support Ambassador Julio A. Jeldres over Preah Vihear issue

Dear Readers,

The debates over the issue of Preah Vihear have gotten interesting by the day. Since Khmerization published a translated article from everday.com about new Thai incursions into the Preah Vihear precinct, Khmerization has received emails from at least three high-profile and eminent personalities. Mr. Norbert Klein, a high profile NGO executive in Cambodia, has weighed in by raising the issue of the 2008 Joint Communique which, according to Mr. Klein's understanding, seems to concede that the territories around the Preah Vihear temple belong to Thailand. Mr. Klein's rationales have attracted Khmerization's detailed response.

Khmerization's exchanges with Mr. Klein seem to attract the attention of Ambassador Julio A. Jeldres, an official biographer of ex-king Sihanouk, who then weighed in the debates with his very thoughtful analysis.

The latest email has been particularly of great interests to me because it came from a Khmer royalty who is very proficient in the history of Khmer borders, particularly the history of Koh Tral Island. Prince Sisowath Thomico, a son of Prince Sisowath Methavi, has been a controversial figure in the not-so-kind and cut-throat politics of Cambodia but, when it comes to Khmer borders and history, he should be commended for his uncompromising patriotism and his unquestionale knowledge. Below is his email to Khmerization:

Dear Sir,

I would like to weigh in the debate regarding the official name of Preah Vihear. As my friend Ambassador Julio rightly pointed out, up to now, all official notes issued by the Royal Government of Thailand referred to Preah Vihear as Preah Vihear not "Khao Phra Viharn" as now surprisingly demanded by Thailand.

As a matter of fact, international relations are ruled by international laws, international/bilateral treaties and international/bilateral conventions. As far as Preah Vihear is concerned, the last official treaty/agreement/judgement refer to the Temple as Preah Vihear, including the infamous June 18, 2008 Joint Communiqué.

There is no mention of "Khao Phra Viharn" in any international document ever since the June 1962 ruling of the International Court of Justice of the Hague. So, it is clear that Preah Vihear is the only name that ought to be used while referring to the Temple in any international negotiation/treaty/convention/agreement.

Last but not least: Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia. It has to be referred to under its Cambodian name. It would be laughable and irrelevant if Cambodia ever wanted to refer to Ho Chi Minh City as "Prey Nokor" in official bilateral/international document. The same goes for Preah Vihear.