Govt satisfied with ICJ verdict

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) yesterday confirmed Cambodia’s sovereignty over the whole of a disputed promontory of Preah Vihear Temple on the border with Thailand, but urged both parties to resolve differences on the vicinity. 

Following the judgement, the Thai Ambassador to the Netherlands, Virachai Plasai, said Cambodia had only won a small piece of the disputed territory. “We are still calculating the exact amount,” he said.

Thai Foreign Minister Suraphong Tovichaichaikul said “Both sides are satisfied with the court’s decision.”   

The court rejected Cambodia’s claim that it was also awarded a nearby hill, called Phnum Trap, by the 1962 ICJ ruling that was being interpreted in yesterday’s judgement.

The court declared that “Cambodia had sovereignty over the whole territory of the promontory of Preah Vihear, as defined in paragraph 98 of the present judgement. 

“And that in consequence, Thailand was under an obligation to withdraw from that territory the Thai military or police force, or other guard or keepers, that were stationed there.”

In paragraph 98 of the judgement, the court says, “...in the light of pleading in the original proceeding, it appears that the limits of the promontory of Preah Vihear, to the south of the Annex I map line, consist of natural features. To the east, south and southwest, the promontory drops in a steep escarpment to the Cambodian plains.” 

The court made clear that Thailand and Cambodia were in agreement since 1962 that the escarpment, and the land at its foot, were under Cambodian sovereignty in any event. To the west and northwest, the land drops in a slope, less steep than the escarpment but nonetheless pronounced, into the valley which separates Preah Vihear from the neighbouring hill of Phnom Trap (Phu Makheu in Thai), the valley itself drops away in the south to the Cambodian plains.

Cambodia had appealed to the court for interpretation of the 1962 judgement as to where exactly the vicinity of the temple was mentioned in the previous judgement. 

Thailand had told the court earlier that the Thai Cabinet in 1962 had made clear the vicinity of the temple. Cambodia argued that it was not correct and requested the court to indicate the vicinity under Annex I map, which Cambodia had attached to the previous application.

The court said Cambodia’s request was admissible and the court had the jurisdiction to make the interpretation.

Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said he was satisfied with the judgement but needed time and consultation with Thailand to determine where exactly the vicinity of the temple was in accordance with the judgement. 

Thailand also needed time to study the judgement and said earlier that it would consult and cooperate with Cambodia to deal with the verdict.