Prime Minister Hun Manet has invited former opposition lawmaker Um Sam An and his team to Cambodia to discuss allegations that the placement of temporary markers along the Cambodia-Thailand border has resulted in territorial losses to Thailand.
The prime minister guaranteed their safety and offered to cover their travel and accommodation expenses.
The invitation follows remarks by Um
Sam An recently alleged that the placement of temporary markers by the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), between boundary pillars 52 and 59, were largely positioned inside Cambodian territory.
In his message, the prime minister noted that Sam An had accused the government of ceding territory to Thailand in exchange for peace and the preservation of political power.
Manet rejected the allegations, describing them as “serious accusations” against the government, as well as the Cambodian border specialists who have spent decades carrying out their responsibilities to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said that, in the interests of transparency, accountability and responsibility to the Cambodian people, he was offering Sam An and his team an opportunity to bring their documents and evidence for direct discussions with specialists from the State Secretariat of Border Affairs.
“I invite Um Sam An and his team of border experts to bring all the documents and evidence they possess concerning the Cambodia-Thailand border between boundary pillars 52 and 59 for frank and direct discussions with the border specialists of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs in Cambodia,” he declared.
The prime minister said the discussions would allow journalists, political party representatives, civil society organisations, students, intellectuals and members of the public to witness the exchanges and hear details about border allegations that have raised public concern.
He noted that because negotiations and efforts to resolve border issues with Thailand remain unfinished, the government could not disclose certain sensitive information to the public, particularly through social media.
He explained that restrictions on public participation and information disclosure were intended to protect sensitive material related to ongoing border negotiations, while maintaining the government’s commitment to transparency.
Another significant element of the invitation was the prime minister’s personal guarantee of safety for Sam An and his team throughout their stay in Cambodia.
“I guarantee the safety of Um Sam An and his team throughout their presence in Cambodia until they and their team have departed the country,” Hun Manet said.
In addition to the security guarantee, he offered to pay for Um Sam An’s airfare if he lacked funds, as well as to arrange free transportation and accommodation during his stay for the proposed discussions.
The prime minister reiterated that the security guarantee was intended to ensure that concerns over personal safety would not prevent Sam An and his team from accepting the invitation.
He maintained that the invitation was not intended as a personal confrontation with Sam An or his associates, but rather as an opportunity for the parties involved to present their documents, evidence and technical arguments before observers.
“The government has nothing to hide and is not afraid to take responsibility for its work,” he stated.
Manet added that the government’s technical border specialists were fully prepared to engage in direct discussions with Um Sam An and his team.
He expressed hopes that the former opposition leader would accept the invitation and not cite “security concerns” or other reasons as obstacles to participating in the discussions.
The area between boundary pillars 52 and 59 has become a subject of debate following allegations concerning the locations of temporary markers and their potential implications for Cambodia’s territorial integrity.
Claims that the placement of temporary markers has resulted in territorial losses cannot be established solely on the statements of either side, however.
Assessing the claims will require an examination of relevant legal documents, boundary maps and technical data.
In particular, the placement of temporary markers for technical purposes and the formal demarcation of an international boundary are distinct processes.
Clarification from authorities will be necessary to determine the legal status and implications of the activities in question.
Manet’s invitation also raises questions about to what extent the government can make information and evidence concerning border demarcation available to the public while negotiations with Thailand remain unresolved.
Despite this, Sam An’s social media accounts shared the prime minister’s message.
