I need to add on to what the Prime Minister has already mentioned. I would like the Congress to make a statement in support of the Royal Government in bringing the issue of national sovereignty at Mom Bei, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch and Ta Krabey to the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ).
Here, what I want to emphasize in addition to what the Prime Minister has already said is that we must continue negotiations through existing mechanisms. It does not mean that we go to the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ) and abandon the mechanism of negotiations. The border commissions of the two countries are still continuing negotiations and all other mechanisms are still in place, including the mechanism of meetings between the Ministers of Interior and the provinces, between the Ministers of Defense, all of which are still in place. This time, it is just that we put on the agenda to persuade the Thai side to take all the issues to the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ). Appealing (together) like this is our courtesy. It is not only being done by Cambodia. As far as we know, there are many countries that have done like this, such as the case of Singapore and Malaysia, they also appealed like this.
Last night, after posting the Prime Minister’s messages and my messages, someone asked, “What if we invite them but they don’t go?” I replied, “If they don’t go, it means we have to file a lawsuit. If we agreed to go together, it’s a good thing. It’s about saving each other’s face.” Also, I want to tell the Cambodian people as well as the Thai people that if we don’t rely on a third party, the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ), to resolve the conflict, this kind of conflict will continue for hundreds of years. It’s not over. Why it is not over. The reason is that each country’s government cannot retreat from its own position. If it retreats from this point, the people in its own country will blame (them). If it retreats from this point through a bilateral mechanism, not through the court, definitely the people will blame (the government), whether ours or the Thai’s.
So, the best way to satisfy the people and the government is to take this issue to court. Cambodia promises to respect the court’s decision, because His Majesty the King Father of the nation, Preah Borom Ratanak Kaod, also brought to court in 1962 regarding the Preah Vihear Temple. We also filed a lawsuit for interpretation in 2011. We respect and accept the decision and interpretation voluntarily and with satisfaction. Going to court is a matter of saving each other’s face. In the upcoming meeting, the Cambodian side will submit a proposal to the Thai side to go to the International Court of Justice. We are waiting to see, if there is any evasion by any group, there is definitely a secret behind it. Why don’t you want to resolve it through the court? Negotiations have been going on for 25 years. I spent 23 and a half years, from the MoU in 2000 to August 2023. It means that I spent more than 23 years. Then came the new government for almost two years. We haven’t resolved it. Even the Joint Border Commission’s meeting hasn’t been held.
What is the reason behind it? And (there have been cases in which some) dare to claim (the land), push our people away by their chests, and even intruded and shot (our soldier) in our territory. The thing that hurts me the most is one of our soldiers (who died of that armed intrusion). Samdech Tea Banh and I know that place very well. We have occupied this place since 1988. At that time, it was the Khmer Rouge’s foothold, where there were many weapons, including some in the Thai’s territory. We launched an operation in cooperation with the Laotian, Cambodian and Vietnamese armies, and captured many guns and bullets. Tea Banh arrived at that place since 1988. What on earth have they now demanded that that we withdraw our troops?
The day that (Gen.) Mao Sophan went to the negotiation, actually there was already an agreement. Suddenly, the commander of the 2nd Thai Military Region wrote a little letter to the commander of the Thai army. The commander then asked our army commander, Mao Sophan, to withdraw 200 meters (from the point). This was what Abhisit Vejjajiva said to me in front of the President of Indonesia when Indonesia was the chairman of ASEAN in 2011: “Both sides are to withdraw their troops from the Preah Vihear Temple area.” I said, “Your Excellency! I cannot withdraw my troops from my territory. On the contrary, it is Your Excellency who must withdraw your invading troops from the Preah Vihear Temple.”
In this world, there has never been cases that troops are demanded to be withdrawn from their own land. This issue of Mom Bei, the heart and mind pavillon belongs to is Cambodia. I went to see the trenches and I saw the 12.7-mm guns. Last night, I posted a photo (from that time). The border was not even there. I went further to the other side where the 12.7-mm guns was and I touched it. Why are they demanding that we withdraw (from our land) at this hour? This is not a matter of incitement, but a matter of sovereignty.
