Hun Sen visit helps Thai land case - PM

via CAAI News Media

Khmer leader's actions support border claims

Published: 8/02/2010

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's border visit will help Thailand press its case for ownership of disputed areas along the border, Abhisit Vejjajiva says.

Hun Sen's remarks and actions during his three-day tour would be sent to Unesco's World Heritage Committee to back Thailand's claim to the disputed land, the prime minister said yesterday.

The area adjacent to Preah Vihear temple belongs to Thailand, he said. Hun Sen had tacitly acknowledged it was not Cambodian property, which helped Thailand's case.

Mr Abhisit also insisted that Thai troops would not be withdrawn from the Ta Muan Thom temple in Surin during Hun Sen's visit today as requested by the Cambodia premier.

Hun Sen has been touring the Thai-Cambodia border, including disputed areas.

The World Heritage Committee meets in the middle of this year to consider Cambodia's application to list Preah Vihear temple and the adjacent areas claimed by both countries as a World Heritage site.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the 11th-century Hindu temple belongs to Cambodia, but Thailand insists a 4.6 sq km tract of scrub near the temple is Thai territory.

Demarcation of the border area remains unresolved and sporadic clashes have occurred between troops from the two countries.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn said the Cambodian prime minister had accepted Thailand's demand to send its representatives to join him during his visit to the disputed areas.

He said Hun Sen had followed international principle and agreements on disputed areas, whereby each side would send its representatives to join the other side whenever it enters a disputed area.

"This mean Cambodia accepts that the area surrounding Preah Vihear does not belong to Cambodia," Mr Panitan said.

Hun Sen visits Ta Muen Thom temple today. Mr Abhisit said Thai authorities would greet him there because it is Thai territory.

He turned down Hun Sen's demand that Thai troops withdraw from the area for his visit.

Mr Abhisit said Hun Sen's tour of the border was motivated by political interests in Cambodia and the World Heritage decision on Preah Vihear temple.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry yesterday welcomed Hun Sen and confirmed that his visit would not affect legal claims over Thai territory.

"The government has no objections if the Cambodian prime minister wishes to enter Thai territory," it said in a statement.

"However, the Cambodian side must first inform and request prior permission from the government."

Thailand will then send a representative to welcome him.

"The visit would not have any effect in any way on the legal claims made by Thailand over Thai territory. Such claims remain valid and Thailand still fully retains all her rights applicable under international law," the statement said.Hun Sen was near the Chong Bok border pass in Ubon Ratchathani yesterday but had his subordinates meet Thai authorities at the border.

The Cambodian prime minister was at the bottom of the mountain which forms the border between Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. He was there to open a road which is part of a project to develop the Emerald Triangle. The road stretches from the heart of Chom Krasan district in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province.

At the border, Viroj Meekaew, deputy governor of Ubon Ratchathani, Itthiporn Boonprakong, deputy director-general of the Foreign Affairs Ministry's Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, and Maj Gen Chavalit Choonprasarn, commander of the Suranaree Task Force, met the Cambodian delegation including Lt Gen Sor Thavy, deputy governor of Preah Vihear province, and Lt Gen Sarai Duek, the commander of Cambodia's 3rd supportive division.

In Surin, soldiers of both sides agreed yesterday they would remain in their camps when Hun Sen arrives near Ta Muen Thom temple today.

Col Adul Boonthamcharoen, commander of the 26th pararanger military regiment from the Suranaree Task Force, met Veera Somkwamkid, a leader of the anti-Thaksin Shinawatra People's Alliance for Democracy, and asked his group not to cause trouble today during Hun Sen's visit. Mr Veera led about 150 protesters to Ta Muan Thom temple.

The PAD opposes Hun Sen's visit.