UNSC TO MEET WITH BORDER RIVALS AND ASEAN CHAIR
Published: 13/02/2011
Bangkok Post
Cambodia will argue that it is at war with Thailand and that intervention from a third party is needed when it presents its case to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) tomorrow.
A senior source in the Cambodian government also said they would produce evidence that the Thai military had been the aggressors during the border clashes and had used banned weapons, including cluster bombs and poison gas.
The source also said Cambodia was willing to let the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) play the third-party role, but he insisted that bilateral approaches employed since July 2008 to resolve the border dispute surrounding Preah Vihear temple had failed.
The chair of Asean, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, has invited all the association's foreign ministers to a meeting in Jakarta on Feb 22 to discuss the dispute.
The Cambodian source said there were two reasons for the UN to intervene _ its successful running of elections in Cambodia in 1993, and as Preah Vihear was heritage-listed, it is the responsibility of Unesco to protect it.
"We have all the documents, all the evidence," he said.
"The role of the United Nations is to stop any war in the world, and this is a war between Cambodia and Thailand. It's not a small clash.
"So we'll present the case to the United Nations, we'll present the case to Unesco to show the damage to the temple. If necessary we can go to the International Court of Justice again," he said.
The UNSC meeting, which will be attended by the foreign ministers of Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia, is expected to be informal and to take place behind closed doors.
The council consulted twice on the issue last week after letters were sent first by Cambodia and then Thailand. However, member nations have already expressed support for mediation efforts by Mr Marty.
National Security Council secretary-general Thawil Pliensri said concerned agencies, including the NSC, had prepared evidence for the UNSC meeting.
He said he was confident that Thailand will be able to defend itself against Cambodia's charges, adding that there were some platforms, such as Asean, where the parties could work to resolve the problem.
Other Thai officials and diplomats said that "technically" Thailand should succeed in meeting Cambodia's challenge at the meeting.
"If the council on Monday merely listens to the three [foreign ministers] and urges Thailand and Cambodia to continue their negotiations, perhaps with Asean's or Indonesia's assistance, then we'll have time to continue the negotiations with Cambodia although with more parties looking over our shoulders," said a seasoned diplomat.
However, he added that if the council were to do otherwise, Thailand had to be very careful, as its decision was binding on all UN members.
A Bangkok-based diplomat from one of the UNSC's five permanent members said the most likely outcome was "no statement, no vote, and discussion that urges the two countries to work together to resolve the disputes bilaterally".
Another Bangkok-based European diplomat said Thailand had become more isolated in the international arena since the 2006 coup and the subsequent political turmoil which had diminished its traditional role as a hub to develop regional consensus.
"Thailand was always a voice to be listened to, a stopover for major powers to seek consultations on regional issues," the source said.
"Now they choose to deepen more links with Indonesia."
One retired diplomat expressed concern that Thailand's "technical" arguments might be undermined by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's appeasement of the People's Alliance Democracy (PAD), which may have weakened the Foreign Ministry's case.
"Abhisit usually says it's a matter for the foreign ministry, but when the PAD pushed for a harsh nationalistic tone, he silenced the ministry's legal experts," said the diplomat.
Published: 13/02/2011
Bangkok Post
Cambodia will argue that it is at war with Thailand and that intervention from a third party is needed when it presents its case to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) tomorrow.
A senior source in the Cambodian government also said they would produce evidence that the Thai military had been the aggressors during the border clashes and had used banned weapons, including cluster bombs and poison gas.
The source also said Cambodia was willing to let the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) play the third-party role, but he insisted that bilateral approaches employed since July 2008 to resolve the border dispute surrounding Preah Vihear temple had failed.
The chair of Asean, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, has invited all the association's foreign ministers to a meeting in Jakarta on Feb 22 to discuss the dispute.
The Cambodian source said there were two reasons for the UN to intervene _ its successful running of elections in Cambodia in 1993, and as Preah Vihear was heritage-listed, it is the responsibility of Unesco to protect it.
