ខ្មែរពិភពលោក Cambodian World

History

People that wrote a brief history of Cambodia.
Adhemard Leclere
Brad Adams
Bruce Sharp
Caroline Hughes
Claude Jacques
Craig Etcheson
David P. Chandler
Das Mitra
Dean Peter Krogh
Dmitry Mosyakov
Elizabeth Becker
Francois Bizot
Ian Charles Harris
John Amos Marston
John Tully
Justin Corfield
Karen Coates
Kim Depaul
Marek Sliwinski
Marie Alexandrine Martin
Martin Florian Herz
Michael Vickery
Nancy Smith-Hefner
Nath Thayer
Patricia Fountaine
Penny Edwards
Peter Rodman
Philip Short
Phillipe Lafond
Porthira Chhim
Russell R. Ross
Seanglim Bit
Sichan Siv
Stephen J. Morris
Sucheng Chan
William Shawcross
Zhou Daguan

The history of Cambodia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Cambodia 

Click on map to zoom.

Khmer Empire 802 to 1431.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Empire < click

The Khmer Empire, now known as Cambodia, was the most powerful empire in Southeast Asia. The empire, which grew out of the former kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or vassalized parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand, and southern Vietnam.[1] During the formation of the empire, the Khmer had close cultural, political and trade relations with Java,[2] and later with the Srivijaya empire that lay beyond Khmer's southern border. Its greatest legacy is Angkor, in present-day Cambodia, which was the site of the capital city during the empire's zenith. Angkor bears testimony to the Khmer empire's immense power and wealth, as well as the variety of belief systems that it patronised over time. The empire's official religions included Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, until Theravada Buddhism prevailed, even among the lower classes, after its introduction from Sri Lanka in the 13th century.[3] Recently satellite imaging has revealed Angkor to be the largest pre-industrial urban center in the world.[4]

The history of Angkor as the central area of settlement of the historical kingdom of Kambujadesa is also the history of the Khmer from the 9th to the 13th centuries.[5] Arab writers of the 9th and 10th century hardly mention Europe for anything other than its backwardness but they consider the king of Al-Hind (India and Southeast Asia) as one of the 4 great kings in the world.[6] The ruler of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty is described as the greatest king of Al-Hind but moreover even the lesser kings of Al-Hind including the kings of Java, Pagan Burma and the Khmer kings of Cambodia are invariably depicted by the Arabs as extremely powerful and as being equipped with vast armies of men, horses and often tens of thousands of elephants. They are also known to be in the possession of vast treasures of gold and silver.

From Kambuja itself — and so also from the Angkor region — no written records have survived other than stone inscriptions. Therefore the current knowledge of the historical Khmer civilization is derived primarily from:

archaeological excavation, reconstruction and investigation
stone inscriptions (most important are foundation steles of temples), which report on the political and religious deeds of the kings
reliefs in a series of temple walls with depictions of military marches, life in the palace, market scenes and also the everyday lives of the population
reports and chronicles of Chinese diplomats, traders and travellers.
The beginning of the era of the Khmer Empire is conventionally dated to 802 AD. In this year, king Jayavarman II had himself declared chakravartin ("king of the world", or "king of kings") on Phnom Kulen.

Contents  
1 Culture and society
2 History
2.1 Jayavarman II — the founder of Angkor
2.2 Yasodharapura — the first city of Angkor
2.3 Suryavarman II — Angkor Wat
2.4 Jayavarman VII — Angkor Thom
2.5 Jayavarman VIII — the last blooming
3 Gallery of Temples
4 See also
5 References
6 Bibliography
7 External links
Culture and society

Khmer market on Bayon
Much of what is known of the ancient Khmers comes from the many stone murals and also first hand accounts from Zhou Daguan. They offer first hand accounts of the 13th century and earlier. The ancient Khmers relied heavily on rice growing. The farmers planted rice near the banks of the Tonlé Sap or in the hills when it was flooded. The farms were irrigated by Barays, or giant water reservoirs and canals. Sugar palm trees, fruit trees and vegetables were grown in the villages. Fishing gave the population their main source of protein, which was turned into Prahok or dried or roasted or steamed in banana leaves. Rice was the main staple along with fish. Pigs, cattle and poultry were kept under the farmers houses as they were on stilts to keep away from flooding. Houses of farmers were situated near the rice paddies on the edge of the cities, the walls were of woven bamboo, thatched roofs and were on stilts. A house was divided into three by woven bamboo walls. One was the parents' bedroom, another was the daughters' bedroom, and the largest was the living area. The sons slept wherever they could find space. The kitchen was at the back or a separate room. Nobles and kings lived in the palace and much larger houses in the city. They were made of the same materials as the farmers' houses, but the roofs were wooden shingles and had elaborate designs as well as more rooms. The common people wore a sampot which the front end was drawn between the legs and secured at the back by a belt. Nobles and kings wore finer and richer fabrics. Women wore a strip of cloth to cover the chest while noble women had a lengthened one that went over the shoulder. Men and women wore a Krama. The main religion was Hinduism, followed by Buddhism in popularity. Vishnu and Shiva were the favorite deities.

History

Jayavarman II — the founder of Angkor

Jayavarman II (r. 790-850) is widely regarded as a king who set the foundations of the Angkor period in Cambodian history, beginning with a grandiose consecration ritual that he conducted in 802 on the sacred Mount Mahendraparvata, now known as Phnom Kulen, to celebrate the independence of Kambuja from Javanese dominion.[8] At that ceremony Prince Jayavarman II was proclaimed a universal monarch (Kamraten jagad ta Raja in Cambodian) or God King (Deva Raja in Sanskrit). According to some sources, Jayavarman II had resided for some time in Java during the reign of Sailendras, or "The Lords of Mountains", hence the concept of Deva Raja or God King was ostensibly imported from Java. At that time, Sailendras allegedly ruled over Java, Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and parts of Cambodia.

The first pieces of information on Jayavarman II came from K.235 stone inscription on a stele in Sdok Kok Thom temple, Isan region, dating 1053. it recounts two and a half centuries of service that members of the temple's founding family provided for the Khmer court, mainly as chief chaplains of the Shaivite Hindu religion.
  
Temple and mausoleum dedicated to King Yasovarman
According to an older established interpretation, Jayavarman II was supposed to be a prince who lived at the court of Sailendra in Java (today's Indonesia) and brought back to his home the art and culture of the Javanese Sailendran court to Cambodia.[10] This classical theory was revisited by modern scholars, such as Claude Jacques[11] and Michael Vickery, who noted that Khmer called chvea the Chams, their close neighbours.[12] Moreover Jayavarman's political career began at Vyadhapura (probably Banteay Prei Nokor) in eastern Cambodia, which make more probable long time contacts with them (even skirmishes, as the inscription suggests) than a long stay in distant Java.[13] Finally, many early temples on Phnom Kulen shows both Cham (e.g. Prasat Damrei Krap) and Javanese influences (e.g. the primitive "temple-mountain" of Aram Rong Cen and Prasat Thmar Dap), even if their asymmetric distribution seems typically khmer.

