ICJ orders troops withdrawn

From left: Thailand’s Ambassador to the Netherlands Virachai Plasai, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, counsel Donald McRae and former ambassador Asda Jayanama are seen in the courtroom on July 18, 2011 in the dispute over the ownership of Preah Vihear temple. (Photo REUTERS)

From right: Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, Deputy Agent Var Kimhong, Secretary of State Long Visalo of Cambodia and their counsel Rodman Bundy are seen in the courtroom on July 18, 2011 in the dispute over the ownership of Preah Vihear temple. (Photo REUTERS)

18/07/2011
Bangkok Post

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said in The Hague, the Netherlands, that he was satisfied with the court’s ruling.

THE HAGUE – The International Court of Justice on Monday voted 11 to 5 to order both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their troops from the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area around the Preah Vihear temple to reduce military confrontation along their border.

The ruling was in response to Cambodia’s petition to the ICJ on April 28 for an interpretation of the 1962 verdict awarding sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia.

The 1962 verdict says the ancient Hindu temple belongs to Cambodia, but the area around it has remained in dispute, causing frequent cross-border clashes between the two countries.

In the petition to the ICJ, Phnom Penh also asked the United Nations’ highest court to issue provisional measures that include an immediate withdrawal of Thai troops from areas around the temple, a ban on all Thai military activity in the area, and that Thailand refrain from any act which could interfere with Cambodia’s rights over the temple.

Thailand argued during oral testimony to the ICJ on May 30 and 31 that the two countries had no conflict over the scope and meaning of the 1962 verdict.

The Thai side said the court therefore has no jurisdiction to interpret its verdict, to which Thailand had fully complied with since it was issued in 1962.

Today, the ICJ first unanimously rejected Thailand’s request for it to drop Cambodia’s petition.

The court then agreed with a vote of 11- 5 to endorse provisional measures for Thailand and Cambodia to immediately withdraw their troops from the disputed area which is to be designated a provisional demilitarised zone, and to refrain from a military presence within the zone and from armed activity directed at it.

The court also voted 15 to 1 for both sides to continue their cooperation within Asean and allow observers to have access to the zone.

Lastly, the ICJ decided by a vote of 15 to 1 that the two countries in dispute shouold comply with the provisional measures issued today until it has completed consideration of Cambodia’s petition for an intepretation of the 1962 verdict.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said in The Hague, the Netherlands, that he was satisfied with the court’s ruling.

Earlier today, Army Region 2 spokesman Prawit Hukaew said there would not be any immediate troop withdrawal from the disputed area, regardless of what the ICJ decision might be.

Col Prawit commented ahead of the ICJ’s scheduled announcement at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

“No matter what the ICJ’s ruling is, troops of Army Region 2 will remain in the area [around Preah Vihear] to protect the land and sovereignty of our country.

“The army will wait for instructions from Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha [the national army chief],” the spokesman said.

He said if the court ruled in favour of Cambodia and the Cambodian army attacked the Thai side, the Thai army would be ready to retaliate.

“The number of Thai troops in the area is adequate to deal with any situation that might occur along the Thai-Cambodian border,” Col Prawit added.