Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Border Affairs (SSBA) has protested the latest reports released by the Thai military and various Thai media outlets which allege that Cambodian citizens are “invading” Thai territory. It expressed deep concerns about the claims, which suggest Cambodian incursions at 17 locations along the border, from Pursat to Koh Kong provinces.
In a September 25 statement, the SSBA warned that the comments made by the spokesperson of the Royal Thai Navy and the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defense Command constituted a threat to apply, by force, unilateral demarcation which violates the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 2000).
Such action, it said, infringes upon the mandate of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) of the two countries and undermines the outcomes and efforts already achieved, as well as the ongoing and future negotiations of the JBC of both sides.
The release added that unilateral actions constitute an act of provocation that may lead to an increase of tensions along the border, and constitute a violation of the July 28 ceasefire agreement, the minutes of the August 7 General Border Committee (GBC) and the outcomes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Regional Border Committee (RBC).
“Survey and demarcation work is the exclusive mandate of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) of the two countries, with no other mechanism or institution having authority over this matter. In this regard, the SSBA calls on the Thai side to address the above issue and resolve it through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) a meeting of which is scheduled to convene in the near future,” said the release.
The SSBA reiterated its firm and unwavering commitment to resolving the work of survey and demarcation peacefully, in accordance with international law and the agreements mutually accepted by both parties.
