Preah Vihear: Pre-emptive steps ahead of ICJ ruling

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Pre-emptive steps ahead of ICJ ruling
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

Cambodian, other embassies to be protected; border officials on alert

BANGKOK: -- The government will step up measures to prevent undesirable incidents occurring in the lead-up to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivering its ruling on land around Preah Vihear temple, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Nuttavudh Photisaro said yesterday.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over the old Hindu temple for a long time. And the court's judgement to interpret the 1962 verdict could stir strong sentiment among people on either side of the border.

"People on both sides might interpret the judgement differently and thus argument could spark anger among them," Nattavudh told The Nation, "Whatever the court's judgement is, we want to maintain good relations and have people live together peacefully."

The planned measures include deployment of security officials to keep law and order at embassies for all countries linked to the case, including Cambodia and states of all 17 judges on the ICJ, he said.

Local authorities and residents along the border would be informed for better understanding about relations between the two countries, he said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra earlier endorsed the plan for a special joint commission with Cambodia co-chaired by Foreign Minster Surapong Tovichakchaikul and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong to maintain orderly between the two countries.

Cambodia will have similar measures to prevent trouble during and after the verdict is read, Nattavudh said. He noted that the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh also should be fully protected.

In order to draw up effective measures, the foreign ministry is seeking to organise a meeting of the joint commission before the ICJ judgement on November 11, he said. But the joint commission could work immediately as it has element from all concerned agencies - political, economic and security clusters, Nattavudh said.

"We need this mechanism as a pre-emptive measure to prevent trouble. It's good if nothing happens after the court's judgement," he said. "Whatever the judgement is, we want to tell the people that business will go on as usual," he said.

A direct hotline between key members of the joint commission would be installed to make sure there is no misunderstanding, he said.

Rumours and social media could play a key role in spreading misunderstanding and social sentiment. So, the authorities have prepared personal equipment to handle public communications via social media, he said.

The public would be fully informed as the foreign ministry would will televise the reading of the verdict live with Thai translation and actual languages from the court in The Hague on the day, he said.

The ICJ ruled in 1962 that the ancient temple at Preah Vihear was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia. Thailand complied but argued that disputed area adjacent to the temple belongs to Thailand. Cambodia asked the court to interpret the 1962 judgement to clarify which country has control over land around the temple.

Thai Agent and Ambassador to the Hague Virachai Plasai anticipated four scenarios of the ICJ verdict. Scenario one, the court might say it will not interpret the 1962 judgement as it is already clear. Two, the court may rule in favour to Cambodia, saying the vicinity of the temple is along the boundary line as indicated by the French map of 1:200000 scale. Three, the court could say Thailand's compliance 50 years ago is proper. Four, the court may clarify some points or legal aspects of the 1962 verdict.


-- The Nation 2013-10-23

[allan michaud]

I like the 4 options at the end. However one thing is clear, Thailand will not accept the result unless they win.

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PM says Thailand & Cambodia will maintain peace & order along shared border

BANGKOK, 23 Oct 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has affirmed that Thailand has fought the Phrear Vihear Temple dispute in all aspects, and that Thailand and Cambodia will try to maintain order and peace along the shared border regardless of the verdict of the World Court.

Ms. Yingluck on Tuesday said the government will use the Thai-Cambodian joint commission to drive talks aimed at fostering peace along the border between the two countries. Security agencies have also been asked to ensure order along the border. Ms. Yingluck emphasizes that the government needs to maintain good relations with other countries and keep collaborations with them ongoing, as Thailand edges closer to the ASEAN Community integration in 2015.

According to Wirachai Phlasai, Thai ambassador to the Hague and leader of the Thai delegation fighting the Phrear Vihear case at the International Court of Justice, there are 4 possible outcomes for the November 11 ruling of the ICJ. These include a ruling that the court has no authority to rule on the case, a ruling in favor of Cambodia's petition, a ruling in favor of Thailand's petition, and a ruling that neither favored the petitions by Thailand or Cambodia.

Mr. Wirachai said the Thai side had been well-prepared when fighting the case, and all evidence submitted to the court will benefit the case proceeding.


-- NNT 2013-10-23

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Border vigilance increased for world court ruling on temple dispute next month
By English News

BANGKOK, Oct 23 – Thai Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said the Thai-Cambodian border will be on special alert next month when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) announces its judgement on the Preah Vihear temple dispute.

He said military forces along the border have been instructed to intensify security and create understanding among the people.

Thailand and Cambodia have been on good terms thanks to successive discussions among officials of the two countries at every level, he said, expressing hope that Thai people would accept the ICJ’s judgement.

The government and the Foreign Ministry are responsible for giving explanations to the Thai public, he said.

The World Court is scheduled to give its verdict to the Preah Vihear dispute on November 11, starting at 4 pm (Thailand local time).

Cambodia petitioned the ICJ for a ruling on the ownership of the region adjacent to the Hindu temple. The ICJ ruled in 1962 that the temple itself belonged to Cambodia but there was no mention of the surrounding area.

The army chief refused to comment on the highly-criticised Amnesty Bill which has passed the first reading in the Lower House and is currently being scrutinised by a House committee.

“I’m not a losing party but I only have to legally fight for military personnel (involved in the 2010 political upheaval). It would be more appropriate to let the losing party comment on this matter,” he said. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-10-23

[siampolee]

One gets the feeling that there are moves afoot to stir up some sort of nationalist xenophobia over this issue no matter what the outcome may be.

Why would this be so one asks?

Option 1 :

It's a fine way to divert attention from bills currently going through Parliament and bills about to be presented in Parliament and bills about to be formulated . We are all well aware there are some controversial issues and contentious matters in all of the aforementioned bills. Any distraction from these bills would indeed smooth their passage through Parliament due to public and political and the military's attention being focused on the I.C.J. verdict

Option 2;

What a wonderful way to impose martial law and arrest government opponents on suspicion of not fully supporting any action that the government may take.

The whole issue at the moment is being hyped up into a non existent problem, the outcome is we presume not known therefore this governmental rhetoric is without cause.

Option 3:

The verdict is not in Thailand's favour, however a political figure from outside Thailand (who has a connection to Hun Sen) rides into town on a somewhat tawdry steed and presents somewhat shabby details and then offers to act as a mediator with Hun Sen to settle the problem so as all sides benefit. Thus it would be case of certain families gaining the benefits? .

Perish the thought it may be a sinister move to consolidate power into dictators and their families and their brown nosing acolytes grubby little hands both inside and outside of Thailand.