Thai Stand On Observers Slammed

[Lite Beer]

Thai stand on observers flayed

By Nuntida Puangthong

The Nation on Sunday.

Cambodian foreign minister says conflicting signals make it difficult to deal with Bangkok over border conflict

Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong yesterday slammed Thailand over its hesitation to receive Indonesian observers to monitor the permanent ceasefire at the disputed border near Preah Vihear Temple, saying Bangkok had sent many confusing messages on the matt

"If Thailand wishes really to have a ceasefire at the border, why should they hesitate to receive Indonesian observers," Hor Namhong told reporters.

"Every time there's an armed clash, they always accuse Cambodia of starting the fighting. In such a case, why don't they accept the role of Indonesia as mediator?" he asked.

Hor Namhong was in Jakarta together with his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya for an Asean-Japan meeting on the relief response to the tsunami.

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to the peace plan proposed by Indonesia to have observers assess the situation and monitor the ceasefire after a border skirmish at Preah Vihear in February.

Phnom Penh expressed its readiness to accept the observers but the Thai military is reluctant to allow them in, saying the area was too dangerous and having observers could be considered an infringement of Thai sovereignty by foreigners.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit has failed in several attempts to convince the military to honour what Thailand has already agreed with Cambodia and Indonesia.

The Thai military initially said they would discuss the observation "modality" proposed by Indonesia with Cambodia in the General Border Commission (GBC) first. But as Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa proposed the GBC meeting be held in Bogor on Thursday and Friday last week, Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who co-chairs the GBC, said he won't attend the meeting.

Hor Namhong said Thailand has sent very confused signals all the time over the deal to settle the border dispute.

"Frankly speaking, it's really difficult to deal with them," he said. "The government and the foreign minister say one thing while the military says another thing.

"We don't know who we can trust, who to deal with. We don't know who really has the right to negotiate.

"We have to respect the Asean chair's role in the negotiation. Indonesia as a chair has received the mandate from the UN Security Council," he said.

Kasit informed Indonesia in writing on Friday that from now on he was the person who would discuss and make an agreement with Jakarta on the terms of reference (TOR) for the observers.

It was not necessary to discuss the TOR with Cambodia in the GBC, he said.

Kasit was scheduled to meet with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty yesterday to discuss the TOR. But as of press time, the outcome of the meeting was not disclosed.

"I will discuss the TOR with Indonesia and bring some details to consult with the military again on the location where we should allow the observers in," Kasit told reporters in Jakarta.

-- The Nation 2011-04-10

[Soutpeel]

"Phnom Penh expressed its readiness to accept the observers but the Thai military is reluctant to allow them in, saying the area was too dangerous and having observers could be considered an infringement of Thai sovereignty by foreigners".....

There are only two parties in this dispute, one of the parties has already accepted observers and the other will not...so how is this dangerous, unless of course the "danger" comes from the party who will not accept the observers....

Nice to see the old nationalist rhetoric card being played....how does having neutral observers on location constitute an infringement of Thai sovereignty by foreigners ?....they observers are not an invading force...

To me this smells of the Thai military trying to cover comething up and again shows the in-sincerity of Thailand wanting to resolve this dispute, they should be welcoming neutral observers with open arms

[Asa]

So, who is the boss when the minister said he will consult with the military (not the cabinet, and not the parliament).

If the military have their choice, it would be downtown Bangkok for the Indonesian observer team.

[kurnell]

Thais have always got plenty to hide, even though most people know what goes on anyway.

[ChiangMaiFun]

Thais have always got plenty to hide, even though most people know what goes on anyway.

Shhhhh can't speak about that!

[pisico]

So, who is the boss when the minister said he will consult with the military (not the cabinet, and not the parliament).

If the military have their choice, it would be downtown Bangkok for the Indonesian observer team.

"Now, let me see 99... who or what made possible for this administration to be in power?"

"Hum, the Indonesian government?"

"Looks like Chaos' work Max, doesn't it?"

[Oberkommando]

To me this smells of the Thai military trying to cover comething up and again shows the in-sincerity of Thailand wanting to resolve this dispute, they should be welcoming neutral observers with open arms

History is repeating itself.

The Thai military occupied the temple illegally in 1956 until they were removed by the UN and an international court of justice ruling.

From what it looks to me they have tried to attempt to do that again and have been unsuccessful and are now trying to cover that up.

[SomTumTiger]

To me this smells of the Thai military trying to cover comething up and again shows the in-sincerity of Thailand wanting to resolve this dispute, they should be welcoming neutral observers with open arms

History is repeating itself.

The Thai military occupied the temple illegally in 1956 until they were removed by the UN and an international court of justice ruling.

From what it looks to me they have tried to attempt to do that again and have been unsuccessful and are now trying to cover that up.

