King Norodom Sihanouk, recently outspoken on the issue of Cambodia’s borders, on Thursday objected strongly to the idea that there was any uncertainty about the matter and advocated a return to the borders delineated in the 1960s.
“I declare that in reality the land and sea borders of the Kingdom of Cambodia are not ‘unclear and delicate,’” the King said in a statement. “To say that our borders are ‘unclear and delicate’ is unacceptable.”
King Sihanouk was quoting a sentiment attributed to co-Defense Minister Prince Sisowath Sirirath, who on Monday told The Cambodia Daily that Cambodia’s borders with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos would take a long time to resolve through Asean.
That shouldn’t be the case, King Sihanouk said.
“In the 1960s, I asked all the countries, in the world, valuing Justice in good faith to recognize our borders: and the Royal Government of Cambodia (SRN) submitted to all these countries documents and geographical maps (drawn up by France, by the USA) showing clearly our legal land and sea borders,” the King wrote, referring to the Sangkum Reastr Niyum regime over which he presided as prince and head of state.
“These documents and maps can still be found, particularly in France,” King Sihanouk noted, adding that the governments of the US, both then-North and—South Vietnam, Laos, Canada, Australia, France and China were among those to officially recognize Cambodia’s borders at the time.
“I emphasize: The United States of America (USA) itself, then ‘in disagreement’ with Cambodia (SRN), decided, in 1969, to officially recognize the legal land and sea borders of the Kingdom of Cambodia (SRN). Following this official recognition of our borders by Washington DC, I reestablished, in 1969, diplomatic relations between our 2 countries,” the King wrote.
“The USA agencies’ maps of the borders of Cambodia and its 3 neighbors (Vietnam, Laos and Thailand) show very precisely the lines of these borders within which small villages, small streams, the slightest watering-holes are clearly shown,” King Sihanouk added.
“My conclusion: The accession of ‘their’ Cambodia to Asean nonetheless does not authorize some Khmers to sell off part of the land, sea and islands belonging to our sacred Fatherland,” the King wrote.
Prince Sirirath—who is not an immediate relation of the King but belongs to another branch of the royal family—on Thursday called the King’s statement “justified.”
The border issue “should have been settled a long time ago; what the King said is absolutely correct,” Prince Sirirath said. “But times have changed, and now things are not as they were when His Majesty was head of state.”
From Cambodia’s perspective, the old borders ought to still apply, “but neighboring countries continue to raise border issues with us,” the prince said.
Earlier this month, King Sihanouk declared he would not affix his signature to any new border treaties. The King’s signature is usually a routine appendage to any government pact, but King Sihanouk said he wanted no part of any redrawing of Cambodian territory.