After he eventually returned to his home, the former kingdom of Chenla, he quickly built up his influence, conquered a series of competing kings, and in 790 became king of a kingdom called "Kambuja" by the Khmer. In the following years he extended his territory and eventually established his new capital of Hariharalaya near the modern Cambodian town of Roluos. He thereby laid the foundation of Angkor, which was to arise some 15 km to the northwest. In 802 he declared himself Chakravartin, in a ritual taken from the Indian-Hindu tradition. Thereby he not only became the divinely appointed and therefore uncontested ruler, but also simultaneously declared the independence of his kingdom from Java. Jayavarman II died in the year 834 and he was succeeded by his son Jayavarman III.[15] Jayavarman III died in 877 and was succeeded by Indravarman I.

Yasodharapura — the first city of Angkor
  
Archers mounted on elephants
  
Thommanon Temple
The successors of Jayavarman II continually extended the territory of Kambuja. Indravarman I (reigned 877 – 889) managed to expand the kingdom without wars, and he began extensive building projects, thanks to the wealth gained through trade and agriculture. Foremost were the temple of Preah Ko and irrigation works. He was followed by his son Yasovarman I (reigned 889 – 915), who established a new capital, Yasodharapura – the first city of Angkor. The city's central temple was built on Phnom Bakheng, a hill which rises around 60 m above the plain on which Angkor sits. Under Yasovarman I the East Baray was also created, a massive water reservoir of 7.5 by 1.8 km.
  
11th century Cambodian sculpture of the Buddha
At the beginning of the 10th century the kingdom split. Jayavarman IV established a new capital at Koh Ker, some 100 km northeast of Angkor. Only with Rajendravarman II (reigned 944 – 968) was the royal palace returned to Yasodharapura. He took up again the extensive building schemes of the earlier kings and established a series of temples in the Angkor area, not the least being the East Mebon, on an island in the middle of the East Baray, and several Buddhist temples and monasteries. In 950, the first war took place between Kambuja and the kingdom of Champa to the east (in the modern central Vietnam).

The son of Rajendravarman II, Jayavarman V, reigned from 968 to 1001. After he had established himself as the new king over the other princes, his rule was a largely peaceful period, marked by prosperity and a cultural flowering. He established a new capital slightly west of his father's and named it Jayendranagari; its state temple, Ta Keo, was to the south. At the court of Jayavarman V lived philosophers, scholars, and artists. New temples were also established: the most important of these are Banteay Srei, considered one of the most beautiful and artistic of Angkor, and Ta Keo, the first temple of Angkor built completely of sandstone.

A decade of conflict followed the death of Jayavarman V. Kings reigned for only for a few years and were replaced violently by their successors until Suryavarman I (reigned 1010 – 1050) gained the throne. Suryavarman I established diplomatic relations with the Chola dynasty of south India. Suryavarman I sent a chariot as a present to the Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I.[16] His rule was marked by repeated attempts by his opponents to overthrow him and by military conquests. He extended the kingdom in the west to the modern Lopburi in Thailand, and in the south to the Kra Isthmus. At Angkor, construction of the West Baray began under Suryavarman I, the second and even larger (8 by 2.2 km) water reservoir after the Eastern Baray. No one knows if he had children or wives.

Suryavarman II — Angkor Wat

Buddhist monks at Angkor Wat

Bronze replica of one of the twenty-three stone images King Jayavarman VII sent to different parts of his kingdom in 1191.
The 11th century was a time of conflict and brutal power struggles. Only with Suryavarman II (reigned 1113–1150) was the kingdom united internally and extended externally[citation needed]. Under his rule, the largest temple of Angkor was built in a period of 37 years: Angkor Wat, dedicated to the god Vishnu. Suryavarman II conquered the Mon kingdom of Haripunjaya to the west (in today's central Thailand), and the area further west to the border with the kingdom of Bagan (modern Burma), in the south further parts of the Malay peninsula down to the kingdom of Grahi (corresponding roughly to the modern Thai province of Nakhon Si Thammarat), in the east several provinces of Champa and the countries in the north as far as the southern border of modern Laos. Suryavarman II sent a mission to the Chola dynasty of south India and presented a precious stone to the Chola Emperor Kulothunga Chola I in 1114 CE.[17] Suryavarman II's end is unclear. The last inscription, which mentions his name in connection with a planned invasion of Vietnam, is from the year 1145. He died during a failed military expedition in Đại Việt territory around 1145 and 1150.

There followed another period in which kings reigned briefly and were violently overthrown by their successors. Finally in 1177 Kambuja was defeated in a naval battle on the Tonlé Sap lake by the army of the Chams, and was incorporated as a province of Champa.

Jayavarman VII — Angkor Thom

Prasat Bayon
The future king Jayavarman VII (reigned 1181–1219) was already a military leader as prince under previous kings. After the Cham had conquered Angkor, he gathered an army and regained the capital, he attacked his father thinking it was his destiny to be king, he ascended the throne and continued the war against the neighbouring eastern kingdom for a further 22 years, until the Khmer defeated Champa in 1203 and conquered large parts of its territory.

Jayavarman VII stands as the last of the great kings of Angkor, not only because of the successful war against the Cham, but also because he was no tyrannical ruler in the manner of his immediate predecessors, because he unified the empire, and above all because of the building projects carried out under his rule. The new capital now called Angkor Thom (literally: "Great City") was built. In the centre, the king (himself a follower of Mahayana Buddhism) had constructed as the state temple the Bayon, with its towers bearing faces of the boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara, each several metres high, carved out of stone. Further important temples built under Jayavarman VII were Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei and Neak Pean, as well as the reservoir of Srah Srang. Alongside, an extensive network of streets was laid down, which connected every town of the empire. Beside these streets 121 rest-houses were built for traders, officials and travellers. Not least of all, he established 102 hospitals.

