Guns vs diplomacy at Preah Vihear
July 22, 2008
In a rather unfamiliar move for the government, Cambodia today asked the UN for help in dealing with a recalcitrant Thailand.
Cambodia has asked the United Nations Security Council for an emergency meeting to resolve a military stand-off with Thailand over an ancient temple on their border.
Phnom Penh’s appeal to the world body came after bilateral talks on Monday failed to end the week-long border fracas, which regional neighbors fear could turn violent.
“In order to avoid armed confrontation, the Royal Government of Cambodia has decided to request an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to find a solution to the problem in accordance with international laws,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
If Thailand has thus far pilloried the idea of ASEAN intervention, the thought of Security Council involvement must leave Thai officials reaching for the hemlock.
There is a reason for that. The treaty of 1907, which Thailand ratified, is the legal basis for the Thai-Cambodia border. No matter how you try to massage it, Thailand is clearly in violation of that treaty. Under the scrutiny of independent third parties, it will become impossible for Thailand to deny that reality — which is why Thailand would really rather no one look too closely.
By making its case to the larger community, it is clear that Cambodia wants to usher this fact center stage. By making its case to the UN Security Council, it is clear that Cambodia wants to push Thailand not just out of Preah Vihear, but all the way back to the 1907 line.
Will such a plan work? Who knows? But Cambodia, with legal precedence and 100 years of history behind it, definitely has the upper hand.
July 22, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Let’s just hope that Cambodia will stand its ground.
July 23, 2008 at 11:08 am
Cambodian people are peace-loving and just want to get just for our motherland and heritage. The more just that Thais should act as human being is not only to recognize the border line of French – Siamese Treaty, 1904 and 1907, but to return the 12 provinces that Thai took from Cambodia.
July 23, 2008 at 1:50 pm
i think for the future of our children on both side thai and khmer must find a solution to solve the problem with diplomacy.I dont think that the Ancient Spirit of the prear vihear temple need more violence in this already chaotic world.People of south east asia need to help each other not to kill and destroy.History put you to a test.Will you use violence again to destroy the life of innocent people who want just to live in peace?On both side of the border khmer and thai need each other.I think you must built a real relationship and educate people to respect one another about the history and the culture of khmer people.There is generous people everywhere in the world. peace
July 24, 2008 at 12:06 am
[...] The actual documents settling this, along with some straight talk on the matter, can be found via DetailsAreSketchy’s post here. As DAS put it: If Thailand has thus far pilloried the idea of ASEAN intervention, the thought of [...]