"We have all the documents, all the evidence," he said.
"The role of the United Nations is to stop any war in the world, and this is a war between Cambodia and Thailand. It's not a small clash.
"So we'll present the case to the United Nations, we'll present the case to Unesco to show the damage to the temple. If necessary we can go to the International Court of Justice again," he said.
The UNSC meeting, which will be attended by the foreign ministers of Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia, is expected to be informal and to take place behind closed doors.
The council consulted twice on the issue last week after letters were sent first by Cambodia and then Thailand. However, member nations have already expressed support for mediation efforts by Mr Marty.
National Security Council secretary-general Thawil Pliensri said concerned agencies, including the NSC, had prepared evidence for the UNSC meeting.
He said he was confident that Thailand will be able to defend itself against Cambodia's charges, adding that there were some platforms, such as Asean, where the parties could work to resolve the problem.
Other Thai officials and diplomats said that "technically" Thailand should succeed in meeting Cambodia's challenge at the meeting.
"If the council on Monday merely listens to the three [foreign ministers] and urges Thailand and Cambodia to continue their negotiations, perhaps with Asean's or Indonesia's assistance, then we'll have time to continue the negotiations with Cambodia although with more parties looking over our shoulders," said a seasoned diplomat.
However, he added that if the council were to do otherwise, Thailand had to be very careful, as its decision was binding on all UN members.
A Bangkok-based diplomat from one of the UNSC's five permanent members said the most likely outcome was "no statement, no vote, and discussion that urges the two countries to work together to resolve the disputes bilaterally".
Another Bangkok-based European diplomat said Thailand had become more isolated in the international arena since the 2006 coup and the subsequent political turmoil which had diminished its traditional role as a hub to develop regional consensus.
"Thailand was always a voice to be listened to, a stopover for major powers to seek consultations on regional issues," the source said.
"Now they choose to deepen more links with Indonesia."
One retired diplomat expressed concern that Thailand's "technical" arguments might be undermined by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's appeasement of the People's Alliance Democracy (PAD), which may have weakened the Foreign Ministry's case.
"Abhisit usually says it's a matter for the foreign ministry, but when the PAD pushed for a harsh nationalistic tone, he silenced the ministry's legal experts," said the diplomat.
13 comments:
Thai army got angry, because their soldier can't fight against khmer soldier has more experienced than them, so they used banned weapons..CLUSTER BOMBS! Ammunitions with chemical on Cambodian...Thailand broke the International's law...(Geneva), even though both country did not sign, but Khmer knew better..not used them!
Thailand must put on trial and punish under the rule of law in Geneva! Thailand can't use banned weapons!!!
Thais are really good at manipulate the world.
This bangkok post said, "Cambodia declare the war". If we don't read from the beginning, it's like Cambodia threatens Thailand and declare the war. In fact, Cambodia would like to tell the world that Thailand is invading Cambodia. Through analysis, Thailand used many modern weapons to invade Cambodia. The clash is really big, which is indirectly indicated Thailand want a war with Cambodia.
Sometime people don't read the article, they read the headline. They assume headline says everything about the article.
Cambodia to claim "war" with Thailand means that Cambodia will wage war with Thailand on the international political front. It doesn't mean Cambodia claim "war" as in military war of bullets, bombs, and artillery. Of course war mongers would love to heard the word "war". let be civilized. Nowaday, international involvement is a necessary steps to gain political support when there is regional conflict. If Thailand felt strongly that her claim was the right claim, Thailand should seek international help to resolve the issue. Going about her own business of one on one through intimidating and provoking Cambodia to have war to resolve border issue is not away to solve problem between neighbors. This is why ASEAN was established. ASEAN supposely, a regional law enforcement and judge that should help resolve regional problems. If Thailand refused to seek ASEAN intervention, then Thailand shouldn't be a member of the ASEAN. At the same time, if ASEAN relied on two countries who are in conflict to work things out amongst themselves, then ASEAN is spinless and shouldn't be created in the first place. The conflict between Cambodia and Thailand is a test of strength, integrity, and unity of ASEAN. Obviously, ASEAN failed. ASEAN should look at Eropean's NATO as a role model.
