Saturday, 29 January 2011

AKP - The Agence Kampuchea Press


via CAAI

Declaration of Cambodian Foreign Ministry over Thailand’s Demand

Phnom Penh, January 28, 2011 AKP – The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has issued a declaration in response to the demand of Thai prime minister to remove Cambodia’s flag from the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda of Cambodia.

The following is the full declaration dated today:

“On 27 January 2011, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand demanded that Cambodia must remove its flag from the KEO SIKHA KIRI SVARA pagoda of Cambodia. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to reassert as fellows:

- On 13 February 1904, France and Siam signed a Convention to establish the Joint Commissions on the Delimitation of Frontiers between Indo-China and Siam. In the period between the year 1905 and 1908, the Franco-Siamese Commissions produced a total of 11 maps, including the one that demarcates Sector 6 which is the area of the Temple of Preah Vihear.

- In 1954, Thai troops invaded Cambodian territory and occupied the TEMPLE OF PREAH VIHEAR. On 6 October 1959, Cambodia submitted this case of aggression to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Based principally on the above mentioned map produced by the Franco-Siamese Commissions, the ICJ adjudicated on 15 June 1962 as follows,

‘…the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia;’

‘Thailand is under an obligation to withdraw any military or police forces, or other guards or keepers, stationed by her at the Temple, or in its vicinity on Cambodian territory;’

- Article I (c) of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary, signed on 14 June 2000, also recognizes the above mentioned map as a legal basis for the survey and demarcation of land boundary between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand.

- According to the map produced by the Franco-Siamese Commissions, the KEO SIKHA KIRI SVARA pagoda, built by the people of Cambodia in 1998, is clearly situated in the Cambodian territory. Therefore, the flag of the Kingdom of Cambodia is legitimately flying over this Pagoda.

- Such a statement made by the Prime Minister of Thailand in parallel with Thailand’s military exercise at the border with Cambodia is clearly provocative and constitutes a casus belli for future acts of aggression against Cambodia. Cambodia reserves its legitimate rights to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to emphasize that this statement made by the Prime Minister of Thailand is unacceptable and that the Kingdom of Cambodia firmly rejects such an insulting demand.” –AKP

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Cambodian NA Delegation To Attend International Conference in Quebec

Phnom Penh, January 28, 2011 AKP – Cambodian First Vice-President of the National Assembly H.E. Nguon Nhel will lead a delegation to Canada to attend the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CIDEC) to be held from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5 in Quebec.

NA delegations from 77 countries will take part in this six-day conference, according to a press release of Cambodia’s NA Secretariat General.

On the occasion, on behalf of Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, NA president and chairman of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly for 2010-2011, H.E. Nguon Nhel will deliver a speech and join a discussion on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions. –AKP

By SOKMOM Nimul

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Thai FM To Join Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Siem Reap

Phnom Penh, January 28, 2011 AKP – Thai Foreign Minister H.E. Kasit Piromya will pay a visit to Cambodia to participate in the 7th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation Between Cambodia and Thailand to be held on Feb. 3-4, in Siem Reap province.

The visit will be made at the invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Hor Namhong, said a press release of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dated today.

The meeting is aimed at strengthening and expanding cooperation in all fields between the two countries, it added.

During the meeting, both sides will adopt the Record of Discussion of the meeting, the press release pointed out. –AKP

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