via Khmer NZ
Published: 9/08/2010
Online news: Politics
The Foreign Ministry will send a letter to the United Nations General Assembly and UN Security Council clarifying Thailand's position on Preah Vihear temple, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Monday.
Mr Panitan said the letter of explanation was necessary after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday sent two letters - to General Assembly president Ali Abdussalam and Security Council president Vitaly Churkin - saying that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had threatened to cancel the 2000 memorandum of understanding between the two countries and to use military force against Cambodia to settle the border dispute.
In his letters, the Cambodian premier said, "By seriously threatening to use military force against Cambodia to settle the problem of the border, Thailand flagrantly violates Article 2.3 and 2.4 of the UN Charter."
Mr Panitan said the Foreign Ministry was meeting with international law experts and would explain to the UN that Thailand had never changed its position, of wanting to cooperate with its neighbour and share common interests.
He said letter would explain to the UN that Thailand had not violated the UN Charter as alleged, that Thai soil has been encroached on, and that Thailand adheres to the principle of peaceful co-existence and the law, which has been recognised.
Deputy Prime Minister overseeing security Suthep Thaugsuban also affirmed that Thai soldiers were not encroaching on Cambodian territory as claimed by Phnom Penh.
"I ask Thai people to stay calm because we [the government] want to live peacefully with our neighbours. The Thai army certainly did not intrude into Cambodian territory but they are prepared to protect the country's sovereignty," Mr Suthep said.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the Thai-Cambodian border situation was still normal and there was no use of force.
"If Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gives out the order, the army is ready. There is nothing going on at the border since the decision lies with the government," Gen Prawit said.
He said Prime Minister Hun Sen's accusation against Thailand would not create more tension in the disputed border area.
"We are a big country and we should not be worried about the situation," the minister said.
Mr Abhisit on Sunday participated in a live telecast debate with members of the Thai Patriots Network about the disputed 4.6 square kilometre area surrounding Preah Vihear temple.
PM Abhisit (left) shook hands with PM Hun Sen during the Mekong River Commission summit in Hua Hin in April.
He agreed with the network members that the zone in dispute belonged to Thailand and Cambodia had encroached upon Thai soil.
Thailand clams the disputed area is part of Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, while Cambodia says it is in its Preah Vihear province.
Mr Abhisit told members of the network that the government would use both diplomatic and military measures to deal with the encroachment, prompting Hun Sen to send his letters to the UN.
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