If China or any nation who are not a member of ASEAN attacking ASEAN members, let say Vietnam, Loas, or Myanmar. We can all bet that the rest of ASEAN members would be cowardly powerless to help those 3 victimize members. They probably sell themselves out to the perpetrator, instead of trying to help the victims. Personal national interest does not apply when you are a member of a club of ASEAN, especially when members are fighting each others. ASEAN need to clean up its act.
Father of all manipulations and liars.
Last year Cambodian authority apprehended a Thai man who received payment and material from Thai government, sneak inside Cambodia to plant mines while Thai military accused Khmer of planting new mines and violating mine bans treaty. Thai embassy staff didn't even dare to hear the accused man revealed the truth in Khmer court by declining Khmer court invitation.
What a scum nation. Thailand is a cancer state that need to be removed from the UN.
Dear Dr. Hun Sen and Ten Thousands stars Dr. Hun Manet,
Why do you and your relatives give Kos Trol, sea and lands to Vietnam? Why? and Why? Over 10 000 km2 have been given to Vitenam by Dr. Hun Sen treaty 1982. Why???
Why do you and all of your relatives involve a lot of murder cases in Cambodia? Why? Why?
Why do you murder Cambodian K5, 1997 events and so on and so on with lost count? Why?
If you are so good why do you and your families murder Cambodians? Why? And Why?
If you are so good, why do above 90% Cambodians are so poor but you and your relatives are billionaires and millionaires? Why? Why? Why do ordinary cambodians are poor ? Why don't they rich like you?
Why do you try to kill people from telling the true? Why? Why?
What is the difference from Khmer Rough and you, Sir?
If you are so good why do you block KI from Cambodians?
If you are so good, why do you steal all Cambodian life such as well being, health, cut down Cambodians life expectancy as well? But you and your small group are eat well, sleep well, exercise well, have oversea doctors and best medical treatment from high class private doctors from oversea. Most Cambodians that have no money, your healthcare system left Cambodians patients to die in front of your hospital. Why? Why?
If you are so good why more than 6 millions Vietnamese are living permanently in Cambodia, right now? Why, Dr. Hen Sen? And Why
Everywhere, I walk in Cambodia I see Vietnamese speak Vietnamese every where, why? Why?
Don't you and your families scare of hell for eternity?
When you die can you bring all of your power and money with you?
How come only real Khmer with dark skin, skinny with no big land and property willing to go to the frontline to defiance Cambodia land but Chinese Cambodians are hiding and waiting to take the lands and benefit after war, Is that fair to real dark skin Khmer, Dr. Hun Sen???? When the country in trouble only Khmer with dark skin willing to die to protect Cambodian nation but rich fat Cambodians that have big lands, big properties abuse poor dark skin Khmer as stupid after the war over, why Dr. Hun Sen??? Why??? Most Chinese Cambodians are prejudice toward poor dark skin Khmer and they always look down to real Khmer as stupid. They are very hardly let’s dark skin Khmer married their children. Can Dr. Hun Sen please explain to all dark skin military of Cambodia at frontline? Where is the Chinese Cambodians at frontline? Where are they? Is this really fair to poor dark skin Khmer army, Dr. Hun Sen?
Dr. Hun Sen and Dr. Big first lady and his beloved Dr. Hun Manet Please don't put us in jail or kill us for this! We want to live like you and your families do!
Khmers victim of 1997 and K5, Khmer Girl Ms. Rattana Keo
PS
If Dr. Hun Sen and Dr. Hun Manet remove the tablet it is show they are extremely coward and his star are just joy stars given by his daddy not by patriotism. Dr. Hun Manet is very coward as his daddy they only aim to kill innocent Cambodians that all. Dr. Hun SEn and Dr. ten stars Hun Manet are very great at bullying Cambodians and killing Cambodians but cowardly toward Thai and Viet.
