| Written by Chan Veasna | |
| Friday, 14 November 2008 Phnom Penh Post | |
| Dear Editor, Thailand is not keen on settling border disputes amicably and mutually, but on Thailand's terms. Thailand has consistently reiterated that it will only agree to negotiate based on maps unilaterally drawn by Thailand. In other words, Thailand will not settle the current border disputes with Cambodia if Cambodia does not allow Thailand to keep the territories it had claimed and occupied to date. So, is peace and a border solution possible between Cambodia and Thailand in the future? Thailand's insistence on the use of maps drawn by itself, without Cambodia's agreement, is against the spirit of good neighbourly respect and contrary to international laws. Those maps have no legal basis under international laws. If the 1904, 1907 maps are not used, it would be a betrayal of the treaties and a tragedy, as it will set a precedent that triggers future violations of subsequent [border] treaties. So, if Thailand is insisting on using the maps unilaterally drawn by Thailand itself, will there ever be an agreement and peace at all? If that is the case, is there any room for Cambodia to manoeuvre in the negotiations? If Thailand does not conform to international laws by accepting the internationally-recognised treaties of 1904, 1907, the Khmer-Thai border disputes will become a quagmire and result in future deadly armed conflicts, similar to what already happened on October 15. That would be a tragedy in Khmer-Thai relations. Not one single country, but both countries, will lose from these insignificant and petty disputes. Chan Veasna Cabramatta, NSW, Australia |
Friday 14 November 2008
Thailand must use Cambodian maps
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3 comments:
Thailand is too greedy. They want more of Khmer lands so Khmer leaders must be firm, don't use Thai maps but use maps from 1904-1908 treaties. These maps are internationally recognised and legal under international laws.
Maps are made to guide us to our destination. They are there to be changed for the better good of humanity. Use a new map. Work towards the map of 2010.
5:05am, New maps yes, but they have to be mutually agreed, not the ones unilaterally drawn by Thailand to benefit Thailand. Also new maps have to be drawn using the mutually agreed conventions and treaties and in the case of Cambodia and Thailand, the new maps must be drawn in conformity with the 1904-1908 Khmer-Thai treaties because they were the only treaties ever signed by both countries. Any maps unilaterally drawn by Thailand or Cambodia, without the agreement of the other side, have no legal basis under international laws. If Thailand still insist on using maps unilaterally drawn by Thailand without the agreement of Cambodia, may I also suggest to Thailand to accept maps that are unilaterally drawn by Cambodia. So, to put Thailand in Cambodia's shoes, will Thailand accept maps that are unilaterally drawn by Cambodia as a base for the negotiations?
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