The Third Reich has spoken. They would certainly know about seizing territory that doesn't belong to them, wouldn't they.

[Oberkommando]

The Third Reich has spoken. They would certainly know about seizing territory that doesn't belong to them, wouldn't they.

Ah, Godwin's Law.

[SomTumTiger]

The Third Reich has spoken. They would certainly know about seizing territory that doesn't belong to them, wouldn't they.

Ah, Godwin's Law.

From the man using a nazi military rank as his id - rofl

[Lite Beer]

PM reaffirms Indonesian observers cannot be stationed at Thai-Cambodian disputed area

BANGKOK, April 10 -- Reiterating that the disputed 4.6 square-kilometre near the ancient Preah Vihear temple belongs to Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday that Indonesian observers cannot be stationed there.

His stance was made after Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong expressed disappointment in Jakarta on Saturday over the Bangkok government’s objection allowing Indonesian observers to be sent to the disputed area, saying that Thailand should respect Indonesia’s role in the negotiations as Jakarta had received the UN Security Council’s support.

Thailand and Cambodia still do not share a similar view on allowing Indonesian observers to be posted at the disputed zone as the latter wants Indonesia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to act as mediator in the dispute while Thailand is prepared to offer “facilities so that negotiations could continue,” Mr Abhisit said.

He said “unarmed Indonesian observers could be dispatched” but more talks are needed on where they would be stationed.

"Both countries earlier agreed that 15 Indonesian observers will be manned in Thailand and another 15 on the Cambodian side, but new talks should be held if Cambodia wants the observers stationed in the 4.6 sq km disputed area which belongs to Thailand and Indonesia has to also reconsider the issue,” asserted the Thai premier.

Expressing his optimism that the dispute could be settled by the two neighbouring countries, Mr Abhisit said the Thai government is also “sincere” in solving the long-standing problem.

The two-day talks, which were held in Bogor, Indonesia, ended last Friday and made clear that both Thailand and Cambodia wanted aerial photos to be taken at the disputed border to solve the dispute, Mr Abhisit said.

The Thai foreign affairs ministry has said that both sides agreed at the Bogor meeting that a third party company would be hired to take the aerial photos.

Initially, a Japanese, Australian or Danish firm would be selected to do the job while both Thailand and Cambodia would make a decision which firm has the most appropriate technology, the ministry said.

Clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers occur around Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding areas sporadically.

The International Court of Justice in 1962 ruled that the 11th century temple belonged to Phnom Penh. In 2008, UNESCO named it a World Heritage site after Cambodia applied for the status. The country submitted a management plan for the temple last year to UNESCO’s World Heritage Commission, which has deferred a decision until their meeting in Bahrain this coming June. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-04-10

[Lite Beer]

Cambodian FM: expresses disappointment over Thailand's stance

By Sodchuen Limkriangkrai

JAKARTA, 10 April 2011 (NNT) - Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Num Hong said he was disappointed by the Thai government’s refusal to allow Indonesian observers to enter the disputed area around the Phra Viharn Temple, adding that the Thai government should respect Indonesian role in the negotiation

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Num Hong said he was disappointed that Thailand refused to let Indonesian observers into the disputed area along the Thai-Cambodia border. According to him, if Thailand truly wished to end this conflict there should not be any reason why the Indonesian observers would be barred from entering the area.

Mr. Hor Num Hong went on to say that every time there was a clash, Thailand always accused Cambodia of starting the fight, and that If the accusations were true, why should Thailand not accept Indonesia as a mediator.

Given Thailand’s actions this time, he can no longer be optimistic towards the country’s stance, and that it will be difficult for the two neighboring countries to deal with each other in the future, said the Cambodian Foreign Minister.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said border conflicts were a very complicated issue which could not be solved in one meeting, and not unilaterally, but through bilateral co-operation.

-- NNT 2022-04-10

[Steely Dan]

The true Thai stance won't be known until after the election, however the Military unilaterally stating their opposition to neutral observers show that any future government will have limited room to manouvre. I suspect having disagreed with the ICJ decision Thailand always intended to operate a scorched earth policy if Cambodia sought any financial advantage from the temple, hence no ceasefire, no obeservers and no tourists.

[CosmicSurfer]

Children.... Take your balls and go home!!!

Politically this place is Useless.... Corrupt, Untrustworthy, and Undemocratic.. And I don't care what color your shirt is!

Until they deal with the cultural roots of their problems they will NEVER grow up and be worthy of any respect at all!

CS

[bangkokeddy]

The Third Reich has spoken. They would certainly know about seizing territory that doesn't belong to them, wouldn't they.

Ah, Godwin's Law.

From the man using a nazi military rank as his id - rofl

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_I

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberkommando