EU calls on Thailand to respect the 1962 ICJ verdict

via CAAI

By Khmerization

Source: EU Resolution

The European parliament has called on both Cambodia and Thailand to respect the 1962 verdict of the International Court of Justice, condemned the destruction of the temple structure, the use of cluster bombs and urged both parties to resolve their dispute peacefully.

In a 12-point resolution passed on Thursday 17th February, the EU also condemned the lost of civilian life and injuries caused by the fighting from 4-7 February. It welcomes the decision by the Director-General of UNESCO to send a special envoy on a mission to Cambodia and Thailand and urges both sides in the dispute to cooperate with any UNESCO mission to assess the damage caused to the Preah Vihear temple.

Th EU has also called for a restraint from the use of cluster bombs after Cambodia had accused, and said it had proof, that Thai troops had used cluster bombs against the temple and Cambodian troops, the accusation that was rejected outright by Thailand. The EU "expresses its concern about the alleged use of cluster munitions and calls on both countries to refrain from using such munitions under any circumstances", said the resolution.

The Cambodian government had also accused Thai troops of firing artillery shells into the Preah Vihear temple compound during the fighting causing substantial damages to the temple. structure.

The EU resolution also welcomes the efforts undertaken by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, as ASEAN chair, to facilitate dialogue to obtain a permanent solution to the conflict.

The EU resolution had particularly called on both countries to respect the judgment of the International Court of Justice in 1962, citing that "the International Court of Justice ruled on 15 June 1962 that the temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia". It has called for both countries to abide by this ruling. The EU "calls on both countries to respect the 1962 judgment of the International Court of Justice and to reach a peaceful settlement of the dispute regarding the border area close to the Preah Vihear temple", said the resolution.