Rivals confident over testimony

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said he was happy with the Thai defence mounted at a two-day hearing in the Hague which ended on Wednesday.

"We delivered a very comprehensive answer rebutting the accusations made by the Cambodian side in every aspect.

"So it's an accomplishment on our side," he told reporters on his return to Thailand yesterday.

He said his team received a positive response from the Thai public over its work at the court.

Cambodian deputy premier Hor Namhong, who led Phnom Penh's delegation to the ICJ, said he believed his country held an advantage over Thailand.

"Cambodia is in a better position than Thailand as we have internationally recognised documents and maps to support us," he was quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency in Phnom Penh yesterday.

The ICJ ruled in 1962 the Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia but its verdict did not touch on which country owns the land surrounding the temple.

Both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim to this land, which has led to a series of armed clashes between the two countries.

Cambodia has now asked the court to interpret its 1962 ruling and order Thailand to withdraw troops and stop all military activity near the temple.

The court called a two-day hearing to consider the request.

The two sides agreed to accept Indonesian observers to monitor a ceasefire at the border on Feb 22 at the 

Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Jakarta, but the deployment was delayed because Thailand demanded that Cambodian soldiers and residents be withdrawn from the disputed area first.

"The court will decide whether to consider Cambodia's request," said Mr Kasit.

The court was expected to make a decision in three weeks, he said, adding that he would take the Thai team to listen to the verdict.

The ICJ's decision would not affect the process of sending the team of Indonesian observers to the border, Mr Kasit said.

"Thailand has asked Indonesia to send its survey team to Thailand to look for somewhere to stay and the locations where Indonesian troops will be stationed. The team has gone to Cambodia," said the minister.

Thailand and Cambodia will hold a General Border Committee (GBC) meeting to discuss deployment of military personnel at the Preah Vihear temple.

Thailand would sign the terms of reference with Indonesia after the GBC meeting, the date for which has yet to be set by Cambodia.

Bangkok Post