the wake of the Preah Vihear dispute, Thai soldiers have multiplied their incursions in Cambodia’s territories, under the pretext that the border was not well defined.
Ung Sean recalled that, on 10 September, at 6:00 PM, about 100 Thai soldiers entered and occupied the Ta Krabey temple in spite of the repeated protests made by local Cambodian authorities. Thai soldiers moved out of the temple the following day.
The tense atmosphere endured since the listing of Preah Vihear temple by UNESCO last July. With the current crisis in Thailand, the border resolution is dragging on.
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