SPEECH OF
H.E. GEN. TEA BANH, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE,AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CEASEFIRE COORDINATION WORKING GROUP AT THE CEREMONY FOR PHASE I OF THE READJUSTMENT OF THE CAMBODIAN ARMED FORCES OUT OF THE PDZ IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ICJ DECISION
No. 151 DATED JULY 18, 2011
PREAH VIHEAR, JULY 18, 2012
- Distinguished guests,
- Foreign Military Attaches to the Kingdom of Cambodia,
- Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Soldiers, and Conservation Police Forces,
- National and International distinguished guests, and all the beloved people in Choam Ksan District!
Today, I have the greatest pleasure to meet you all here in "Peace Headquarters – January 5" of Preah Vihear Mountain for the ceremony of Phase I of the Readjustment of the Cambodian Armed Forces out of the PDZ in accordance with the ICJ decision number 151 dated on July 18, 2011.
I would like to take this opportunity to convey the warmest regards from Samdech Akka moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, to all officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, and conservation police forces, and the beloved people who are attending this historical event.
First of all, allow me to re-emphasize to all of you that the previous clashes between the RCAF and the Thai military at the areas in vicinity of Preah Vihear temple since 2008, which led to the evacuations of thousands of families, destruction of the market at the base of the temple, and the severe damage to the Preah Vihear temple, were NOT caused by the registration of the Preah Vihear temple into the World's Heritage list. Those events occurred because of the creation of a "4.6 km unilateral map" by Thailand, which intentionally violates and encroaches on Cambodian territory at the area of Keo Sekhakiri Swarak pagoda, the road up the mountain leading to Preah Vihear temple, and the areas in the vicinity of the base of the temple, all of which violate the International map determined by the ICJ in 1962.
Amidst these difficult challenges, I would like to express my wholeheartedly appreciation for the unmatched bravery of the RCAF who have firmly been holding the ground to protect and defend Cambodian territory and sovereignty in accordance with the highest recommendations of Samdech Akka moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia which dictate that Cambodia will not allow the loss of even one millimeter of territory while at the same time Cambodia will not violate even one millimeter of the territory of any neighboring country.
Along this line, I would also like to express my great appreciation to the leadership of the Preah Vihear National Authority, and all the colleagues who have worked cooperatively with the Special National-Level Working Group for Preah Vihear temple and the Preah Vihear provincial authority in continuing the conservation and development works even at a time when complete peace has not yet prevailed. The achievements of Preah Vihear National Authority, Special National-Level Working Group for Preah Vihear Temple, and the Preah Vihear Provincial Authority include the zoning for conservation, the maintenance of Preah Vihear Temple, and the development of physical infrastructures for the people and military in this area such as Samdech Techo Hun Sen's Natural Village, Samdech Techo Hun Sen's Preah Vihear Universal Natural Museum, Intervention Division 3, Intervention Brigades 7, 8, and 9. All of these significantly contribute to the policy of the Royal Government in establishing the defense system along the border.
-Distinguished guests, Officers, and Police,
-Friendly Foreign Military Attaches to the Kingdom of Cambodia,
-Distinguished participants!
In the year 2012, Cambodia has many great and historical events to organize, at the national, regional, and international levels. In the last six months, Cambodia hosted many ASEAN meetings like ASEAN Summit, ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and meetings with its partners. The Ministry of National Defense, for our part, successfully hosted the ADMM and other related meetings which contributed significantly to integration into the international arena.
Moreover, there have been many significant events at the national levels. Besides water policy, economy, and food supplies, we also have the activities of the Youth Volunteer Groups who are currently contributing to the implementation of "new activities of the existing policy" in measuring and providing the legal property deeds on the land of the people in all areas including the very remote ones. Samdech Techo considered this as the special mission that can be recognized as of national, regional, and global significance.
Along this line, border affair is still one of the main priorities determined by the Royal government.
The ICJ decision in 1962 definitely and clearly confirmed that the Preah Vihear Temple and the areas in the vicinity of the Temple are undoubtedly in Cambodian territory as shown in the attached map in the annex of the Decision. The interpretation of the ICJ decision that we have all been waiting for at this time is to re-affirm about the definite border line between the two countries based on the attached map in the annex of the ICJ decision. Such interpretation will neither affect nor change the Decision of the ICJ in 1962. Thus, the RCAF has bravely fulfilled their obligation in defending and firmly holding the ground in their own territory.
On July 13, 2012 in Siem Reap there was a fruitful talk between Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Lok Chumteav Yinglak Shinawatra, Prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand. The readjustment of Cambodian armed forces at this time clearly shows that Cambodia fully respects its obligation as the Member State of the UN, abides by the International laws, and especially plays its role and exercises its rights as the host to maintain and protect mankind's heritages. As evidence of these commitments, Cambodia now starts implementing the ICJ Decision number 151 dated on July 18, 2011 by readjusting 485 military personnel out of the vicinity of the Preah Vihear Temple and replacing them with 255 police personnel and 100 conservation security personnel.
Along with this military readjustment ceremony, this month also marks the fourth anniversary for the Registration of Preah Vihear Temple as World Heritage site. I would also like to inform all of you about the great achievement of the 36th meeting of the World Heritage Committee at Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, which has decided that Cambodia shall be the host of the 37thmeeting of World Heritage Committee in 2013. This new success clearly demonstrates the great supports of international community on the correct and clear policy of the Royal Government of Cambodia under the great leadership of Samdech Akka MoHa Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
I would like to take this opportunity to call for more cooperation and support from all of the units positioning in the area of the Preah Vihear Temple to prevent all thefts of antique objects, illegal logging, and illegal land possession so that we can defend and protect our heritage park with a view towards upholding the global value of Preah Vihear and to show the harmonization between the natural Preah Vihear Temple and the people.
Once again, on behalf of the Royal Government and Samdech Akka MoHa Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, I would like to express my deep and profound appreciation for the unmatched bravery of the RCAF especially officers and soldiers who will return to their units and sharpen their training to prepare for future order from the government and I also would like to express my deepest regards for the strong determination and commitment of police forces who will replace the armed forces in this area.
At the end, I would like to wish Your Excellencies, Madams, Commanders and Deputy Commanders of RCAF, Foreign Military Attaches, Military Officers, Non-commissioned officers, Police Officers, Soldiers, Public Servants, and all my compatriots, with the four Buddha's blessings.
Thank you