Thailand Satisfied With World Court Ruling On Thai-Cambodian Border

[webfact]

Thailand satisfied with World Court ruling on Thai-Cambodian border

BANGKOK, July 19 -- Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya said Monday he was satisfied with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court rulings as they apply to both Thailand and Cambodia, requiring that both countries withdraw troops from the disputed border area near Preah Vihear Temple.

Present at the ICJ, the highest UN court, in The Hague, the Netherlands to hear the World Court decision on the Cambodian border issues, he told a Bangkok-based media via teleconference that the provisional measures did not focus on one side but applied to both countries.

The Thai minister said that Thailand had demanded the Cambodia to withdraw its troops from Preah Vihear and hold bilateral talks under the existing cooperation frameworks. Mr Kasit said the court's order took a direction similar to Bangkok's stance.

"This is not who will get more benefit from the ruling, but Thailand has always wanted talks between both sides to find a joint solution," he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been informed about the rulings, said Mr Kasit, adding that the premier would meet with Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan regarding the Thai- Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting.

French news agency Agence-France-Presse (AFP) reported Monday that the UN court ordered both Thailand and Cambodia to immediately withdraw their troops from the disputed area around Preah Vihear temple following the complaint by Phnom Penh filed in April seeking provisional measures on the withdrawal of Thai troops and the ban on Thai military activities from the area.

The court turned down Cambodia's demand for a unilateral Thai pullback, and Thailand's demand for Cambodia's request to be removed from the court's consideration was unanimously rejected.

Cambodia asked the court to clarify and interpret its ruling on Preah Vihear temple in 1962, in which the court ruled the ancient Hindu temple belonged to Cambodia but did not define the boundaries in the area surrounding the structure.

"Both parties must immediately withdraw their military personnel now present in the provisional demilitarised zone and refrain from any military presence within that zone," AFP quoted World Court President Judge Hisashi Owada who read the order at The Hague.

The court ordered Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their troops from the newly defined demilitarised zone in a disputed portion of their border around the ancient temple.

"...there is an urgent need for the presence of all armed forces to be temporarily excluded from the provisional demilitarised zone around the area of the temple," the judge said.

The French news agency reported that the ICJ also ordered Thailand not to obstruct Cambodia's free access to the Preah Vihear complex or prevent Cambodia from taking fresh supplies to its non-military personnel there, while urging both countries to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to reach an agreement to allow the regional bloc's observers to enter the disputed zone.

The two countries were also ordered to revive their stalled talks to resolve the conflicts.

Both sides must report development to the court until a decision on Cambodia's main request for interpretation of the 1962 order is finalized, which is expected to take the court several months.

Meanwhile, Thai Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan commented after the ICJ read its decision that the army must discuss the matter with the foreign ministry first and is ready to follow its guidances.

When asked whether he will discuss the ruling with his Cambodian counterpart, Gen Prawit said he is ready to hold talks if asked by Cambodia.

"But I understand that Cambodia may wait after the new Thai government is formed," said Gen Prawit.

Army Region 2 commander Lt Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn, who oversees the disputed border area, said troop withdrawal could not be done in the next few days as there are various levels of working steps.

Gen Thawatchai explained that a troop withdrawal cannot proceed immediately as it will take time for both Thailand and Cambodia.

"For Thailand, we must also wait for the formation of the new government and its direction regarding the case", the commander said, noting that any command is ordered step by step from the government to the army chief, who then instructs the operational level.

Following reports on the latest mobilisation of heavy arms by Cambodian troops near the Thai border, Gen Thawatchai urged the Thai public not to worry about the matter as it was normal practice of Cambodian troops and the army is always on alert to protect the kingdom’s sovereignty. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-07-19

Related topic:

UN court orders Thai and Cambodian troop withdrawal

[webfact]

US hopes Thai-Cambodia rift solved peacefully

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2011 (AFP) - The United States renewed its call Monday for Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their border rift peacefully after the UN's highest court ordered the countries to pull troops from a disputed area.

"The United States has consistently called upon both sides to continue dialogue and exercise maximum restraint in order to peacefully resolve their disputes and strengthen regional stability," State Department spokeswoman Heide Bronke Fulton told AFP.

She voiced support for efforts by Indonesia, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to mediate between the two members of the bloc.

The Hague-based International Court of Justice asked both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw military personnel immediately from a provisional demilitarized zone around the 900-year-old Khmer temple of Preah Vihear.

The area was the scene of clashes in February and again in April that left a total of 28 people dead and prompted 85,000 civilians to flee.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-07-19

[webfact]

Foreign Minister Satisfied with Court's Ruling

Thailand's outgoing Foreign Minister is satisfied with the World Court’s decision in the Preah Vihear Temple case yesterday.