Jayavarman VIII — the last blooming
  
Baphuon, a temple-mountain dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.
After the death of Jayavarman VII, his son Indravarman II (reigned 1219–1243) ascended the throne. Like his father, he was a Buddhist, and completed a series of temples begun under his father's rule. As a warrior he was less successful. In the year 1220, under mounting pressure from increasingly powerful Đại Việt, and its Cham alliance, the Khmer withdrew from many of the provinces previously conquered from Champa. In the west, his Thai subjects rebelled, established the first Thai kingdom at Sukhothai and pushed back the Khmer. In the following 200 years, the Thais would become the chief rivals of Kambuja. Indravarman II was succeeded by Jayavarman VIII (reigned 1243–1295). In contrast to his predecessors, he was a devotee of the Hindu deity Shiva, and an aggressive opponent of Buddhism[citation needed]. He destroyed most of the Buddha statues in the empire (archaeologists estimate the number at over 10,000, of which few traces remain) and converted Buddhist temples to Hindu temples.[citation needed] From the outside, the empire was threatened in 1283 by the Mongols under Kublai Khan's general Sogetu (sometimes known as Sagatu or Sodu) who was the governor of Guangzhou, China.[18] It was small detachment from the main campaign against Champa and Dai Viet. The king avoided war with his powerful opponent, who at this time ruled over all China, by paying annual tribute to him.[18] Jayavarman VIII's rule ended in 1295 when he was deposed by his son-in-law Srindravarman (reigned 1295–1309). The new king was a follower of Theravada Buddhism, a school of Buddhism which had arrived in southeast Asia from Sri Lanka and subsequently spread through most of the region.
  
Prasat Phnom Rung, the site of an ancient Khmer city
In August 1296, the Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan arrived at Angkor, and remained at the court of king Srindravarman until July 1297. He was neither the first nor the last Chinese representative to visit Kambuja. However, his stay is notable because Zhou Daguan later wrote a detailed report on life in Angkor. His portrayal is today one of the most important sources of understanding of historical Angkor. Alongside descriptions of several great temples (the Bayon, the Baphuon, Angkor Wat, for which we have him to thank for the knowledge that the towers of the Bayon were once covered in gold), the text also offers valuable information on the everyday life and the habits of the inhabitants of Angkor.
  
Seated Buddha from the 12th century.
From the year 1327 on, no further large temples were established. Historians suspect a connection with the kings' adoption of Theravada Buddhism: they were therefore no longer considered "devarajas", and there was no need to erect huge temples to them, or rather to the gods under whose protection they stood. The retreat from the concept of the devaraja may also have led to a loss of royal authority and thereby to a lack of workers. The water-management apparatus also degenerated, meaning that harvests were reduced by floods or drought. While previously three rice harvests per years were possible — a substantial contribution to the prosperity and power of Kambuja — the declining harvests further weakened the empire.
  
Phimai, the site of an ancient Khmer city of Vimayapura
Its western neighbour, the first Thai kingdom of Sukhothai, after repelling Angkorian hegemony, was conquered by another stronger Thai kingdom in the lower Chao Phraya Basin, Ayutthaya, in 1350. From the fourteenth century, Ayutthaya became Angkor's rival. According to its accounts, Ayutthaya launched several attacks. Eventually it was said, Angkor was subjugated. Siamese army drew back, leaving Angkor ruled by local nobles, loyal to Ayutthaya. The story of Angkor faded from historical accounts from then on.

There is evidence that the "Black Death" had affected the situation described above, as the plague first appeared in China around 1330 and reached Europe around 1345. Most seaports along the line of travel from China to Europe felt the impact of the disease, which had a severe impact on life throughout South East Asia.

The new centre of the Khmer kingdom was in the southwest, at Oudong in the region of today's Phnom Penh. However, there are indications that Angkor was not completely abandoned. One line of Khmer kings could have remained there, while a second moved to Phnom Penh to establish a parallel kingdom. The final fall of Angkor would then be due to the transfer of economic — and therewith political — significance, as Phnom Penh became an important trade centre on the Mekong. Costly construction projects and conflicts over power between the royal family sealed the end of the Khmer empire.

Ecological failure and infrastructural breakdown is a new alternative answer to the end of the Khmer Empire. Scientists working on the Greater Angkor Project believe that the Khmers had an elaborate system of reservoirs and canals used for trade, travel and irrigation. The canals were used for the harvesting of rice. As the population grew there was more strain on the water system. Failures include water shortage and flooding. To adapt to the growing population, trees were cut down from the Kulen hills and cleared out for more rice fields. That created rain runoff carrying sediment to the canal network. Any damage to the water system would have enormous consequences.

 In any event, there is evidence for a further period of use for Angkor.  Under the rule of king Barom Reachea I (reigned 1566-1576), who temporarily succeeded in driving back the Thai, the royal court was briefly returned to Angkor.  From the 17th century there are inscriptions which testify to Japanese settlements alongside those of the remaining Khmer.  The best-known tells of Ukondafu Kazufusa, who celebrated the Khmer New Year there in 1632. 


The history of KAMPUCHEA KROM

The Vietnamese renamed the Kampuchea Krom provinces.

Beginning in the early 17th century, colonization of the area by Vietnamese settlers gradually isolated the Khmer of the Mekong Delta from their brethren in Cambodia proper and resulted in their becoming a minority in the delta.

Prey Nokor was the most important commercial seaport to the Khmers. It began as a small fishing village, and was inhabited by Khmer people for centuries before the arrival of the Vietnamese. The city's name was changed by Vietnam to Sài Gòn and then Hồ Chí Minh City. The loss of the city prevented the Cambodians from access to the South China Sea. Subsequently, the Khmers' access to the sea was now limited to the Gulf of Thailand. The area that Saigon/Hồ Chí Minh City now occupies was originally swampland.

In 1623, King Chey Chettha II of Cambodia (1618–1628) allowed Vietnamese refugees fleeing the Trịnh–Nguyễn War in Vietnam to settle in the area of Prey Nokor, and to set up a custom house at Prey Nokor. Increasing waves of Vietnamese settlers, which the Cambodian kingdom, weakened because of war with Thailand, could not impede, slowly Vietnamized the area. In time, Prey Nokor became known as Saigon.

In 1698, Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, a Vietnamese noble, was sent by the Nguyễn rulers of Huế to establish Vietnamese administrative structures in the area, and detach the area from Cambodia, which was not strong enough to intervene. Beginning in 1698, the area started to come under Vietnamese administration. The Vietnamese eventually were to become the majority population in many places[citation needed].

In 1757, the Vietnamese colonized the provinces of Psar Dèk (renamed Sa Đéc in Vietnamese) and Moat Chrouk (vietnamized to Châu Đốc)

In 1802 Nguyễn Ánh crowned himself emperor Gia Long and had unified all territories which are now modern Vietnam, including the Khmer Krom territory.

Cambodian nationalist Son Ngoc Thanh (1908–77) was a Khmer Krom, born in Trà Vinh, Vietnam. Cambodia got independence in Geneva, 1954, through the Vietnamese struggle in the First Indochina War.

