The two countries claims jurisdiction on territory which had been
demarcated as being under Cambodian sovereignty by an international
treaty between Siam and the then French Indochina in 1904 and 1907.
This fact was recognized in a number of subsequent treaties and
conventions in the 1920's, 1930's and after the second World War. It
is only after the independence of Cambodia in 1953 that Thai troops
occupied what has been Cambodian territory particularly in the area of
the sacred site of Preah Vihear.
To resolve the situation Cambodia seized the International Court of
Justice to arbitrate the conflict. In its judgment of June 1962, the
Court ruled that the Temple and its surrounding areas were situated
within Cambodian territory. It based its decision on the existence of
a map it considered to be an integral part of the Treaty settlement
between Indochina and Siam.
This map clearly shows that the Temple and a 4.6 square kilometers
area adjacent to it are Cambodian territory. The Thailand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs cannot claim that Thai troops are on Thai territory.
Cambodian troops reacted in self defense after more Thai troops
deployed in areas near the Temple effectively blocking access to the
Temple from Cambodian territory.
Cambodia has repeatedly strongly protested against serious armed
provocations by Thailand. This Thursday, October 16, the Royal
Government of Cambodia has officially lodged a complaint with the UN
Secretary General.
In a communiqué issued on October 15, the Royal Government of Cambodia
strongly objected to insinuation and accusations by Thai sources that
Cambodia is laying new mines in the area. Such accusations are
baseless and provocative and tantamount to conscious disinformation.
The communiqué went on to explain that Cambodia is not laying new
mines and that it has does not have any stock of mines. Cambodia is an
earnest signatory of the land mine treaty and a dutiful implementer of
its provisions. Cambodian authorities are too much aware of the
sinister consequences for the people.
Thailand is using the pretext of demining contested areas to
effectively occupy Cambodian territory. The two countries have
repeatedly agreed that respective demining authorities would work
jointly and cooperatively to demine areas to be demarcated as
requested by the Joint Border Commission.
The Royal Government of Cambodia deplores the loss of life by both
sides. It is committed to resolving the border issue peacefully and in
a spirit of good neighborliness. However, in the face of blatant
aggression by Thai troops in Cambodian territory, Cambodia can only
defend itself with utmost restraint while seeking the intervention of
a third party to help arbitrate the issue.
Cambodian officials understand that it is very difficult for the Thai
side to negotiate in good faith at a time of high political unrest in
Bangkok and after nationalist sentiments having been exacerbated ever
since the Temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List by unanimous
decision of the UNESCO.
It is deplorable that Thai officials use trickery. While pretending to
negotiate and to work cooperatively they send more troops in more
areas. Their use of international media to misinform, insinuate and
accuse is not constructive and is not reflective of a true desire to
reach a peaceful solution. Knowing it is clearly on the wrong side of
the argument; Thailand is clearly using brute force and lies to
achieve its end. Articles in the Bangkok press have become instruments
of aggression against Cambodia.
by Anonymous to my Mail.
demarcated as being under Cambodian sovereignty by an international
treaty between Siam and the then French Indochina in 1904 and 1907.
This fact was recognized in a number of subsequent treaties and
conventions in the 1920's, 1930's and after the second World War. It
is only after the independence of Cambodia in 1953 that Thai troops
occupied what has been Cambodian territory particularly in the area of
the sacred site of Preah Vihear.
To resolve the situation Cambodia seized the International Court of
Justice to arbitrate the conflict. In its judgment of June 1962, the
Court ruled that the Temple and its surrounding areas were situated
within Cambodian territory. It based its decision on the existence of
a map it considered to be an integral part of the Treaty settlement
between Indochina and Siam.
This map clearly shows that the Temple and a 4.6 square kilometers
area adjacent to it are Cambodian territory. The Thailand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs cannot claim that Thai troops are on Thai territory.
Cambodian troops reacted in self defense after more Thai troops
deployed in areas near the Temple effectively blocking access to the
Temple from Cambodian territory.
Cambodia has repeatedly strongly protested against serious armed
provocations by Thailand. This Thursday, October 16, the Royal
Government of Cambodia has officially lodged a complaint with the UN
Secretary General.
In a communiqué issued on October 15, the Royal Government of Cambodia
strongly objected to insinuation and accusations by Thai sources that
Cambodia is laying new mines in the area. Such accusations are
baseless and provocative and tantamount to conscious disinformation.
The communiqué went on to explain that Cambodia is not laying new
mines and that it has does not have any stock of mines. Cambodia is an
earnest signatory of the land mine treaty and a dutiful implementer of
its provisions. Cambodian authorities are too much aware of the
sinister consequences for the people.
Thailand is using the pretext of demining contested areas to
effectively occupy Cambodian territory. The two countries have
repeatedly agreed that respective demining authorities would work
jointly and cooperatively to demine areas to be demarcated as
requested by the Joint Border Commission.
The Royal Government of Cambodia deplores the loss of life by both
sides. It is committed to resolving the border issue peacefully and in
a spirit of good neighborliness. However, in the face of blatant
aggression by Thai troops in Cambodian territory, Cambodia can only
defend itself with utmost restraint while seeking the intervention of
a third party to help arbitrate the issue.
Cambodian officials understand that it is very difficult for the Thai
side to negotiate in good faith at a time of high political unrest in
Bangkok and after nationalist sentiments having been exacerbated ever
since the Temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List by unanimous
decision of the UNESCO.
It is deplorable that Thai officials use trickery. While pretending to
negotiate and to work cooperatively they send more troops in more
areas. Their use of international media to misinform, insinuate and
accuse is not constructive and is not reflective of a true desire to
reach a peaceful solution. Knowing it is clearly on the wrong side of
the argument; Thailand is clearly using brute force and lies to
achieve its end. Articles in the Bangkok press have become instruments
of aggression against Cambodia.
by Anonymous to my Mail.
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