STATEMENT
The Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Office
of the Council of Ministers rejects the accusation of Thai Prime Minister
Abhisit Vejjajiva and Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya published in the
Nation and the ASTV Manager Online, respectively, on 14 February 2011, that
Cambodia initiated the recent fighting near the Temple of Preah Vihear, and
that the Temple was used as a base for the launching of attacks.
The Thai Prime Minister’s accusation defies
logic and common sense. Cambodia
has not sought to change the situation on the border, which has been
internationally recognised for a century, and particularly since the
International Court of Justice’s ruling of 1962. It is Thailand that
has sought to change this reality; lacking any legal basis for such a change, it
has now sought to create one by a military means.
Furthermore, Cambodia
lacks the means to challenge Thailand
militarily. Cambodia’s
population is less than one-fourth of Thailand’s. Its GDP is about
one-twentieth compared to Thai's GDP. Cambodia’s
armed forces number about one-eighth of Thailand’s,
and the latter are well-equipped with sophisticated weaponry, including modern
air and navy forces, which Thailand
has openly threatened to use against Cambodia.
In regard to the fighting on the border, it is
the Thai Government that has sought to keep international public opinion in the
dark. The Thai Prime Minister has also sought to prevent any neutral observers,
and has even attempted to prevent a UNESCO delegation visiting the Temple of Preah Vihear to assess the damage caused
by the Thai military. The Thai Government thus seeks to close the door to hide
its past and ongoing aggression.
Cambodia highly appreciates the efforts of
the United Nations Security Council to prevent new fighting, to prevent further
civilian casualties and to protect the World Heritage Site in Cambodia, the Temple of Preah Vihear.
In supporting the ASEAN to mediate, the United
Nations Security Council has put an end to the Thai Government’s policy of closing
the door to the regional and international community, aiming at using the
military strength to satisfy their long-planned territorial ambition. As the
Thai Government well knows, bilateral discussions have led to nowhere, but to
serve the Thai government’s intention of beating Cambodia behind the scene. While
bilateral meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers was taking place
in Siem Reap on 4 February 2011, the Thai army was also attacking Cambodia.
Cambodia welcomes the United Nations Security
Council’s support for the ASEAN’s active mediation efforts to set up a
mechanism, which can help prevent new attacks by Thailand. Furthermore, this ASEAN
mechanism can create a transparent situation and build a mutual confidence;
particularly to ensure the cessation of hostilities, should they occur, this
ASEAN mechanism could identify the provocateur, and to witness whether Cambodia has military base capable of launching
an alleged attack on Thailand.
The mechanism should then be possible to proceed to a timely, peaceful and
permanent resolution.
Phnom Penh, 15 February 2011
Press and Quick Reaction Unit
