Cambodian officials and academics have hailed a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on November 11 reaffirming the the country’s sovereignty over the disputed Preah Vihear temple as "just and acceptable".
Following the November 11 decision, in The Hague Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong expressed his satisfaction with the verdict, though he acknowledged it is does not resolve 100 percent of Cambodia ’s concerns.
Spokesman for the country’s Council of Ministers Phay Siphan, said the ICJ's decision clearly showed that the temple and its vicinity belong to Cambodia .
"Now we have the result, it will require political will from the two countries to fully implement the verdict in order to avoid any military clashes," he told Chinese news agency Xinhua over the telephone.
In a brief statement broadcast live on state TV and radio from the Government House, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that the country is satisfied with the ICJ's verdict, which she declared is “beneficial” to the Thai side.
In a brief statement broadcast live on state TV and radio from the Government House, Yingluck reassured that the ICJ did not rule on the disputed spots around Preah Vihear and instead suggested that Thailand and Cambodia cooperate with each other via existing bilateral mechanisms such as the so-called Joint Committee in order to settle all disputes between the two neighboring countries, according to Xinhua.
Following the unanimous ICJ verdict, Thailand and Cambodia will look after Preah Vihear and the nearby areas, given assistance from the UNESCO, which declared the 1,000-year-old temple a World Heritage in 2008, said the Thai Prime Minister.
Xinhua citied Thai Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul as saying that both Cambodian and Thai Governments are satisfied with the verdict.
The situation along the border near Preah Vihear temple currently remains calm following the ruling.-VNA
