By The Nation
Published on August 5, 2010
[Thai] PM backs spirit of message that dispute should not spoil harmony in the region
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva interpreted a letter from the Cambodian king's adviser as a welcome gesture, saying the idea to make the Preah Vihear a symbol of reconciliation between the two countries sounded good.
"The Preah Vihear has historical and cultural values which could create peace and reconciliation between the people of two countries," he said.
"But if we take advantage of the issue for territorial boundary purposes, people on both sides won't accept it."
The Thai government has objected to the world heritage inscription on the Preah Vihear for fear of territory loss in the disputed areas adjacent to the temple.
In a letter to Abhisit recently, Prince Sisowath Thomico (pictured), an adviser to King Norodom Sihamoni, said the two countries should not use the territorial dispute to spoil "harmony" in the region.
"Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our people by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development," the prince's letter was quoted as saying by the Phnom Penh Post.
Abhisit acknowledged the letter but said he had not yet received the copy. It was unclear whether the letter is a personal idea or reflects real opinion in the Cambodian government, he said.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the Thai government interpreted the letter as a personal one to express goodwill and cordial relations between the two countries.
The Foreign Ministry would read and offer an official interpretation of the letter later, he said.
The letter was sent when Thailand and Cambodia were both claiming victory over the World Heritage Committee's decision.
Thailand saw a victory in the committee's decision to consider the temple management plan at its next session in 2011, rather than reading reports submitted by Cambodia during the session in Brazil last week.
Thailand expressed its concern that Cambodia might take the areas to the west and north of the temple, which are subject of a border dispute with Thailand, as buffer zones for the heritage-listed property.
Cambodia argued it had not taken the areas - and the committee decision would not deter it from implementing the plan it had submitted to the committee months ago.
Nationalist movements in Thailand are pressuring the government to oppose all Cambodian moves and activities at the Preah Vihear. They called on the government to use military force to exercise 'Thai sovereignty' in the disputed areas near the temple. "Peaceful ways might cause loss of territory," said Panthep Puapongpan, spokesman of the People's Alliance for Democracy.
Phnom Penh blamed Abhisit's government for provoking nationalism and for giving out misleading information over the world heritage for political gain.
The Preah Vihear's status was ruled on by the International Court of Justice in 1962. It is situated in territory under sovereignty of Cambodia, but nationalists in Thailand and Abhisit's government claim only the stone temple ruin belongs to Cambodia, not the surrounding areas.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen told the Cambodian people there was nothing to worry about over the border issue with Thailand, despite feelings heating up. The military leaders of both sides met and agreed to keep their troops in their stations.
Despite the current calm, Hun Sen said his troops were ready to protect the border from intrusion.
[Thai] PM backs spirit of message that dispute should not spoil harmony in the region
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva interpreted a letter from the Cambodian king's adviser as a welcome gesture, saying the idea to make the Preah Vihear a symbol of reconciliation between the two countries sounded good.
"The Preah Vihear has historical and cultural values which could create peace and reconciliation between the people of two countries," he said.
"But if we take advantage of the issue for territorial boundary purposes, people on both sides won't accept it."
The Thai government has objected to the world heritage inscription on the Preah Vihear for fear of territory loss in the disputed areas adjacent to the temple.
In a letter to Abhisit recently, Prince Sisowath Thomico (pictured), an adviser to King Norodom Sihamoni, said the two countries should not use the territorial dispute to spoil "harmony" in the region.
"Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our people by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development," the prince's letter was quoted as saying by the Phnom Penh Post.
Abhisit acknowledged the letter but said he had not yet received the copy. It was unclear whether the letter is a personal idea or reflects real opinion in the Cambodian government, he said.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the Thai government interpreted the letter as a personal one to express goodwill and cordial relations between the two countries.
The Foreign Ministry would read and offer an official interpretation of the letter later, he said.
The letter was sent when Thailand and Cambodia were both claiming victory over the World Heritage Committee's decision.
Thailand saw a victory in the committee's decision to consider the temple management plan at its next session in 2011, rather than reading reports submitted by Cambodia during the session in Brazil last week.
Thailand expressed its concern that Cambodia might take the areas to the west and north of the temple, which are subject of a border dispute with Thailand, as buffer zones for the heritage-listed property.
Cambodia argued it had not taken the areas - and the committee decision would not deter it from implementing the plan it had submitted to the committee months ago.
Nationalist movements in Thailand are pressuring the government to oppose all Cambodian moves and activities at the Preah Vihear. They called on the government to use military force to exercise 'Thai sovereignty' in the disputed areas near the temple. "Peaceful ways might cause loss of territory," said Panthep Puapongpan, spokesman of the People's Alliance for Democracy.
Phnom Penh blamed Abhisit's government for provoking nationalism and for giving out misleading information over the world heritage for political gain.
The Preah Vihear's status was ruled on by the International Court of Justice in 1962. It is situated in territory under sovereignty of Cambodia, but nationalists in Thailand and Abhisit's government claim only the stone temple ruin belongs to Cambodia, not the surrounding areas.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen told the Cambodian people there was nothing to worry about over the border issue with Thailand, despite feelings heating up. The military leaders of both sides met and agreed to keep their troops in their stations.
Despite the current calm, Hun Sen said his troops were ready to protect the border from intrusion.
6 comments:
This man does not know what he is talking about. It sounds like he wants to take Dr. sok ann job.
