BANGKOK, July 9 – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to rule July 18 as requested by Cambodia to issue a provisional measure to force Thailand to withdraw troops from the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple and a ban on military activity there following sporadic deadly clashes between troops of both sides.
The court’s ruling is scheduled after Thailand and Cambodia attended two rounds of oral observations May 30-31 in the Hague, Netherlands, following the Cambodian request that the court interpret its 1962 ruling on Preah Vihear Temple, including its request for indication of provisional measures.
“On Monday 18 July 2011, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will deliver its Order on the request for indicating provisional measures submitted by Cambodia…” the court said in its statement released Friday.
It said a public sitting would take place at the Peace Palace in The Hague and the President of the Court, Judge Hisashi Owada, would read the court’s order.
Thai foreign ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said the ministry has acknowledged the ICJ statement and the outgoing Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will lead a Thai delegation to hear the ruling at the end of next week in The Hague.
Mr Thani however said he could not predict the direction of the order, but affirmed that Thailand was confident it had clarified the matter to the court as much as it could and hopes the court will give fairness for the consideration of the case.
In 1962, the court ruled that Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. Thailand complied with the ruling but argued that the verdict covered only the sandstone ruins while the area around it belonged to Thailand.
Since then, both sides have built up military forces along the border and periodic clashes have occurred, resulting in the deaths of troops and civilians on both sides.
On April 28, Cambodia asked the ICJ to interpret its 1962 judgement to establish if the land in the temple’s vicinity also belonged to it. The application was accompanied by its urgent request for the indication of provisional measures.