Yesterday, the president of the International Court of Justice, Judge Hisashi Owada read the court's deliberations on Preah Vihear Temple issue.

The court ordered both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from the disputed area around the ancient Hindu temple in order to deter military confrontation along the border.

After an official hearing at The Hague, interim Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya gave an interview in which he said that he is satisfied with the Court’s ruling, as it did not comply Cambodia’s request that Thailand unilaterally refrain from having any military presence within the zone.

Meanwhile, Australian National University Scholar and geographer, Nicolas Ferelli said that the Court would take a long time to demarcate the disputed land due to the fact that both Thailand and Cambodia submitted evidence that is hard to prove.

At the same time, US Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hedley Fulton urged both Thailand and Cambodia to resolve the conflict peacefully in order to maintain regional stability.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-19

[moe666]

Who is going to enforce the withdrawal

[webfact]

Thailand ready to talk with Cambodia on troop withdrawals

BANGKOK, 19 July 2011 (NNT) – The Thai Ministry of Defence has voiced its readiness to talk with the Cambodian counterpart upon the verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering troops of both sides to withdraw from the disputed Preah Vihear area.

Responding to the recent ICJ’s temporary injunction on the 4.6-square-kilometer disputed zone around the Preah Vihear Temple, Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan stated that his ministry has to firstly discuss the next stage of operations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, the minister said troops will continue their stations for the time being to secure the border without additional reinforcements, and that should not be a problem.

Asked whether the ministry needs to discuss with the Cambodian side on timeframe and procedure for troop withdrawals, General Prawit replied that he is ready for the talk if Phnom Penh signaled the date of meeting.

The minister nonetheless believed that the neighbouring country seems rather look forward to talking with the new government. He stressed that troop withdrawals of the two countries must be made in parallel.

-- NNT 2011-07-19

[webfact]

Thai PM chair meeting to consider World Court's rulings

BANGKOK, July 19 -- Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday will chair a meeting of security concerned agencies to discuss the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court rulings on the Thai-Cambodian border disputes.

Mr Abhisit had invited representatives of security-concerned agencies including the armed forces, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security Council, the secretary-general of the Council of State and the secretariat of the Cabinet to the meeting.

It was expected that the meeting would consider the provisional measures issued by the ICJ, the highest UN court, focusing on the possible impact against Thai domestic law.

The UN court on Monday turned down Cambodia's demand for a unilateral Thai pullback, and Thailand's demand for Cambodia's request to be removed from the court's consideration was unanimously rejected.

The World Court ordered Thailand and Cambodia to immediately withdraw all military personnel currently present in the provisional demilitarized zone, as defined by the Court, and to refrain from any military presence within that zone and from any armed activity directed at it.

Thailand was ordered not obstruct Cambodia’s free access to the temple, or to prevent it from providing fresh supplies to its non-military personnel.

According to the court's decision, Thailand and Cambodia must continue their cooperation within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and, in particular, allow observers appointed by that organization to have access to the provisional demilitarised zone.

Thailand and Cambodia must refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court nor make it more difficult to resolve. The two countries were also ordered to revive their stalled talks to resolve the conflicts.

In the meantime, Thailand and Cambodia must each inform the Court as to its compliance with the provisional measures until a decision on Cambodia's main request for interpretation of the 1962 order is finalised, which is expected to take the court several months.

Cambodia asked the court to clarify and interpret its ruling on Preah Vihear temple in 1962, in which the court ruled the ancient Hindu temple belonged to Cambodia but did not define the boundaries in the area surrounding the structure.

The Thai Foreign Ministry stated that the Court’s order on provisional measures and the provisional demilitarised zone would not prejudice the Court’s judgment to be made concerning Cambodia’s request for the interpretation of the 1962 Judgment regarding the Preah Vihear temple and would not affect Thailand’s territory sovereignty and integrity.

In related development, the French news agency Agence-France-Presse (AFP) reported that the United States had renewed its call for Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their border rift peacefully after the UN's highest court ordered the countries to pull troops from the disputed area.

It quoted US State Department spokeswoman Heide Bronke Fulton as saying that "the United States has consistently called upon both sides to continue dialogue and exercise maximum restraint in order to peacefully resolve their disputes and strengthen regional stability."

The United States also voiced support for the efforts by Indonesia, current chair of ASEAN, to mediate between the two members of the bloc. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-07-19

[slapout]

First response "we will comply with the court ruling", we will consult with the foreign ministry, we will pull troops in conjunction with withdrawal of Cambodian troops, maybe we should wait for the new government to hold talks.

The foreign ministry, the defense ministry, are making noise, why not ask for input from the temple monks, local residence, businesses involved and then hold a vote.

