Thai delegation to leave for Hague to elaborate Temple issue

May 27 , 2011
Source: Xinhua

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will leave for The Hague of the Netherlands Friday evening to elaborate the Preah Vihear Temple issue with the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

According to Information Department Director-General and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Thani Thongphakdi, the minister and his entourage will leave Thailand Friday evening to present information to the ICJ after Cambodia sought an interpretation of the ICJ's 1962 judgement on the temple case, Thai National News Bureau reported, adding that the Foreign Minister will finish his mission on May 31.

The Thai delegation comprises government officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal Thai Survey Department of the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture.

They will arrive in The Hague this weekend for internal consultations and preparing documentations and are expected to finish their mission on May 31.

The Thai delegation has been preparing for this issue for a period of time including employment of foreign advisors to support the operation of the Thai working group since Thailand has already been expecting that Cambodia will take the temple issue to the ICJ once again.

As the interpretation of the verdict might take about 1-2 years to complete, the Cambodian side has asked the ICJ to issue a temporary measure ordering the Thai side to withdraw troops from the disputed zone pending the ruling.

The ICJ will take about three weeks, after Thailand and Cambodia present their information, to consider whether it is necessary to issue the temporary order. It is expected that Thailand and Cambodia will have to present written information to the ICJ again by September or October.

The ICJ awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962. However, Thailand claims the ownership of the 4.6 square km next to the temple. Cambodia and Thailand had a border conflict, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

Source: Xinhua