Kampuchea Krom is rich in history and civilized culture before the Vietnamese settlers arrived on the northern border with Champa Kingdom.

Kampuchea Krom is the oldest land in Southeast Asia.

The Khmers called this part of the Khmer Empire [Present day Kingdom of Cambodia], Kampuchea Krom. Kampuchea Krom is also known as Lower Cambodia, Mekong Delta, or Cochin China. The Khmer populations of this beautiful landscapes share the same race, religion, national language, culture, custom, tradition, and great history as the Khmers in Cambodia. Kampuchea Krom is slightly smaller in size than her motherland, Kingdom of Cambodia.

Kampuchea Krom or Cochinchina becomes part of French Indochina on October 17, B.E. 2431, A.D. 1887.

KAMPUCHEA KROM AT A GLANCE

Kampuchea Krom is composed of 68,965 square kilometers (equivalent 26,628 square miles), 21 provinces and municipalities, two large islands - Koh Tral and Koh Tralach, 171 districts, 1,368 communes, 14,778 villages, more than 13 million Khmers, more than 567 Buddhist pagodas and more than 20,000 Theravada Buddhist monks and 99% of the populations are Theravada Buddhists.

The Khmer Kings, governments, regimes and citizens have never relinquish (give up) this part of their country to foreigners.

Kampuchea Krom has been under an ongoing colonial control since her division from motherland, Cambodia.

June 4, B.E.2493, A.D.1949 is the date that the Khmer Kampuchea Krom citizens grieve. The Khmer Kampuchea Krom people have organized Buddhist Service annually to honor the fallen Khmer Buddhist monks and heroes, who sacrificed their lives for Kampuchea Krom and Theravada Buddhism.

Colonial France divided, ceded and transferred Kampuchea Krom to colonial Vietnam on this date. The freedom of Khmer Kampuchea Krom has been mostly stripped by the Vietnamese ruling regimes and governments since. The French colonial administration committed injustice upon the more than 13 million Khmers of this beautiful fertile land.

Justice remains elusive for Cambodia, Kampuchea Krom and her citizens.

And...The struggle to regain freedom and human rights by the Khmers in Kampuchea Krom continues as long as injustice commits by the ruling Vietnamese regime(s) has not produced a fruitful result.

The followings are Khmer provincial, municipal and island names that the Vietnamese authorities have changed repeatedly.
 
1. Preah Trapeang province
Vietnam renamed to Tra Vinh
(Vinh Binh)
circa 1731, 1840 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
2. Khleang province
Vietnam renamed to Soc Trang
circa 1758, 1840 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
3. Mort Chrouk province
Vietnam renamed to Chau Doc
circa 1715, 1757 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
4. Kramuon Sor province
Vietnam renamed to Rach Gia
circa 1715, 1757, 1758 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
5. Pol Leav province
Vietnam renamed to Bac Lieu
circa 1840 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
6. Toek Khmau province
Vietnam renamed to Ca Mau
circa 1840 Vietnamese encroached and conquered

7. Peam Banteay Meas province
Vietnam renamed to Ha Tien
circa 1715 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
8. Prek Russey province
Vietnam renamed to Can Tho
circa 1758, 1840 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
9. Long Hor province
Vietnam renamed to Vinh Long
circa 1731 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
10. Peam Barach province
Vietnam renamed to Long Xuyen
circa 1715, 1731 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
11. Raung Domrei province
Vietnam renamed to Tay Ninh
circa 1770 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
12. Prey Nokor city
Vietnam renamed to Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon)
circa 1696 Vietnamese encroached and conquered

13. Tuol Tamoak province
Vietnam renamed to Thu Du Mot
circa 1696 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
14. Phsar Dek province
Vietnam renamed to Sadec
circa 1757 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
15. Changva Trapeang Sraka Trey province
Vietnam renamed to Bien Hoa
circa 1651 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
16. Me Sor province
Vietnam renamed to My Tho
circa 1731 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
17. Preah Suorkea province
Vietnam renamed to Baria
circa 1651 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
18. Koh Koang province
Vietnam renamed to Go Cong
circa 1731 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
19. Kampong Russey province
Vietnam renamed to Ben Tre
circa 1732 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
20. Kampong Kou province (New name)
Vietnam renamed to Tan An
circa 1669 Vietnamese encroached and conquered
 
21. O Kab province
Vietnam renamed to Vung Tau
circa 1651 Vietnamese encroached and conquered

22. Koh Tralach (Tralach Island)
Vietnam renamed to Con Dao (Con Son)
circa 1765 Vietnamese encroached and conquered

23. Koh Tral (Tral Island)
Vietnam renamed to Phu Quoc island
circa 1939 Vietnamese encroached and conquered

Koh Tral Island has an area of 567 square kilometers; about 62 kilometers long and between 3 kilometers and 28 kilometers wide. The island physically is located closest to Cambodia's Kep seaside city. Visitors can see Koh Tral Island from the coastline of Kep. It is about a 30-minute motorized boat ride.

The history of modern Cambodia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia < click

Cambodia (Listeni/kæmˈboʊdiə/;[7] Khmer: ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា, Kampuchea, IPA: [kɑmˈpuˈciə]), officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia and once known as the Khmer Empire, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Its total landmass is 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 sq mi), bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest.

With a population of over 14.8 million, Cambodia is the 70th most populous country in the world. The official religion is Theravada Buddhism, which is practiced by approximately 95% of the Cambodian population. The country's minority groups include Vietnamese, Chinese, Chams and 30 hill tribes.[8] The capital and largest city is Phnom Penh, the political, economic, and cultural center of Cambodia. The kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with Norodom Sihamoni, a monarch chosen by the Royal Throne Council, as head of state. The head of government is Hun Sen, who is currently the longest serving non-royal leader in South East Asia and has ruled Cambodia for over 25 years.

Cambodia's ancient name is "Kambuja" (Sanskrit: कंबुज).[9] In 802 AD, Jayavarman II declared himself king marking the beginning of the Khmer Empire which flourished for over 600 years allowing successive kings to dominate much of Southeast Asia and accumulate immense power and wealth. The Indianized kingdom built monumental temples such as Angkor Wat and facilitated the spread of first Hinduism, then Buddhism to much of Southeast Asia. After the fall of Angkor to Ayutthaya in the 15th century, Cambodia was ruled as a vassal between its neighbors until it became a protectorate by the French in the mid-19th century. Cambodia gained independence in 1953.

