Tuesday, July 19th, 2011
Voice of America
Departing Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (pictured) is calling for dialogue with Cambodia to ease military tensions near the border site of a disputed temple, following a ruling from the United Nation's highest court that orders both sides to withdraw troops from the area.
Mr. Abhisit said Tuesday the talks are needed because, in his words, “it is impossible” for both sides to begin a pullback from the remote area simultaneously without talks. He also told Reuters television that Cambodia has some 4,000 troops at the flashpoint site, while Thailand has a smaller force in place.
In Phnom Penh, a Defense Ministry spokesman told VOA's Khmer service Tuesday that Cambodia will not consider withdrawing its troops until Indonesian peace monitors are in place. However, spokesman Phay Siphan said Cambodian forces have been ordered to keep a low profile until peacekeepers promised by the Jakarta government are in place.
Cambodia and Thailand argued their cases to the International Court of Justice in May, following nearly three months of military clashes near the 900-year-old Hindu-Khmer temple, called Preah Vihear (PREH-vee-HEAR) in Cambodia and Phra Viharn (PRAH WEE-hahn) in Thailand.
Nearly 30 people, including civilians, have been killed in the fighting.
Thailand acknowledges that the temple itself belongs to Cambodia, but Bangkok has long claimed much of the land surrounding the facility, including a key access road.
Tensions have mounted since 2008, when UNESCO listed the temple as a World heritage Site.
Departing Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (pictured) is calling for dialogue with Cambodia to ease military tensions near the border site of a disputed temple, following a ruling from the United Nation's highest court that orders both sides to withdraw troops from the area.
Mr. Abhisit said Tuesday the talks are needed because, in his words, “it is impossible” for both sides to begin a pullback from the remote area simultaneously without talks. He also told Reuters television that Cambodia has some 4,000 troops at the flashpoint site, while Thailand has a smaller force in place.
In Phnom Penh, a Defense Ministry spokesman told VOA's Khmer service Tuesday that Cambodia will not consider withdrawing its troops until Indonesian peace monitors are in place. However, spokesman Phay Siphan said Cambodian forces have been ordered to keep a low profile until peacekeepers promised by the Jakarta government are in place.
Cambodia and Thailand argued their cases to the International Court of Justice in May, following nearly three months of military clashes near the 900-year-old Hindu-Khmer temple, called Preah Vihear (PREH-vee-HEAR) in Cambodia and Phra Viharn (PRAH WEE-hahn) in Thailand.
Nearly 30 people, including civilians, have been killed in the fighting.
Thailand acknowledges that the temple itself belongs to Cambodia, but Bangkok has long claimed much of the land surrounding the facility, including a key access road.
Tensions have mounted since 2008, when UNESCO listed the temple as a World heritage Site.
1 comment:
Cambodia needed to be cautious with the talk as Thailand taking initiative to resolve the issue which is out of Thailand character in the past. Thailand will want to shift the gear into bilateral talk as it wanted from the beginning but Cambodia cannot trust Thailand that why Cambodia needed to stick with 3rd parties involvement in the talks. The other sticking point that Cambodia need to be on alert is that Thailand will try to shift the talk to GBC to implement the order from the court. I am not saying the GBC from Cambodia side is weak but there tecnicality of detail regarding implementation of the withdrawal; I would urge that Cambodia do not make any decision without group consultation and approval from PM Hun Sen. Remember GBC was not the one involve in the court proceeding therefore their knowledge is limited eventhough information being shared with all the teams, I assumed. Cambodia should take the initiative rather then waiting for Thailand to call the shot all the time for talk to resolve/implement the court order. Cambodia should show Thailand who is in charge. Come with prepared agenda rather then response to Thailand agenda. This way you have time to think what you really wanted and how you wanted it. I dont mean to give advise or carry away with my comment. I am sure the government has many great advisors.
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