Cambodia to reject all Thai claims on temple

By Cheang Sokha
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia will reject all Thai claims to disputed territory surrounding the Preah Vihear temple contained within a 900-page submission sent to the International Court of Justice by Bangkok on Monday, Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong (pictured) said yesterday.

The submission, which is part of the ICJ’s process to reinterpret a 1962 decision awarding the temple to Cambodia, would not stand up against Cambodian counter claims, Koy Kuong said.

“We will kick out Thailand’s report when the ICJ asks Cambodia for its response,” he said, adding the court had yet to make this request.

Cambodia requested in April that the ICJ, the United Nations’s highest court, reinterpret a 1962 ruling on possession of the 11th-century temple after lethal clashes erupted between the two countries. The original ICJ decision found the temple belonged to Cambodia.

On Monday, the Bangkok Post reported that Thailand had submitted the report along with 300 pages of detailed narrative and 600 pages of annexes, which Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul declined to provide details of.

“No matter how the ICJ’s decision turns out, Thai society should understand that this government and the past government of Abhisit Vejjajiva have tried their best to protect the country’s sovereignty and interests,” the Bangkok Post quoted Surapong saying.

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Hun Sen had asked Indonesia to continue mediating the dispute following the ICJ framework.

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