Malaysia lauds Cambodia, Thailands effort to solve border dispute in court

 

May 31, 2011
Xinhua

Malaysia on Monday lauded Thailand and Cambodia's commitment to solve their border dispute peacefully as Cambodia referred the conflict to the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

"Tensions in the Cambodian-Thai border have caused a great deal of concern in the region and this was evident during the recent Asean summit in Jakarta," Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in a speech at the 25th Asia-Pacific Roundtable here.

Cambodia sued Thailand to the International Court of Justice on Monday, asking the court to order Thai troops to withdraw from the disputed area around the ancient temple Preah Vihear.

Both countries have been claiming sovereignty to the more than 900-year-old temple and its surrounding areas for the past few decades.

Cambodia last month asked the International Court of Justice to explain its ruling in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia.

Latest clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops killed at least 20 and injured dozens while tens of thousands fled the area in April.