Bring in the Germans as moderators, they know how to bring attention to the inaction of those who refuse to take responsibility for the decree of the courts.

[webfact]

PM: Withdrawal of Troops Not a Problem

The prime minister says the World Court’s decision to have both Thai and Cambodian troops pull out of the area around Phreah Vihear Temple will not put Thailand at a disadvantage.

He said that Thailand and Cambodia would turn to the Joint Boundary Commission, or JBC, to facilitate military withdrawal from disputed area.

Interim PM Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the International Court of Justice's verdict on Preah Vihear Temple yesterday would not have a binding effect on Thailand's sovereignty as it is just a provisional, temporary measure.

He reiterated that the Court did not acquiesce to Cambodia’s requests.

On the other hand, it has ordered both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from Preah Vihear Temple and the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, an indication that the Court would remain impartial.

Abhisit said he would meet with the army chief, defense and foreign ministers, and representatives of the National Security Council and the Council of State today to discuss their next moves.

Meanwhile, he insists that withdrawing Thailand’s troops does not place Thailand at a disadvantage.

During the initial stage of troop withdrawal, Abhisit suggested that military-led General Border Committee, or GBC, is the most appropriate forum to facilitate the withdrawal of both countries.

He added that his government does not have the authority to make any final decisions on the matter as according to the law, it is up to the next government.

He added that the next government must continue to resolve this matter carefully.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-19

[webfact]

Press release:

Foreign Minister satisfied with the Court’s order concerning the provisional demilitarized zone

July 19, 2011

On 18 July 2011, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave an interview to reporters after the International Court of Justice announced its order regarding Cambodia’s request for the indication of provisional measures. Gist as follows:

1. Thailand is satisfied with the Court’s order regarding the indication of provisional measures, pointing out that the Court had not agreed to Cambodia’s request that Thailand unilaterally withdraw its forces from its territory according to the 1:200,000 scale map. Instead, the Court ordered that both countries immediately withdraw their military personnel present in the provisional demilitarized zone. Importantly, Cambodia must withdraw its troops from the Temple of Phra Viharn which has long been Thailand’s position. The Foreign Minister stated that the Court’s order on provisional measures and the provisional demilitarized zone would not prejudice the Court’s judgment to be made concerning Cambodia’s request for the interpretation of the 1962 Judgment regarding the case of the Temple of Phra Viharn and would not affect Thailand’s territory sovereignty and integrity.

2. In addition, the Court ordered that Thailand shall not obstruct Cambodia’s access to the Temple of Phra Viharn or the provision of supplies to its non-military personnel in the Temple. In this regard, the Foreign Minister said that both countries would have to further discuss details on this matter under existing bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), the General Border Committee (GBC), and the Regional Border Committee (RBC). This is consistent with what Thailand has always informed the international community.

3. The Court also ordered that both countries continue the cooperation that they have entered into within ASEAN and, in particular, allow the Indonesian observers to have access to the provisional demilitarized zone. In this regard, the Foreign Minister noted that on 6-7 July 2011, officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Thailand had already visited the Thai-Cambodian border and is in the process of submitting its report to the Indonesian Government.

4. The Foreign Minister stated that the package solution agreed to between the foreign ministers of Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia on 9 May 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia was now superseded by the Court’s order and the establishment of the provisional demilitarized zone. The Court’s order would now be the basis for future endeavours, which is consistent with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s earlier announcement that Cambodia would use the Court’s decision as the basis for resolving problems regarding the boundary and the Temple of Phra Viharn.

5. The Foreign Minister, responding to media enquiries about what steps would be taken, said that the Court’s order would be reported to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Senate Foreign Affairs Committee would also be informed. Further details on the implementation of the Court’s order would be further discussed between the relevant security agencies concerned, such as the Ministry of Defence, National Security Council and National Intelligence Agency.

Furthermore, the Foreign Minister said that Thailand and Cambodia would need to discuss further details under the framework of the GBC as Thailand has always proposed. The Foreign Minister has also instructed the Foreign Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary to hold preliminary discussions on the Court’s order with the Indonesian Foreign Minister during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bali, Indonesia.

6. The Foreign Minister also responded to questions on the issue of the sketch-map used by the Court to indicate the provisional demilitarized zone, that the co-ordinates delimiting the zone would have to be plotted on the map of the area so as to ensure the proper implementation of the Court’s order.

7. Thailand respects the decision of the Court, which is part of the United Nations. As a member of the United Nations, Thailand would honour its obligations under the United Nations’ Charter. Towards this end, Thailand would discuss further details with both Cambodia and Indonesia.

