16th August 2012
By Achara Ashayagachat
Bangkok Post
Still, a military source involved in the issue said the military saw no merit in rushing the deal unless Cambodia offers some real concessions.
The Yingluck Shinawatra administration will ask parliament to decide whether Thailand should comply with the International Court of Justice's order to withdraw troops from the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple.
The aim is to free the government from
making sensitive decisions that could affect the relationship between
the administration and the armed forces, according to a government
source.
The issue is expected to be
considered at a cabinet meeting soon, the source said. If the idea is
endorsed, the cabinet will forward the issue to parliament for its
consideration. "We are still optimistic that within this four-month
parliamentary session, the issue should get a debate. It's a matter that
all sides should be jointly responsible for," the source added.
On July 18, 2011 the ICJ ordered
both Cambodia and Thailand to immediately withdraw troops from the
Provisional Demilitarised Zone, an area covering roughly 17.3 sq km.
Military officers and diplomats have been at odds over whether to comply with the ICJ's ruling.
Sources say the military's stance has not changed, although communication and coordination with political leaders have improved.
Military brass will not withdraw the troops unless landmines are fully removed in a joint effort with the Cambodian side, sources say. But this condition is widely understood to be impossible to achieve.
The military's position, essentially, is that the ICJ has no jurisdiction in Thailand, so compliance is unnecessary.
The Yingluck administration's
decision to send the issue to parliament for consideration is a wise
move, added the government source, who has knowledge of the cabinet's
proceedings.
No matter which way the debate
turns out, the administration can distance itself from the decision if
necessary, the source added.
One year after the ICJ ruling,
Thailand and Cambodia began "redeploying" troops. The two countries
replaced their soldiers with border police in disputed areas on July 18
this year as a first step to comply with the ICJ's order.
The move allows both countries
to show to a certain extent that they have complied with the court
ruling, as the two countries prepare for oral arguments in front of the
ICJ at a hearing on April 15, 2013. Cambodia's gesture to pull out its
troops was announced during the 45th Asean Ministerial Meeting in Phnom
Penh in early July.
On July 13, Prime Minister
Yingluck followed suit and made a similar commitment with Cambodian
counterpart Hun Sen on the sidelines of the US-Asean Business Forum in
Siem Reap.
In fact, the cabinet had
resolved on Oct 18, 2011, based on the advice of the National Security
Council, to comply with the ICJ order.
But since then the government
has been bogged down with other political issues such as flood
rehabilitation, conflicts on reconciliation bills, and the charter
amendment issue.
Defence Minister Sukumpol
Suwanatat and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul have had a hard
time convincing the military to follow the ruling Pheu Thai Party's line
that the matter should be decided by parliament. In a coordinated
series of efforts, diplomats have been wining, dining and golfing with
the military in recent weeks to press home that message, sources told
the Bangkok Post.
Diplomats are trying to ensure
that not only the military, but also academics and the media adopt the
same line to help defend Thailand's position at the ICJ oral hearing
next year.
Still, a military source involved in the issue said the military saw no merit in rushing the deal unless Cambodia offers some real concessions.
4 comments:
Csmbodian own the land all the way to bank kok if learn about the history of Khmer empire that sketched from Burma to tonking of China.Siam should back off....
Siam always wanted to invade Srok Khmer. They were stopped only because they compete with Youns, and when youns come Siam gave up and wait for the next opportunity.
Only hope the Khmer Surin, Borirom, Sisaket and Chantabon will stand again the Bangkok people.
It is the country of your Khmer ancestor. You have the right and not let someone else to make the decision behind your head.
bitch is still a bitch.be prepare for a war!!
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