Now, we will know clearly who is patriotic, who truly loves the country? “When we don’t fight back, they say we are cowards, and dare not fight. When we fight, they say we are violent. When we don’t complain, they say we don’t dare. When we complain, they say we are causing trouble.” That’s from those insiders. Now, you should come out again so that the people know your (true) face from now on. All televisions are broadcasting live throughout the country from our congress.
In this situation, I would like to emphasize that “we are not abandoning any negotiation mechanism, but in this negotiation, we will ask the Thai side to take the four sensitive points to the ICJ. The Joint Border Commission will continue to examine, find and mark the border.” It is clear that we will not abandon this commission. It is not that we will file a lawsuit and the matter will be over. We will only take these four points to the court, other than that, the commission will continue to measure and determine the specific border. If we do not seek the (international) court decision, this matter would become like the Gaza area between Israel and the Palestine. There will not be solution and the fight will be forever – if it is not small, it is big, if it is not big, it is small. Why are they afraid of going to court if they are honest?
Cambodia does not need anyone’s territory. Cambodia has lost a lot of territory already. Cambodia does not demand that the land be returned. However, Cambodia only wants to maintain the right to defend its (current) territory, and cannot allow anyone to seize it […] Cambodia has negotiated with Vietnam, and has already set up 84% of the border posts. The remaining 16% is still being negotiated, and both sides respect each other. With Laos, Cambodia has negotiated, and has set up 86% of the border posts, and the remaining 14% is continuing to negotiate with respect. However, nothing has been done for 25 years about the Cambodia-Thailand border, except looking for a few posts. If all these sensitive points are not resolved, problem will continue.
I would like to emphasize that it is not our (decision) to bring the case to court and stop the cooperation between Cambodia and Thailand in all existing fields. The case is the case, but the cooperation is still cooperation. Friendship must exist. I appeal to my compatriots not to cause further issue to reach the point of racial discrimination, not to let the conflict spread to other regions or transfer from the military sector to the economy, trade, investment, tourism, culture or education sectors, etc. Please pay attention to this issue.
I would also like to recommend to the government that in the event of an armed conflict, while the case is in court or we have not filed a complaint yet, please do not forget the UN Security Council, as we have done that before. If there is a violation, we will fight it there militarily, but diplomatically, we must knock on the door of the UN Security Council, as we did in 2011. Please do not forget the United Nations Security Council. I hope that the UN Security Council will help encourage a negotiated and legal solution.
Cambodia does not want war. Cambodia has had more than enough wars. Cambodia has no desire to take anyone’s territory, but wants to keep its own territory that was left by the French Colonial and has been safeguarded by the late King-Father Preah Borom Ratanak Kaod. We do not want (territory) from anyone. (We) have lost so much. Only the size of the palm of our hand remains. We can keep that much, don’t go looking for anything else.
Since this topic is not prepared in advance, I do not propose to issue any decision. I request that the Congress make a statement supporting the Royal Government in bringing this sensitive issue to the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ). All of us, the National Assembly and the Senate, are supporting the Royal Government so that in the future it will be clear that the Royal Government must continue to implement this. Let the Royal Government itself, together with the representatives of the Senate and the National Assembly, prepare a statement. If the Prime Minister, as well as the Speaker of the House and the Senate, agree, I, on behalf of the Congress, will issue the statement after this meeting.
Now, I would like to ask the members of the National Assembly and the Senate who are attending the congress, if they agree to issue a statement in support of the Royal Government, approve it by a show of hands up. May the secretary be careful because there are three political parties participating (in this joint session of the National Assembly and the Senate). Please do not count them wrong. They do not support it, but count them (as supporting), which is wrong. There are three Khmer Will (party) members, five Funcinpec members. Representatives appointed by the King, appointed by the Parliament, raised their hands just now. Please clarify, not to say 179 right away. Be careful not to say it wrong. (The entire congress, consisting of members of the Senate and the National Assembly, expressed 182 votes in support.)
