GENEVA, Aug 28 (TNA) – Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa has clarified Thailand’s position on its border dispute with Cambodia to international officials in Geneva, asserting that Cambodia has violated international agreements.
He affirmed that Thailand is acting in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
The minister met with Ms. Tomiko Ishikawa, President of the Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention on a ban on anti-personnel landmines, and Ms. Caroline-Mélanie Reginbal, Chief of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva. The purpose of the meetings was to present the facts regarding Cambodia’s use of landmines, which Maris stated is a violation of the Ottawa Convention.
Subsequently, the Thai foreign minister participated in discussions with representatives from 14 States Parties, a group that included countries that have provided demining aid to Cambodia.
Following the meetings, Maris said that these countries were interested in hearing Thailand’s side of the story. He said he presented evidence of Cambodia’s violations, including the recent placement of anti-personnel landmines that infringed on Thailand’s sovereignty. He highlighted the recent incident in which a Thai soldier was seriously injured after stepping on a landmine yesterday.
He stated that he used this opportunity to formally protest and to call on the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention to demand that Cambodia account for its actions along the Thai-Cambodian border. He said it was a valuable opportunity to submit evidence and make a formal demand through the official mechanism of the Ottawa Convention.
He concluded by noting that member states had thanked Thailand for its restraint and for not violating international law, commending the country for its appropriate and measured response. -819 (TNA)
