5/05/2011
Pradit Ruangdit, Thanida Tansubhapol & Manop Thip-Osod
Bangkok Post
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva indicated yesterday he had no intention of holding talks on the border clashes with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Asean Summit in Indonesia.
“Don’t forget that I met Hun Sen four times late last year, and then in February clashes erupted,” Mr Abhisit said.
“And I insist that each clash is not an accident. It is an intention to internationalise the issue.”
The clashes are part of Cambodia’s strategy in dealing with territorial disputes, according to the premier.
He also doubted Cambodia’s claim that the fighting continued because in part it could not control its troops.
Mr Abhisit said Thailand was making preparations to face Cambodia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has asked Thailand and Cambodia to give statements on May 30-31.
Cambodia has asked the court to interpret its 1962 verdict on the Preah Vihear temple and issue an urgent ruling, including an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Thai troops from the land surrounding the temple and a ban on Thai military activity in the area.
In the 1962 verdict, the court said: “Thailand is under an obligation to withdraw any military or police forces, or other guards or keepers, stationed by her at the temple, or in its vicinity on Cambodian territory.”
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