The Vietnam War extended into Cambodia, giving rise to the Khmer Rouge, which took Phnom Penh in 1975, carried out the Cambodian Genocide from 1975-1979 and then fought against the Vietnamese backed People's Republic of Kampuchea during the Cambodian–Vietnamese War (1979-1991). Following the 1991 Paris Peace Accords Cambodia was governed briefly by a United Nations mission (1992-1993) and after holding elections in which around 90% of the registered voters cast ballots the UN withdrew. The 1997 coup placed power in the hands of President Hun Sen and the Cambodian People's Party who remain in power as of 2013.

Cambodia has since had one of the best economic records in Asia, with economic growth averaging 6 percent for the last 10 years. Strong textiles, agriculture, construction, garments, and tourism sectors led to foreign investments and international trade.[10] In 2005, oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters.[11][needs update]

THE NOTES ON THE CAMBODIA-VIETNAM BOUNDARY MAPS AND THE DELIMITATION 1985/2005 TREATIES

November 6, 2005

Dr. BORA TOUCH (Lawyer and Border Expert)

1. In 1993 HRH Norodom Sihanouk inserted at Article 2 of the 1993 Constitution the following stipulation: “The territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia shall absolutely not be violated within its borders as defined in the 1:100,000 scale map made between the year 1933-1953 and internationally recognized between the years 1963 – 1969” (emphasis added).
2. His Majesty’s reference to the “1:100,000 scale map made between the year 1933-1953 and internationally recognized between the years 1963 – 1969” can be understood as follows.
3. The Cambodia-Thailand boundary (1:200,000 scale) maps were “made” in 1907, based on the 1904-1907 Treaty; however, the 1:200,000 maps were reexamined, re-verified, converted into a larger scale (1:100,000) and republished in the early 1950s.
4. The Cambodia-Laos Boundary maps were prepared in the 1930s and “made” in 1940-1950 and based on French Decrees in 1904-1929.
5. The Cambodia - (French) Cochinchina boundary was prepared in 1913-1914 (Svay Reing-E), 1920 (Tay Ninh-Memot etc), 1930 Hatien-Kampot. The maps were re-examined and verified and “made” in 1951-53. They were based on the 1870-1873 Decrees and a Convention.
6. The Cambodia-Annam boundary maps were prepared in the 1920s (Yali sheet) and in 1930s (Poste Maitre). The maps were re-examined, re-verified by air photography and were re-made in 1940s-1950s based on French Decrees.
7. The colonial Service Géographique de l’Indochine (“SGI”) 1:100,000 maps are not all accurate, but the larger U.S. Army Topographic Command, known as the Army Map Service (“AMS”) 1:50,000, also contains errors such in Dak Dam, Ap Phuoc Thien, Bu Gia Map, Khum Trapeang Phlong, Tan Chau sheets. The difference is that the SGI 1:100,000 maps were made by more than one party, but AMS 1:50,000 maps were the product of the United States government alone.
8. In the 1950s, Cambodia corrected errors in some sheets of the SGI 1:100,000 maps. In 1964, Cambodia submitted these corrections to the United Nations. The changes were internationally recognized in 1963-1969, especially by Vietnam. It was these maps to which the UN Security Council Decision (Doc.S/5741) of 4 June 1964 referred.
9. Maps “made from 1933-1953”, according to some experts, is a reference to both the pre-1933 SGI 1:100,000 maps and the SGI 1:100,000 maps made between 1933 and 1953. These maps were re-examined, re-verified and republished between 1933 and 1953.
10. In light of the above explanation, the phrase “the 1:100,000 maps made between the year 1933-1953” is understandable and legally defensible.
The political significance
11. By 1933, Cambodia’s boundaries with its three neighbors had already been delimited. There is therefore no need to have the Delimitation Treaty 1985 and the Delimitation Supplementary Treaty 2005.

The loss of land

12. On 13 June 2002, the Chairman of the Border Affairs Commission, H.E.Var Kim Hong reported to the National Assembly that based on the SGI 1:100,000 maps and those of the SGI 1:100,000 attached to the 1985 delimitation treaty, Cambodia lost 9,000 hectares; and based on the AMS 1:50,000 maps with those of 1:50,000 maps attached to the 1985 Treaty, Cambodia lost about 7,900 hectares.(Note: it is interesting that while H.E. Kim Hong was reporting on this particular points, Sok An coughed in an apparent attempt to interrupt him or to confuse the audience).
13. That said, before it can independently be ascertained whether Cambodia loses or gains land under the 1985 Treaty and the 2005 Supplementary Treaty, the relevant maps must be analyzed. The loss of land is to be compared with (A) the Cambodia’s internationally recognized (as corrected) boundary line of maps of 1964 which Cambodia submitted to United Nations and (B) Article 2 of the Constitution. In 1992, at the suggestion of the US State Department, Hun Sen gave all the “disputed” areas to Vietnam under the 1985 Treaty: See Nayan Chanda, “Land Erosion: Cambodians Question Status of Country’s Borders”: Far. E. Econ. Rev., Sept.3, 1992.
I. The Cambodia’s official Maps of 1964
14. As mentioned above, in 1964, the Royal Government of Cambodia submitted to the United Nations and all relevant foreign governments, including North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Thailand and Laos the following officially corrected pages of maps of 1:100,000 maps (“1964 maps”).
15. There are all 26 sheets made from 1933-1953
SGI 1:100,000 Scale maps:

Sheet Name: Sheet No: Province:
1. Dak To, 148-W, Ratanakiri
2. Yali, 156 -W, Ratanakiri
3. Bo Kham, 164-W, Ratanakiri
4. Bo Kham, 164-E, Ratanakiri
5. Ko Mayon, 172-E, Mondulkiri
6. Ko Màyon, 172-W, Mondulkiri
7. Bandon, 181-W, Mondulkiri
8. Bandon, 181-E, Mondulkiri
9. Poste-Maitre, 192-E, Mondulkiri
10. Poste-Maitre, 192-W, Mondulkiri
11. Sre Khtum, 191-E, Mondulkiri
12. Loc Ninh, 201-E, Kratie
13. Loc Ninh, 201-W, Kratie-Kampong Cham
14. Memot , 200-E, Kampong Cham
15. Memot , 200-W, Kampong Cham
16. Tay Ninh, 210-E, Kampong Cham
17. Tay Ninh, 210-W, Svay Rieng
18. Prey Veng, 209-E, Prey Veng
19. Trang Bang, 220-W, Svay Rieng
20. Trang Bang, 220-E, Svay Rieng
21. Svay Rieng, 219-E, Svay Rieng-Prey Veng
22. Svay Reing, 219-W, Prey Veng-Kandal
23. Takeo, 218-E, Kandal-Takeo
24. Hatien, 227-E, Takeo
25. Hatien, 227-W, Takeo-Kampot
26. Kampot, 226-E, Kampot.

