PM says Thailand is not put at a disadvantage

Jul 19, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

The International Court of Justice's decision to set up a "provisional demilitarised zone" around the Preah Vihear temple and order Thailand and Cambodia to immediately withdraw their troops from it will not have a binding effect on Thai sovereignty, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says.

"The ruling is a temporary provisional measure and it will not have a binding commitment to Thai sovereignty and the ruling does not place Thailand at a disadvantage," Mr Abhisit said smilingly to reporters yesterday evening after learning of the ruling.

He said he would meet the army chief, the defence and foreign ministers, and representatives of the National Security Council and the Council of State today to discuss measures to be followed in the wake of the ICJ ruling.

"The withdrawal of soldiers is not a simple walk because there are procedures and it requires the prevention of infiltration," Mr Abhisit said.

As part of the ruling, Cambodia must also withdraw its troops from the Preah Vihear temple and the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, the prime minister said.

However, a practical mechanism is needed to facilitate the withdrawal and the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) is the most suitable forum for negotiations about the matter, said Mr Abhisit.

"I believe the ruling relieves tension."

The court yesterday read its ruling on Cambodia's request for indication of provisional measures filed on April 28 when it asked the court to order Thailand to withdraw its soldiers and stop all military activity around the Preah Vihear temple.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya led the Thai team to hear the ruling while Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong led the Cambodian side.

While the court rejected Thailand's request for the case introduced by Cambodia to be thrown out, it went beyond Cambodia's demand that Thai troops be ordered out of the area.

The court drew a "provisional demilitarised zone" around the Preah Vihear temple and ordered both Thailand and Cambodia to immediately withdraw their troops from the zone.

The ICJ ordered both sides to refrain from any military presence within the zone and from any armed activity directed at it. It also ordered the two parties to refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute or make it more difficult to resolve.

The court ordered Thailand not to obstruct Cambodia's free access to the Preah Vihear temple or the provision of fresh supplies to its non-military personnel there.

It also called on the two nations to continue cooperating with Asean and allow the appointed observers to monitor the ceasefire and to gain access to the demilitarised zone.

In addition, each party was required to inform the court about their compliance with the provisional measures.

Both sides said they were satisfied with the decision.

Mr Kasit said he was satisfied because the court did not comply with Cambodia's request that Thailand unilaterally withdraw its military.

"The provisional demilitarised zone will not put Thailand at a disadvantage. Neither does the court decision in any way prejudice its further consideration of another request, the court's pending interpretation of the 1962 judgment on the Preah Vihear temple," he said.

Mr Kasit said the court's decision was in line with what Thailand had anticipated and the military withdrawal would be discussed at the GBC meeting led by the military.

Cambodia's Hor Nam Hong meanwhile welcomed the court decision.

"This provisional demilitarised zone means there will be a permanent ceasefire. It will be tantamount to the cessation of aggression by Thailand against Cambodia," he said.

Second Army chief Thawatchai Samutsakhon said he thought that the ICJ ruling would lead to many problems in the near future.

"It's not easy to withdraw troops from the area," said Lt Gen Thawatchai.

Second Army spokesman Prawit Hukaeo denied a report that the Cambodian army has deployed more troops and weapons to the disputed area.

Noppadon Pattama, a former foreign minister and a legal adviser to deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, said the Thai government should seek clarification from the ICJ over its ruling that Thailand may not obstruct Cambodian authorities from accessing Preah Vihear.

"If they built a road through the disputed area, the Thai government should protest against the construction," said Mr Noppadon.

Meanwhile, the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) yesterday demanded that the government refuse to withdraw troops from the disputed area and reject the ICJ ruling.