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Historic Wat Preah Vihear mines to be cleared as Thai-Cambodian controversy continues

Written By: herbrunbridge - Dec• 23•12

The historical temple of Wat Preah Vihear has been the subject of skirmishes for decades

In a story reported in the Bangkok Post of December 21, 2012, Thailand and Cambodia have begun thawing relations related to skirmishes surrounding the historical Wat Preah Vihear temple. Although sitting in Cambodian territory, the temple has been claimed by both countries.

At a meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Working Group (JWG) held in Bangkok this week, the group agreed to a joint national force that will create five zones and clear all land mines surrounding the temple. For years, visitors to the temple have been warned not to venture away from the temple due to unexploded ordnance. The JWG expects all mines to be removed by the end of April 2013.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) continues to clarify matters surrounding the site, including a ruling on July 18, 2012, that ordered both countries to withdraw from a 17.3 square km area surrounding the site. The court also agreed to review its original ruling over the ownership of the 6.6 square km temple site, which favored Cambodia.

Other issues pertaining to the Wat that will be addressed over the next several months by a number of international bodies will include the timed introduction of a team of Indonesian observers to oversee mine removal, logging laws and rights, and the upgrading of Cambodia’s Highway 48, which leads to the site.

Meanwhile, saber-rattling among conservative groups in Thailand over the issue continues. The yellow-clad People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is holding demonstations on the streets of Bangkok, calling the Thai government a “traitor” for following international law by accepting the ruling of the ICJ.

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