16. The Royal Government of Cambodia (H.E. Var Kim Hong) had obtained a copy of the corrected maps from the United Nations and the Library of Congress (US) in 1994. In other words, the Government has a copy of these corrected maps in its possession.
17. The 40 sheets of maps of a scale of 1:50,000 were made by the AMS from 1966 to 1970. As mentioned above, in the 1960s, Cambodia rejected them because certain sheets contained errors in favor of South Vietnam (then closely allied to the US). However, the AMS did provide qualifications on these sheets when it believed that the relevant section of the boundary was indefinite or undefined by indicating the relevant section with a red line and a statement “boundary alignment indefinite”. The red line generally means the land was claimed by Cambodia in accordance with the 1964 maps and recognized by Communist Vietnam on 15 August 1966 and 31 May 1967 and 10 June 1969.
II. The AMS 1:50,000 Scale Maps, (40 sheets):
18. (Note: when these maps were produced in 1966-67, they were in format L 7011. They were revised after 1967 to conform to a 15’ by 15’ format, L 7017) Sheet.

1. Dak Mot Lop, 6538 –III, 1966
2. Polei Jar Sieng, 6537-IV, 1966
3. Phum Kham Dorang, 6437 -I, 1966
4. Phum Hay, 6437-II, 1970
5. Phum Thong, 6436-I, 1966
6. Le Thanh, 6536-IV, 1966
7. Pl. Ya Bo, 6536-III, 1966
8. Ya Lop, 6535-IV, 1966
9. Yok Mbre, 6535-III, 1966
10. Mereuch, 6435-II, 1966
11. O Tea, 6434-I, 1966
12. Bon Drang Phok, 6534-IV, 1966
13. Bon Dak N’Drot, 6534-III, 1966
14. Duc Minh, 6533-IV, 1966
15. Dak Dam, 6433-I, 1966
16. Ap Doan Van, 6433-II, 1966
17. O Rang, 6433-IV, 1966
18. Bu Gia Map, 6433-III, 1966
19. Ap Phuoc Thien, 6333-II, 1971
20. Meak Say, 6333-III, 1967
21. Loc Ninh, 6332-IV, 1968
22. Choam Kravien, 6232-I, 1971
23. Bo Tuc, 6232-II, 1966
24. Ta Dath, 6232-III, 1968
25. Me Mut, 6232-IV, 1971
26. Khum Tranpeang Phlong, 6132-II, 1966
27. Phum Kampong Trach 6131-I, 1970
28. Svay Rieng, 6131-II, 1970
29. An Thanh, 6231-III, 1969
30. Duc Hue, 6230-IV, 1966
31. Moc Hoa, 6130-I, 1966
32. Prey Nhay, 6131-III, 1966
33. Vinh Thang, 6130-IV, 1966
34. Hong Gnu, 6030-I, 1966
35. Tan Chau, 6030-IV, 1966
36. Chau Phu, 6030-III, 1970
37. Tinh Bien, 5930-II, 1971
38. Tuk Meas, 5930-III, 1971
39. Kien Luong, 5929-IV, 1966
40. Krong Kep, 5829-I, 1966

III. Maps attached to the 1985 Treaty.

19. There are two sets of maps attached to this Treaty: (a) AMS 1:50,000 scale maps, and (b) SGI 1:100,000 maps. (Note that it would be useful to see the 1:25,000 scale “confidential” map made by the parties to the1985 Treaty based on the two maps referred to in (a) and (b) above.) The same sheet names of the SGI 1:100,000 maps above were used for the boundary alignments drawn under this 1985 Treaty, although new alignments were adjusted in favor of Vietnam ignoring the alignments as corrected by Cambodia in 1964.
20. The SGI 1:100,000 maps below are maps stipulated in the Statistics of 1:100,000 scale Maps, “Attachment I”, 26 Sheets Which Both Parties agreed to use, Verified and Signed” dated 26 October 1985. These maps were not deposited with the UN and they are still classified as “Confidential.”
21. The 26 Sheets of SGI 1:100,000 are: Sheet Name. Sheet No. Production Date Remarks

1. Dac To-W, 148-W 1954-9 (Interim Map)
2. Yali-W, 196-W 1955-9 -- (SthVN)
3. Bokham-W, 164-W 1954-3 --
4. Bokham-E, 164-E 1953-10 --
5. Komayon-E, 172-E 1953-9 --
6. Komayon-W, 172-W 1952-5 -- (Bonne)
7. Bandon-W, 181-W 1953-4 (Official)
8. Bandon-E, 181-E 1953-11 --
9. Poste Maitre-E, 192-E 1953-10 --
10. Post Maitre-W, 192-W 1953-10 --
11. Sre Khtum-E, 191-E 1953-10 (Interim Map)
12. Loc Ninh-E, 201-E 1951-10 (Official)
13. Loc Ninh-W 201-W 1953-2 --
14. Mimot-E, 200-E 1951-10 --
15. Tay Ninh-E, 210-E 1951-11 --
16. Mimot-W, 200-W 1951-10 --
17. Tay Ninh-W, 210-W 1951-11 --
18. Prey Veng-E, 209-E 1952-6 --
19. Trang Bang-W, 220-W 1952-1 --
20. Trang Bang-W, 220-E 1952-2 --
21. Svay Rieng-E, 219-E 1951-2 --
22. Svay Rieng-W, 219-W 1951-2 --
23. Takeo-E, 218-E 1951-9 --
24. Hatien-E, 227-E 1953-1 --
25. Hatien-W, 227-W 1953-1 --
26. Kampot-E, 226-E 1951-1 –

22. Set out below are the 40 sheets that are also attached to the 1985 Treaty. These sheets are listed in the Statistic of 1:50,000 Scale Maps, “Attachment II”, Containing 40 Sheets Which Both Parties Agreed, Verified and Signed, dated 26 October 1985.
Sheet Name Sheet No. Production date. Remarks.