I think he's done a good job here. By using diplomacy, he is able to get Thai and international attention to Cambodia's view point.
To All Readers:
These are reality on the ground:
1. Thai incursion and occupation at PV is a real violation of Cambodia's territorial integrity and sovereignty
2. The Thais are threatening Cambodia because they know we are too weak militarily, economically and diplomatically to face up to their challenge
3. The Thais know that in case of greater conflict on PV, the leading powers will side with them (The US with the Treaty of Amity, Japan because of the heavy Japanese investments in Thailand, ASEAN and may be the EU)
Todate, Cambodia failed to have the Preah Vihear adopted at the recent UNESCO WHC session in Brazil due to very strong Thai lobbying abilities. They had a 50 member delegation (including military officers) armed with a war chest of Bath 10 million to lobby the 21 members of the WHC in Brazil.
UNESCO felt that they then should postpone the decision to next year Bahrain meeting as a result of such strong Thai lobbying. So Sok An claiming "victory" needs to be really checked...
What people DON'T know is that next year WHC Bahrain Meeting will have Thailand as Vice Chair and in 2012, Thailand will host the WHC Meeting. Hence, the Thais are buying time...
So far, messages/communiqués coming out of the Council of Ministers (Quick Reaction Unit) have been very confrontational which is not sustainable and productive as compared to more balanced and diplomatic communiqués from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Here stands the sharp difference in tone and professionalism in handling such sensitive issue.
Prince Thomico's Letter sets the permanent Cambodian stance that notwithstanding the unjust border demarcation done by the past colonial powers, reclaiming any land in Preah Vihear is a simply futile attemtp by the Thais and they should cease such exercise.
Abhisit is now seeking a face saving exit and Cambodia should offer him a helping hand to do so as a win-win solution benefiting both nations.
Joint Management of Preah Vihear is a categoric NO from Cambodia. Thailand should perhaps agree to join in the 7 members of the ICC (Int'l Coordinating Committee) comprised of China, Australia, India, etc... as doing so would benefit really BOTH nations as Preah Vihear could develop then as a real symbol of harmonious relationship between the 2 countries in the end...
Cambodia (Sok AN & Team) should switch gear and if their team has no person able to adopt a new strategy, then they should either incorporate a new member to help bring about a peaceful solution or leave it to others (perhaps the Foreign Ministry) to take over to solve the issue.
Preah Vihear is a micro issue in Foreign Affairs but Foreign Affaris per se is the macro issue of the relevant Foreign Ministry itself with better diplomatic skills and expertise...
So is the Preah Vihear assignment mismatched???
To All Readers:
These are reality on the ground:
1. Thai incursion and occupation at PV is a real violation of Cambodia's territorial integrity and sovereignty
2. The Thais are threatening Cambodia because they know we are too weak militarily, economically and diplomatically to face up to their challenge
3. The Thais know that in case of greater conflict on PV, the leading powers will side with them (The US with the Treaty of Amity, Japan because of the heavy Japanese investments in Thailand, ASEAN and may be the EU)
Todate, Cambodia failed to have the Preah Vihear adopted at the recent UNESCO WHC session in Brazil due to very strong Thai lobbying abilities. They had a 50 member delegation (including military officers) armed with a war chest of Bath 10 million to lobby the 21 members of the WHC in Brazil.
UNESCO felt that they then should postpone the decision to next year Bahrain meeting as a result of such strong Thai lobbying. So Sok An claiming "victory" needs to be really checked...
What people DON'T know is that next year WHC Bahrain Meeting will have Thailand as Vice Chair and in 2012, Thailand will host the WHC Meeting. Hence, the Thais are buying time...
So far, messages/communiqués coming out of the Council of Ministers (Quick Reaction Unit) have been very confrontational which is not sustainable and productive as compared to more balanced and diplomatic communiqués from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Here stands the sharp difference in tone and professionalism in handling such sensitive issue.
Prince Thomico's Letter sets the permanent Cambodian stance that notwithstanding the unjust border demarcation done by the past colonial powers, reclaiming any land in Preah Vihear is a simply futile attemtp by the Thais and they should cease such exercise.
Abhisit is now seeking a face saving exit and Cambodia should offer him a helping hand to do so as a win-win solution benefiting both nations.
Joint Management of Preah Vihear is a categoric NO from Cambodia. Thailand should perhaps agree to join in the 7 members of the ICC (Int'l Coordinating Committee) comprised of China, Australia, India, etc... as doing so would benefit really BOTH nations as Preah Vihear could develop then as a real symbol of harmonious relationship between the 2 countries in the end...
Cambodia (Sok AN & Team) should switch gear and if their team has no person able to adopt a new strategy, then they should either incorporate a new member to help bring about a peaceful solution or leave it to others (perhaps the Foreign Ministry) to take over to solve the issue.
Preah Vihear is a micro issue in Foreign Affairs but Foreign Affaris per se is the macro issue of the relevant Foreign Ministry itself with better diplomatic skills and expertise...
So is the Preah Vihear assignment mismatched???
10:41PM,
I agree with your rationale here. Thailand is using its war threat to intimidate Cambodia and Unesco on Preah Vihear. It has successfully lobbied to delay Preah Vihear listing for many times. For next year in Bahrain meeting, Thailand might succeed in getting some concessions again, like asking Cambodia to change details of the plan to just to include the temple only- no land included. Cambodia must work harder.
Thailand right now is a state of emergency, a state of bomb blast and a state of colony of foreign death.
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