CPP are not just corrupted, CPP are extremely corrupt. They are even sell the country such as Kos Trol, Seas, lands, Cambodian people, Cambodian health and well being, all resources in the Cambodia…with lost count. You name it!
Seriously where is the win win policy of Dr. Hun Sen represent? The country is getting smaller and smaller and shame by Dr. Hun Sen and Dr. Hun Manet and his families, his relatives and friends.
2011 5:04 PM
Sir,be fair and respectful to other opinions. Your cuts and pasts are so interuptive and nuisant. Create your own topic and I will read and contribute my thought to yours. I promise I will be fair and square with you.
The way that you behave like this will only diminish the point value of what you try to get across to people mind.
Annoyed participant.
Annoyed partcipant or Some people afraid to reconzied the true and facts that are facing cambodian'society today.
Kos Trol, Sea and lands over 10 000 km2 are no longer belong to cambodians people and Why?
Why do cambodian army at front line fighting over 4.6 km2 but not 10 000 km2 such as Kos Trol, sea and land that illigaly signed and gave to Vietnam? Why?
1:43 PM, Cambodia claims "war" with Thailand means that Cambodia is to tell the UN that is is at war with Thailand. Cambodia must tell the UNSC that it is at war with Thailand, so that the UN will intervene. If it is only a clash and not a war, the UN will never intervene, but just advise both parties to come back to the bilateral negotiations. To get the UN involved Cambodia need to prove that it is at war with Thailand. This is what Cambodia is trying to do and this is what the article means.
I heard thai had sent over 300 tanks to the area at border and over 30 000 army on top of the old one already. Do you thai will use all that tanks to shoot khmer? I'm scare.
Annoyed participant replied to 6:50 PM.
Right now I want to kick Thais asses first then I'm waiting for you to identify yourself,your credential,your list of your top generals. I will evaluate if it strong enough to fight Yuon I will joint you. If you are sincere in caring for Khmer problems on Eastern side you should take an opportunity when Khmer and Thai at the UN to "generalize" border issue from Thai/Khmer into Neighbors/Khmer in the international forum using all your skills you have instead of asking why we lost Koh Trol.Do you have the ability to do of what I just suggest? If not go back to school and learn some more.You can call me a coward in face of Yuon a blind or whatever but will it benefit Khmer. By the way I have no affiliation with Hun Sen or I intend to joint CPP.I am an outside observer do not like any distraction for the solidiers who have enough burden already.
Why do Kos Trol, sea and lands proximately over 10 000 km2 have been lost to Vietnam by who treaty? Why don't Cambodia goverment transparency explain to cambodia army at front line and the whole nation about this? Why don't they include this into education system? Why?
Cambodian army are fighting at front line for 4.6 km2 and what's about over 10 000km2 of cambodia to Vietnam. Nobody dare to talk about it! Why? Cambodian army you are decide the fade of your nation, Cambodian army as well as cambodian people must rethink about this again and again. Is it fair?
Kos Trol, Sea and lands over 10 000km2 have been lost to Vietnam by who treaty at 1979 to 1985 treaty! treaty! Cambodian army at front line as well as all cambodian people must rethink again about these issues. Are cambodian army fighting to protect the Cambodia Nation or protect a very small group that own big lands, big properties or only protecting a small group rather in the real name of protecting khmer nation?
Cambodian army at front line suffer under rain, wind, bullets, bombs,lack of foods, lack of nutrition, their families have no health care help, no securities after they die but a very small group eat well, sleep well, sleep in first class hotel with air conditioning with young girls message, have super health care from oversea medical treatment, they are billionairs, millionairs who sell out the country to be rich and make cambodian people suffer everyday as cambodian people know already.
Who signed the treaty 1979-1985 that result lost over 10 000 km2 of Cambodia??? Why don't they transparency inform all Cambodian and cambodian army at front line about these issues? Why don't include Kos Trol ( Kos Trol size is bigger than the whole Phom Phen with planty of natural resources ) in education program?
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