A Change of Guard

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Friday, 15 May 2009

Cambodian officials reject the Thai claims of ownership of lands along the staircases leading to the temple

The rubble from the destroyed market and stalls.

Source: Radio Free Asia
Reported by Khmerization

Cambodian officials reject the Thai claims of ownership of the lands in front of the staircases, where a destroyed Cambodian market was located, reports Radio Free Asia.

Mr. Var Kimhong, a Cambodian senior minister in charge of border affairs, told RFA that, based on the map the International Court of Justice's verdict, the lands had been adjudicated as belonging to Cambodia and has been internationally recognised since then.

Mr. Var Kimhing said: "We would like to pose a question to the Thai leaders: what evidence do they have to prove that the lands belong to Thailand? What ownership proof do they have to indicate that the lands belong to Thailand?"

Mr. Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said that the areas where the market and the village were situated are parts of the Preah Vihear temple precinct, so when the temple was inscribed by the World Heritage Committee the market and the village are in the same category.

He said: "These lands are undeniably Cambodian territories that have been recognised by an international institution (International Court of Justice) in 1962 as belonging to Cambodia in by using an annex map of the Dangrek Mountain Ranges which clearly showed that the areas are located within the Cambodian borders. So, that lands, along with the temple itself which had been inscribed in the World Heritage List, must be protected and no one in the world can destroy it."

During the fighting on 3rd April 2009, a market and about 264 stalls were completely destroyed by Thai shells. Cambodia on 11th May lodged a compensation claims for $2.1 million. But Thailand immediately rejected the Cambodian claims by claiming the market and stalls were illegally built on Thai territories. Thailand has indicated that they will lodge a counter-claim for the deaths of their three soldiers.

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