Soldiers going nowhere soon

P. Penh wants observers sent to border area first

Jul 21, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

Thailand and Cambodia have insisted they will not immediately withdraw their troops from the disputed border area near Preah Vihear temple as ordered by the International Court of Justice.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong yesterday said third-party observers must be sent to the border area before it will comply with the order of the UN's highest court order to immediately withdraw troops.

The Hague-based ICJ ruled on Monday both countries should remove their forces from the area around the temple, scene of deadly clashes earlier this year.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Tuesday talks between the neighbours would have to precede any military pullout.

Hor Namhong said he had urged Indonesia, chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), to send observers into the area as soon as possible.

"For Cambodia, Indonesian observers must arrive to examine the area first before we withdraw," he told reporters.

Prime Minister Abhisit said yesterday the Thai military had strategic plans to handle the removal of its troops.

Meanwhile, the army said it would keep soldiers in the disputed area pending lengthy negotiations with Cambodia for a mutually fair troop withdrawal.

"The soldiers are maintaining their numbers in the area because any change or withdrawal of forces must be free of the perception that one side is taking advantage of or is at a disadvantage to the other," said army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

"This requires discussions with Cambodia through the Thai-Cambodian GBC [General Border Committee] so these developments can happen and people can be assured we are looking after our sovereignty," he said.

Thai and Cambodian authorities would discuss when and how their troop withdrawals should take place.

He expected the discussions to be lengthy and detailed, and also include the arrival of foreign observers in the disputed area adjacent to the temple ruins.

Col Sansern said the new government will take action in relation to the court's provisional order to set up a demilitarised zone covering the disputed area and its vicinity.

Col Thanathip Sawangsaeng, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said that under the constitution, parliament would have to consent to the withdrawal.

Any move must wait for the opening of the House.

"I can assure that for the time being Thai soldiers, who are duty-bound to guarantee order, will remain at their locations to protect the local people," Col Thanathip said.

Residents living on the border need not fear.

The yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday called on the government to reject the ruling by the ICJ.

The PAD demanded the government and the military urgently issue an announcement that they do not accept the ICJ's ruling, keep troops in the disputed area and expel Cambodians from it.

They were also urged to develop and restore international relations, particularly with member countries of the United Nations Security Council, and not reapply for membership of the World Heritage Convention.

The group also asked them to revoke the 2000 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia on demarcation of the border, and seek the release of Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who are imprisoned in Cambodia for spying and illegal entry.

Thais and Cambodians yesterday were able to visit Ta Muen Thom temple in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province. Unarmed soldiers from both sides accompanied the visitors. Cambodian soldiers entered the temple also to monitor Thai troops.