Wednesday, 17 September 2008

No need to inflame border dispute

By The Nation
Published on September 18, 2008

Cambodia should not exploit opportunities when Thailand is in political trouble. An example is its claim to sovereignty over Khmer temples along the disputed border. Such a move could jeopardise already fragile diplomatic relations.

Of course, Phnom Penh has the right to claim Hindu temples along the boundary but the two countries need to clearly define the border. New techniques for border demarcation could help, but this will not happen unless the two countries have good relations.

The recent claim on the temple of Ta Kwai is not timely, since Thailand is not ready to negotiate over the complicated issue of borderlines due to domestic difficulties. Moreover, the two countries have not yet resolved the previous dispute over the Khmer sanctuaries of Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom. Bringing Ta Kwai into the equation only puts mounting pressure on relations.

The dispute over the temples must not be settled by military means. Only diplomatic negotiations can resolve the problem.

As Phnom Penh registers its fresh claim, Thailand can do nothing but register an official protest for the record, pending further talks. The Foreign Ministry's permanent secretary Virasakdi Futrakul summoned Cambodia's ambassador Ung Sean on Tuesday to take an aide-memoire of the protest. The memoire said some 70 Cambodian soldiers had intruded upon the temple on September 6. It was the second intrusion since 30 Cambodian troops were seen at the temple between August 3 and 6.

"These acts constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Thailand," the memoire said.

Reaction from Phnom Penh made the problem more complicated. Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said his government was preparing to appeal to a "third international party" to intervene.

The dispute must be solved bilaterally in the spirit of good Asean neighbourliness. The Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission is the proper mechanism to handle the issue. It might take time but it could end the border disputes peacefully and fairly.

No comments: