A Change of Guard

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Tuesday 3 May 2011

Cambodia takes dispute with Thailand to UN court


Thai soldiers take up a position while patrolling near the Thai-Cambodian frontline in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, early Sunday, May 1, 2011. Troops from Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged fire again Sunday at the countries' disputed border as the conflict entered its 10th day.
(AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

Cambodia asks highest UN court to order Thailand to halt military action at disputed border

By Associated Press,
The Washington Post
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Cambodia has asked the United Nations’ highest court to order Thailand to withdraw troops and halt military activity around a temple at the center of a decades-old border dispute that has flared into deadly military clashes.

Fighting in recent weeks along the disputed border region in northeastern Thailand that surrounds the Preah Vihear temple has left 16 soldiers and one Thai civilian dead.

In a request filed April 28 and made available Tuesday on the court’s website, Cambodia asked International Court of Justice judges to urgently deal with its request “because of the gravity of the situation.”

Cambodia claims that according to a 1962 ruling by the court the temple is on its territory and warns that if the intervention request is rejected and clashes continue, “the damage to the Temple of Preah Vihear, as well as irremediable losses of life and human suffering ... would become worse.”

The border dispute has stirred nationalist sentiment on both sides. But analysts say domestic politics may also be fueling the conflict, especially in Thailand, where the military that staged a coup in 2006 could be flexing its muscles ahead of elections due in June or July.

The conflict involves small swaths of land along the border that have been disputed for more than half a century. Including the latest fighting, clashes have broken out six times since 2008, when Cambodia’s 11th-century Preah Vihear temple was given U.N. World Heritage status over Thailand’s objections.

Analysts say the fighting is primarily being driven by domestic tensions within each country rather than tensions between them. Neither side appears to be trying to capture territory, and few believe the conflict will evolve into full-scale war.

The fighting forced tens of thousands of villagers on both sides of the border to flee their homes. Many of them returned this week from makeshift refugee camps as the latest skirmishes eased from artillery barrages to small arms exchanges.

Rulings by the court are supposed to be final and binding on parties.

Cambodia has formally applied for an “interpretation” — a written explanation — by the court of its 1962 judgment, and argued in its written application that the court’s opinion “could then serve as a basis for a final resolution of this dispute through negotiation or any other peaceful means.”

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

We have all the bell&whistle to the rogue state Thailand it not apply .

The only thing Thailand will bow to is force a century a go France given Thai the ultimatum sign the treaty or Thailand will be disappear a century on in the same spot the same issue France is long gone and Khmer the inheritance's treaty from France don't have what France have only rely on it legitimacy will that enough no! .

Rely on international community and the world court it just the temporary solution for the long lasting solution we have to have some thing as deterrent some thing big that will hurt Thailand badly .

Medium range missiles that can reach major city and airport of Thailand that another alternative .

War with Thailand in this state look inevitable sooner or later Thailand will use force to settle the issue with us .

We have to prepare now don't wait it until too late we on our own now .

Anonymous said...

good decision by our leaders,
let world court body, deal with siam 1 for all... and to claim our territory back

Anonymous said...

Siam-thief invaded Preah vihear before... back in 1962, if i still remembered? But UN told Siam-thief to withrawal all of their troops Out!! They looted, took all artifacts from the Temple!

Anonymous said...

Thailand will lost Face at world court! I hope ICJ will teach Thailand a big lesson...The world knew clearly that Thailand is violated cambodian's soverignty...

Anonymous said...

So much for some dumbass claiming that Thai soldiers only wear black uniform. We all remember a picture of a dead soldier being dragged away by Thai soldiers in black? Thai media claimed that it was a body of a dead Cambodian soldier. Well, the picture above is showing Thai soldiers also wearing unform similar to the Cambodian soldier.

Anonymous said...

Hope everything is going ok. This is the best option for cambodia. hun sen should have taken this option a long time ago. if he did, maybe everything is finished by now.

Anonymous said...

This is rediculus. Cambodia shouldn't have to return to ICJ to clarify the land around Preah Vihear. Back then 1962, ICJ didn't think there would be any problem because according 1907 Siemese-Franco border agreement, Preah Vihear is totally inside Cambodia. Preah Vihear is no where connect to Thai border. Thailand made up that 4.6km dispute territory bullshit and expect Cambodia to agree to it or face war. Thailand is a dirty son-of-a bitch and an asshole. Thailand is making something out of nothing. Whatever the case, I hope ICJ make it clear once and or all so Thailand can't produce anymore reason to make false claim. Then again, within another 50 years or so, Thailand will make up a new reason over territory so to have war with Cambodia. It wait for Cambodia at her weakest time then make a strike. This is a repeat of history. This is how Thailand was able to expand its territory. This is the delima between Cambodia and Thailand. Thailand will always find reason to go to war with Cambodia, regardless if that reason is right or wrong. Most the time, the wrong reasons. This time it's Preah Vihear, Prasat Ta Maon, Ta Krabey, what's next? Angkor Wat?

Anonymous said...

WW3 start from SEA :)) here come Khmer Nuke....only Cha Peam :))