Who's The Crying Wolf?

BANGKOKIAN
When Cambodia cries wolf
By The Nation.
Published on August 1, 2008

Cambodia knows exactly when and where to hit Thailand to inflict the most pain on its neighbour to the east. Repeated attempts by Phnom Penh to raise the Preah Vihear dispute at the international level in forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement - which were subsequently withdrawn - shows a lack of sincerity and ill intentions. At a meeting in Singapore, Asean took the unprecedented step of discussing the temple dispute but without any progress.

Just put fingers cross and hope that the Author of this particular article, in any way and manner, did not represent the voices of the people of Thailand or the current legitimate democratic elected government and its administration.

If the Author means to say that Cambodia has lack of sincerity and ill intention on her part then he/she [author] is indeed an impressive delusional.

Mind you that Cambodia is the sole and lawful owner of the Preah Vihear Temple, which was legally awarded by the International Court of Justice in Hague, dated back in 1962; and was fully recognized by the international community. However, with due respects and sincerity, in good faith and in good intentions for us as a neighbour, Cambodia has approached Thailand that we shall have an open and sincere dialogue regarding the enlisting of Preah Vihear Temple as World Heritage site.

Both sides have done all their bests to teething any differences, meetings after meetings before reaching a fruitful result when a join communique was eventually and dully signed by the lawful representatives from both Cambodia and Thailand.

During the 32nd session in Quebec, the World Heritage Committee [all the 21 members] has unanimously approved the Cambodian application to list the Preah Vihear Temple as the World Heritage Site.
Thailand last attempt to delay and cite for a join-menagement on the temple has been rejected.

In return for all good deeds by Cambodia, the Royal Government and people of Cambodia; Thailand has decided to flex its military mights and muscles by sending its elite troops and military hardware to the surrounding areas of Preah Vihear Temple, on 15 July 2008.

How would the Author explain these type of action?

Would these actions prove the kind of sincerity and good intentions on part of Thailand?

When Cambodia Cries Wolf

BANGKOKIAN
When Cambodia cries wolf
By The NationPublished on August 1, 2008
Cambodia knows exactly when and where to hit Thailand to inflict the most pain on its neighbour to the east. Repeated attempts by Phnom Penh to raise the Preah Vihear dispute at the international level in forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement - which were subsequently withdrawn - shows a lack of sincerity and ill intentions. At a meeting in Singapore, Asean took the unprecedented step of discussing the temple dispute but without any progress. It was out of Asean goodwill and the good office of the previous chair, Singapore, that both sides were able to discuss the problem against the backdrop of the Asean meeting.

When members have bilateral problems, especially over sensitive issues concerning sovereignty, they should resolve them in an amicable way without being aggressive or using strong diplomatic language.

In Singapore, the Cambodian delegation left its mark with strong words of condemnation for Thailand over the controversy. The Thai delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Sahas Banditkul, was calm and mature. Sahas did not respond to the Cambodian tirade. Several Asean members have expressed concerns over the rough way the Cambodian delegate dealt with the issue.

After the end of the Asean meeting, Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo wrote a letter to his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, expressing concerns about the creditability of Asean as Cambodia has insisted that it would seek the intervention of the UN Security Council. Since both countries are members of Asean, any dispute between them should be settled bilaterally. Instead, Cambodia has tried to score points internationally by portraying the country as a victim of intimidation by a bigger and more prosperous neighbour. Asean wants all of its members to discuss and solve problems in the spirit of the grouping.

Cambodia's desire to internationalise the issue helps to show its true intention to tarnish Thailand's reputation. Of course, there is nothing Thailand can do at the moment as its domestic situation in recent years has been rather damning. Cambodia's approach would work if Thailand really were a bully. Look around, Thailand has been reduced to a small and non-significant player since 2001. Our reputation overseas has sunk to its lowest level ever. Instead of helping Thailand to settle the dispute amicably, those in Cambodia's upper echelon have instead decided that now is the best time to teach Thailand a lesson.

Several Asean members and dialogue partners have confided to the Foreign Ministry that they do not support Cambodia's efforts to push the temple dispute to the UN level. A member of the Security Council said that any internationalised issue would impact on Asean as a whole.

For the next 18 months, Thailand will serve as the chair of Asean. Cambodia's attitude will be crucial and should be closely scrutinised, as it will have far-reaching ramifications for the future of Asean.

If Cambodia continues to threaten to use the UN and Non-Aligned Movement forums, it would certainly hamper the effectiveness of the Thai chairmanship of Asean.