Cambodian response upsets govt

Bangkokpost

Friday December 05, 2008

THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL

Thailand is disappointed with Cambodia's response to its protest over an incident in which two Thai military rangers stepped on landmines last October.

Virachai Plasai, director-general of the Treaties and Legal Affairs Department at the Foreign Ministry, said Thailand had demanded Cambodia clarify the incident in which Thailand believes mines were newly planted near the Thai-Cambodian border.

Cambodia did not reply directly until two days before the Mine Ban Convention meeting in Geneva last month.

"Cambodia chose to circulate its response to all state parties and finally sent us a formal reply late on Nov 21 [before the meeting on Nov 24-28].

"Thailand was disappointed with its reply in which it tried to evade the crux of the matter," said Mr Virachai.

He said the issue was not about which mines were in whose lands. The real point was that under the Ottawa Mine Convention, both countries had agreed not to plant any new mines anywhere in the world.

Thailand and Cambodia still have unsettled border issues, and are in the process of negotiating demarcation lines.

On Oct 6, two Thai military rangers lost their legs when they stepped on landmines while on routine patrol in a "mine-free zone" inside Thai territory.

The Cambodian side said it started investigating on Oct 20.

Foreign Ministry deputy permanent secretary Norachit Singhaseni raised the issue during a meeting of state parties to the Mine Ban Convention.

The Swiss government, which hosted the meeting, offered to set up a fact-finding committee to help resolve the problem but the Cambodian side refused the offer, saying it wanted to investigate further.

The committee would comprise Thailand, Cambodia, a third country and non-governmental organisations.

"We told the panel that the unilateral investigation might be inappropriate but for our friendship's sake, we can wait for the results which should not have to take too long," said Mr Virachai.

Thailand was tackling the issue step by step through bilateral negotiations but if the issue is not adequately clarified, the government might raise the issue with the United Nations.