Cambodia demands Thais investigate border shooting, slated to take border dispute to ICJ
A 48-year-old Cambodian soldier was shot dead in a brief exchange of fire on May 28. - Supplied via PPP/ANN
PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian government plan to bring its border dispute with Thailand to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has garnered support from the former prime minister and the general public, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has demanded that Thailand investigate the May 28 shooting that killed a Cambodian soldier, describing it as a 'cruel and illegal act'.
On Monday night (June 1), Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on social media that Cambodia will take the border issue, particularly involving the areas around the Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch and Ta Kra Bei temples, to the ICJ in the Hague.
He stated that Cambodia has consistently pursued the peaceful resolution of border disputes through technical mechanisms and international law. An urgent meeting of the Joint Border Committee (JBC) with Thailand will be held to address the issue and continue demarcation and border marker placement between the two countries.
'[Cambodia] is preparing to include the issue of Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Toch Temple, Ta Krabey Temple and the Mum Bei area on the JBC meeting agenda, to bring these matters directly to the ICJ,' he said.
He said despite continuing peaceful cooperation with Thailand, such as border demarcation based on international legal standards, Cambodia 'reserves the right to protect its territorial integrity by all means, including the use of armed force, in case of any attempt to violate Cambodia's territorial integrity through military force.'
Following this statement, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, now president of the Senate, issued a message supporting plans to take the case to the ICJ.
'Earlier, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet confirmed that the issues of Mum Bei, Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Toch Temple and Ta Kra Bei Temple will be brought to the ICJ. I fully support this, as the 2000 MOU has made little progress, leading to ongoing ambiguity, mutual accusations and multiple armed clashes,' he said, via social media.
'If Thailand is sincerely committed to resolving this issue, it should agree to jointly bring the matter to the ICJ for a ruling, without Cambodia needing to file a case. We await Thailand's stance on this — will they dare or not?' he added.
He encouraged the Kingdom's armed forces to remain patient but also be prepared to counter any form of aggression.
The move to take the case to the ICJ has received widespread public support on social media.
In a May 29 diplomatic note to the Thai Embassy, the foreign ministry stated that Thai soldiers attacked Cambodian forces at a post in Techo Morodok village, Morodok commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, resulting in the 'unjust' death of a Khmer soldier at 5.30am on May 28.
The ministry clarified that Cambodia has maintained its presence at that location for a long time, predating a 2000 memorandum of understanding (MoU) on border demarcation and marker placement. The ministry protested the shooting.
'The Royal Government of Cambodia demands an urgent and thorough investigation into this violent incident. Those responsible for this cruel and illegal act must be brought to justice,' said the note. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
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