1. Dak Mot Lop, 6538 –III, 1970-1971*
2. Polei Jar Sieng, 6537-IV, 1971 *
3. Phum Kham Dorang, 6437 -I, 1966
4. Phum Hay, 6437-II, 1970
5. Phum Thong, 6436-I, 1966
6. Le Thanh, 6536-IV, 1966
7. Pl. Ya Bo, 6536-III, 1966
8. Ya Lop, 6535-IV, 1966
9. Yok Mbre, 6535-III, 1966
10. Mereuch, 6435-II, 1966
11. O Tea, 6434-I, 1966
12. Bon Drang Phok, 6534-IV, 1966
13. Bon Dak N’Drot, 6534-III, 1970 *
14. Duc Minh, 6533-IV, 1966
15. Dak Dam, 6433-I, 1966
16. Ap Doan Van, 6433-II, 1966
17. O Rang, 6433-IV, 1969
18. Bu Gia Map, 6433-III, 1971 *
19. Ap Phuoc Thien, 6333-II, 1971
20. Meak Say, 6333-III, 1967
21. Loc Ninh, 6332-IV, 1970
22. Choam Kravien, 6232-I, 1971
23. Bo Tuc, 6232-II, 1975**Made by SthVn. Army.
24. Ta Dath, 6232-III, 1969
25. Me Mut, 6232-IV, 1971
26. Khum Tranpeang Phlong, 6132-II, 1970
27. Phum Kam Pong Trach, 6131-I, 1971
28. Svay Rieng, 6131-II, 1971
29. An Thanh, 6231-III, 1969
30. Duc Hue, 6230-IV, 1975**Made by SthVn Army
31. Moc Hoa, 6130-I, 1971 *
32. Prey Nhay, 6131-III, 1966
33. Vinh Thanh, 6130-IV, 1969
34. Hong Gnu, 6030-I, 1966
35. Tan Chau, 6030-IV, 1966
36. Chau Phu, 6030-III, 1970
37. Tinh Bien, 5930-II, 1971
38. Tuk Meas, 5930-III, 1971
39. Kien Luong, 5929-IV, 1966
40. Krong Kep, 5829-I, 1966

[(*). Indicates a difference from the US Army Map Service first date of production. Also see the attached official document to 1985 Treayt-26/10/85. (**). Duc Hue and Bo Tuc sheets that were made in 1966 by AMS are more accurate than the Duc Hue and Bo Tuc sheets made by the South Vietnamese Army. Perhaps this was why they were used for this 1985 Treaty. Of note, there are 210 identifying points or coordinates from the dragon tail to the land boundary isthmus, (Krong Kep), but, strangely, the 1985 Treaty provides no identification points/coordinates at the dragon point and the isthmus. Does this mean to give the parties the opportunity to have joint ownership?]
23. In examining these sheets, one needs to bear in mind the relevant map-makers. South Vietnam had reproduced it own 1:50,000 map sheets which, in most cases, do not show the qualifications or disclaimers such as “boundary alignment indefinite” or “ Military Operational Boundary” in indicating with red line as appears on AMS sheets.
24. The US Army’s sheets do show these qualifications. After North Vietnam took over the South in 1975, in this regard, their attitude and conduct are the same as South Vietnam’s.
25. Additionally, the Royal Government’s corrected SGI 1:100,000 map sheets of 1964 to the UN show “definite” and clear boundary lines.
3. Maps of Supplementary Convention 2005. (To obtain the relevant documents, click here: 26. These six sheets attached to the Supplementary Convention are the product of the redrawn boundary line of the Treaty 1985. Again, the 1964 maps were not used.
(a) French SGI 1:100,000:

Sheet Name Sheet No.

1. Dak To 148-W
2. Yali 156-W
3. Bo Kham 164-W
4. Ko Mayol 172-W
5. Ban Don 181-W
6. Takeo 218-E

(b) Set out below are sheets of AMS (?) 1:50,000 scale map which correspond to the six sheets above:
Sheet Name Sheet No.

1. Phum Kham Dorang 6437-I
2. Phum Thong 6436-I
3. Ya Lop 6535-IV
4. Yok Mbre 6535-III
5. Mereuch 6435-II
6. Tan Chau 6030-IV

Note: there is no indication of the date of production on these maps. I think they are basically using the maps attached to 1985 Treaty above.

Comments on the seven sheets of map attached to the Supplementary Treaty.

27. The map sheet marked with “Feuille 1” on top of the map and at bottom is marked with “Echelle 1:80,000” is of an unknown source.
It appears that this is a revision of the larger scale, i.e. the Ya Lop sheet 6535-IV (1966) of AMS 1:50,000. It appears that the red line corresponds to the Cambodian map of 1964. This map contains the signature of Dith Munty (who was the Chairman of Delegation of PRK in the Mixed Border Commission) and Liu Van Loi (Chairman of the Vietnamese Delegation).
This map was signed 26 October 1985. This map is an official attachment to the PRK-Vietnam Delimitation Boundary Treaty, which was signed by Hun Sen and Nguyen Co Thach on 27 December 1985.

The two signatures at the bottom are new.

Map sheet marked with “Feuille 2”on top and “Echelle 1:80,000. La frontière révisée. Les deux Parties se sont mises d’accord pour réviser la ligne de frontière de ce tronçon lors du contrôle du transfert de la ligne de frontière de la carte Bonne à la carte UTM” is also an map (signed by Dith Munty and Liu Van Loi) attached to the 1985 Treaty. It is also a revision from the Mereuch 6435-II sheet (1966)

The two signatures at the bottom are new.

