The Thai-Cambodian conflict over the disputed territory around the Preah Vihear Temple has evolved from border clashes to an issue on the international stage. Representatives of the two countries first met in Paris under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) mediation before defending their stand in the International Court of Justice in The Hague in the Netherlands.
The two meetings between Thai and Cambodian representatives in Paris have failed. Thailand has asked Cambodia to postpone submitting its management plan for the Preah Vihear Temple until the border demarcation is completed. Cambodia, however, has insisted on having the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee consider the plan during its meeting in Paris from June 19 to 29.
Promoting Unity
Thailand can claim a certain degree of success in the UNESCO meeting as the UNESCO director has agreed to its proposed postponement of the deliberation of the Preah Vihear management plan out of concern that it could worsen the conflict between the two countries. The UNESCO chief has also observed that the World Heritage Committee should serve to promote unity rather than be a tool for conflict.
At the World Court, Cambodia has sought a legal interpretation on the court's 1962 ruling that the Preah Vihear Temple is in Cambodia's territory without specifying to which country its vicinity belongs, the contentious point that has become the cause of conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Phnom Penh has asked the court to give its verdict on this point and issue an injunction requiring Thailand to immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from the vicinity of the temple.
Thailand has argued that the World Court has no jurisdiction over the Preah Vihear conflict as there is a joint Thai-Cambodian border commission to mediate the issue besides overseeing the border demarcation. The point here is whether the World Court tribunal will agree with Thailand or Cambodia or will order withdrawal of Thai troops from the Preah Vihear Temple's vicinity.
Bilateral Talks
The Thai Government has insisted on not allowing the Thai-Cambodian conflict to become an international issue but rather having it settled via bilateral talks. Anyhow, the dispute has been brought before the UNSC, the World Heritage Committee and UNESCO, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and then the World Court once again after it ruled on the case 50 years ago.
While the Preah Vihear conflict is likely to drag on, prime concern should go to Thai villagers living along the border in several northeastern provinces. They are living in fear of a possible war after having had to dodge flying bullets and bombs and being unable to make their living. They have become 'refugees' on their own land, displaced by the war that academics said was not caused by them but by some people in the capital for their own political gain.
The two meetings between Thai and Cambodian representatives in Paris have failed. Thailand has asked Cambodia to postpone submitting its management plan for the Preah Vihear Temple until the border demarcation is completed. Cambodia, however, has insisted on having the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee consider the plan during its meeting in Paris from June 19 to 29.
Promoting Unity
Thailand can claim a certain degree of success in the UNESCO meeting as the UNESCO director has agreed to its proposed postponement of the deliberation of the Preah Vihear management plan out of concern that it could worsen the conflict between the two countries. The UNESCO chief has also observed that the World Heritage Committee should serve to promote unity rather than be a tool for conflict.
At the World Court, Cambodia has sought a legal interpretation on the court's 1962 ruling that the Preah Vihear Temple is in Cambodia's territory without specifying to which country its vicinity belongs, the contentious point that has become the cause of conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Phnom Penh has asked the court to give its verdict on this point and issue an injunction requiring Thailand to immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from the vicinity of the temple.
Thailand has argued that the World Court has no jurisdiction over the Preah Vihear conflict as there is a joint Thai-Cambodian border commission to mediate the issue besides overseeing the border demarcation. The point here is whether the World Court tribunal will agree with Thailand or Cambodia or will order withdrawal of Thai troops from the Preah Vihear Temple's vicinity.
Bilateral Talks
The Thai Government has insisted on not allowing the Thai-Cambodian conflict to become an international issue but rather having it settled via bilateral talks. Anyhow, the dispute has been brought before the UNSC, the World Heritage Committee and UNESCO, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and then the World Court once again after it ruled on the case 50 years ago.
While the Preah Vihear conflict is likely to drag on, prime concern should go to Thai villagers living along the border in several northeastern provinces. They are living in fear of a possible war after having had to dodge flying bullets and bombs and being unable to make their living. They have become 'refugees' on their own land, displaced by the war that academics said was not caused by them but by some people in the capital for their own political gain.
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