Source: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2642.php?id=40200

-- MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Kingdom of Thailand 2011-07-19

[webfact]

PM: No Immediate Withdrawal of Troops; Talks with Cambodia Must Resume First

Acting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has revealed that Thailand will not immediately withdraw troops from its disputed land with Cambodia following yesterday's ICJ statement. Abhisit said that Thailand's Foreign Affairs and Defense ministries will have to hold talks with their Cambodian counterparts first in order to establish some type of groundwork for the withdrawal of both armies from the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-19

[Thaddeus]

PM: No Immediate Withdrawal of Troops; Talks with Cambodia Must Resume First

Acting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has revealed that Thailand will not immediately withdraw troops from its disputed land with Cambodia following yesterday's ICJ statement. Abhisit said that Thailand's Foreign Affairs and Defense ministries will have to hold talks with their Cambodian counterparts first in order to establish some type of groundwork for the withdrawal of both armies from the area.

Basically ........ the UN is not my father either.

[webfact]

Foreign Ministry Denies Community Withdrawal Along Border

The Foreign Ministry reiterates that the communities along the Thai-Cambodian border areas do not have to relocate.

Information Department Deputy Director under Foreign Ministry Jessada Katawetin, said that the World Court’s ruling ordered both Thai and Cambodian troops be withdrawn from the Preah Vihear Temple and surrounding areas.

He reiterated that this verdict does not affect local communities in the area.

On the other hand, outgoing Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, gave an interview in which he said that both military and Cambodian communities must be withdrawn.

Jessada pointed out that Thailand can file a petition with the court demanding that people also be moved out of the area if it can be proved that there are plain clothed military personnel in the Cambodian community living along the border.

He added that the court's order that Thailand not obstruct Cambodia's ability to freely access the Preah Vihear temple is reasonable because the Preah Vihear Temple is under Cambodia's possession according to the 1962 ruling.

He suggests that Thailand and Cambodia should negotiate through practical mechanisms such as the Joint Boundary Committee or General Border Committee to facilitate military withdrawal.

In addition, both countries should cooperate with ASEAN and allow the appointed observers to monitor the withdrawal process.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-19

[webfact]

Abhisit Calls for Meeting over World Court's Verdict on Phreah Vihear Temple

The acting prime minister has called a meeting with the security officials and the Foreign Ministry over the International Court of Justice's order that both Thailand and Cambodia withdraw their troops from the disputed area around the Preah Vihear Temple.

Acting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has called a meeting with military officials, the Foreign Ministry, the National Security Council, the Secretariat of the Cabinet and the Office of the Council of State to discuss what type of legal implications the International Court of Justice's order will have on Thailand.

Deputy Secretary-General to Prime Minister Panitan Wattanayagorn announced that the acting premier is planning to meet with Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha and the Royal Thai Survey Department over the court's order that both Thailand and Cambodia withdraw their troops from the newly established demilitarized zone inside the disputed area around the Preah Vihear Temple before making any official statement.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the Region 2 Army, Colonel Prawit Hukaew has reported that the overall situation along the Thai-Cambodian border has been peaceful and that cross-border trade has resumed as normal.

Regarding the area that was recently designated by the court as a demilitarized zone, Prawit said that the army forces are waiting to hear the results of both countries' consultations while local residents have already been informed of this.

There have been some reports by the Cambodian media that the zone has encroached into Thailand, though the Region 2 Army spokesperson said that he believes that the Thai people will use sound judgment regarding this matter.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-19

[webfact]

Defence and Foreign Ministries to set framework on ICJ's order

By The Nation

The government has assigned Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministries to take charge of mapping out the framework for talks with Cambodia in implementing the International Court of Justice's order on Preah Vihear temple.

The troops withdrawal will take place after the two countries could agree on the implementation of the ICJ's order.

Under The ICJ's order issued on Monday, Thai and Cambodian troops will be pulled out of the disputed vicinity of the Hindu temple and a demilitarised zone will be established.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday chaired the National Security Council meeting on the compliance of the ICJ's order.

Speaking after the two-hour meeting, Abhisit said the two ministries would draw up the framework based on domestic and international laws.

He said he believed the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee should be the best channel for the two countries to implement the ICJ's order. The GBC is being co-chaired by Thai and Cambodian defence ministers.

He said he instructed agencies concerned to check for the repercussions of the ICJ's order. The government would have to ensure its obligations as a member of the United Nations as well as uphold the Consitution, particularly Article 190 related to the framework for international negotiations.

The prime minister said the ICJ's order had no bearing on Thai boundary line and sovereignty. He repeated his earlier remarks that troops withdrawal would proceed only after reaching a bilateral agreement on the matter.

-- The Nation 2011-07-19