29. It appears that the red line moves to the east from the black line. This might have been made to suggest that Cambodia gained land. The fact is, however, that Cambodia did not gain land because this was what Cambodia claimed in the 1964 map which Vietnam then recognized in 1966, 1967 and 1969. The use of a small and unknown scale, 1:80,000, (being used here), as opposed to the larger scale 1:50,000, gives rise to suspicion.
28. The sheet marked “Annexe 2a”, and the sheet marked “Annexe 2b” appears to be the substantiated annexation to sheet “Feuille 2”.
29. The sheet marked with “Point 1”: As pointed out by the US State Department, the dispute came from the fact that “[the South] Vietnamese version of the boundary was based upon the new location of water divide that was developed from air photography flown in 1953. The Cambodian annotated version of [1964] was the ‘new’ south sheet (156-W) but an older north sheet. To make the boundaries meet, Cambodia deleted the printed boundary for the last mile on the south sheet and added, again to the west of the Vietnam version, a manuscript line to join the printed version of the older sheet: Cambodian-Vietnam Boundary, 5 March 1976, US State Department, p. 9.
31. This sheet “Point 1” appears to correspond with Cambodia’s 1964 version, if the “from Point A at the confluence of a stream without name, along the stream until reaches Point B” is not the stream of the South Vietnamese version. One needs to see the whole map to understand the difference or truth.
32. The sheet marked “Point 4”: This sheet is of SGI 1:100,000. “Point 4 sheet” corresponds with the 1964 Cambodian maps as confirmed by the US Government: “the Decree 1914 provides for the boundary to follow the “Dak Huyt to its source”. Approximately 10 miles for its source, the Dak Huyt formed by two tributaries: the Dak Huyt to the South and the Dak Dam to the North. All printed maps of pre-1954 show the latter, the Dak Dam, as the boundary. On the Cambodia annotated map furnished to the United State Embassy [in 1964] the printed boundary on this stream has been scratched out and a manuscript line added along the Dak Huyt. The Decree appears to substantiate [the Cambodia’s claim]” Id.
33. Again the “Point 4”sheet appears to correspond with the Cambodia 1964, but Vietnam does not accept it, although it had accepted it previously in 1966, 1967 and 1969. In his most recent (anti-King-Father) border campaign, P.M. Hun Sen was stating that the 1964 map at the UN, relating to this point, should be “audited” to confirm with his government’s position on this Point 4:( Radio Free Asia: 4/11/05). This is incorrect, to say the least. The 1964 UN maps deposited by His Majesty in 1964 were, as pointed out by the US State Department (Cambodia-Vietnam Boundary, 1976) and the CIA, Cambodia’s Boundary Problems, 1968), conformed with the 1914 French Decree. Hun Sen simply follows His Majesty’s position. The problem for Hun Sen is His Majesty’s position had been recognized by Vietnam in the 1960s, but Hun Sen’s 1985/2005 delimitation Treaties nullified the recognition and Vietnam does not recognize his demand.
34. The sheet marked:
A. “Point 5”
This sheet of also SGI 1:100,000.
As to this area, “this disputed area is a triangular-shaped and measures approximately 5 kilometers in length and approximately 500 meters in width. Differing interpretations of the Decree of 6 December 1936 appear to be the basis for the dispute”: Id. This “Point 5” does not appear to correspond with the UN 1964 Map.
B. “Point 6”
This is SGI 1:100,000 scale. This point is known as Koh Koki land. Cambodia often claimed this island, although the French took it and gave it to Cochinchina on 26 July 1942 (Declaration). If Vietnam accepted its declaration of 1966, 1967 and 1969, this land belongs to Cambodia. Now under 1985 Treaty and the new “deal” of 2005, it belongs to Vietnam.
C. “Point 7”
This is a SGI 1:100,000 map.
Under the 26 July 1942 Declaration, France returned to Cambodia a strip of land along Binh Gi (Bengel) river (200-meter in width and 2500-meter in length (about 50 hectares).
In a Royal Decree of 19 October 1942, His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk annexed the Binh Gi village and this “new” strip of land to Sampov Loun Sub-disctrict, Koh Thom District, Kandal Province. In the 1964 map, the boundary ran along the middle of this river.
Under the 1985 Treaty, this plot of land was given to Vietnam and the boundary line lied on the bank of Cambodian side. Under the new 2005 deal, it is back to Cambodia. This should not, however, have been an issue at all.
35. I fail to see how the current regime can claim that they have gained access to water as never before.
36. As mentioned above, by comparing all (the 26 sheets of SGI 1:100,000 and the 40 sheets of 1:50,000) attached to the 1985 Treaty and the 6 sheets of 1:100,000 and the 5 sheets of 1:50,000 attached to the Supplementary Treaty (2005) with the official sheets of 1964 Cambodian maps which were internationally recognized in 1964-1969, one can determine whether Cambodia has lost or gained land.
37. It is interesting to note that the Supplementary Treaty suggests that all of the
1:100,000 scale maps are of Bonne (Conique Projection). In my view, of the 26 sheets, only five are Bonne Projection. These five Memot-E, Memot-W, Prey Veng-E, Trang Bang-E, and Hatien-W. The rest of the 21 sheets are of UTM (Perpendicular Projection). The Supplementary treaty allows and legitimizes the new boundary line that is redrawn according to the 1985 delimitation treaty: Article 4(5).
General observation and questions
SGI 1:100,000 maps vs. AMS 1:50,000 maps.
38. Up to 1970, both Vietnam and Cambodia had recognized the SGI 1:100,000 Maps (“the Map”) as the official maps.
39. In 1964, Cambodia submitted these maps (corrected by the Royal Government) to the United Nations and all relevant foreign governments. Cambodia corrected the SGI 1:100,000 Maps because some sheets did not correspond to the French colonial Decrees, such as the 1914 Decree.
40. In the 1960s, the Royal Government rejected the US 1:50,000 map on the basis that it contained many “mistakes” in the favor the US ally, South Vietnam.
41. In 1966, 1967 and 1969, Vietnam, both North Vietnam and its National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, in separate declarations, recognized the SGI 1:100,000 maps as corrected by Cambodia.
42. The 1993, Constitution, Article 2, only recognizes the 1:100,000 Map (made 1933-1953) which was internationally recognized from 1963 to1969, as discussed above.
43. In 1975, (North) Vietnam changed its attitude and position by adopting the South Vietnam’s position on the 1:100,000 Map. It officially used both, AMS.
1:50,000 and SGI 1:100,000 maps. Since 1975, Vietnam produced the 1:50,000 map which adopted the US maps, which Cambodia had rejected in early 1960s.
44. Both maps were used to delimit the boundary under the Hun Sen/PRK Vietnam Boundary Delimitation Treaty (1985).
45. Both maps are being used in the Supplementary Convention.
46. by using the 1:50,000 maps and 1:100,000 maps made after 1953; there is no justification for Article 2 of the Constitution which implicitly prohibits its usage.
47. Article 26 of the Constitution vests in the Head of State the power to sign such a treaty/convention. Under the Constitution, the King is the Head of State. Accordingly, Hun Sen, as Prime Minister, is not empowered by the Constitution to sign treaties. As such, his signing of the Supplementary Convention breaches the Constitution.
48. Under international law, if the Parliament approves the Supplementary Treaty, Hun Sen’s unconstitutional action will be rectified or normalized: see Yearbook of International Law Commission (UN), 1966, II, p.243. It remains to be seen how many members of Parliament are willing to endorse this unconstitutional conduct.
The Cambodia-Vietnam Maritime Boundary
49. From independence 1953-1975, Cambodia strictly maintained its legitimate historical title to Koh Tral/Phu Quoc. It regarded the Vietnamese occupation of the island as a temporary colonization. It will be returned to Cambodia upon Vietnamese decolonization. France was only a double colonial power of 19th century. France decolonized Cambodia’s Cochinchia and Koh Tral in 1954. It will be remaining to be seen when Vietnam will follow France’ compulsory international law suit.
50. In 1964, along with SGI 1:100,000 maps, Cambodia also submitted a maritime boundary map of 1:300,000 scale to the United Nations and relevant government. On this map, Cambodia appeared to have accepted the Brevie Line (1939) as the minimum international boundary between Cambodia and Vietnam. In 1966, 1967, and 1969 Vietnam (NLFSN) formally accepted the Brevie Line as the maritime boundary.
51. In 1969, the Kingdom of Cambodia, under the leadership of HRH. Norodom Sihanouk, drew an international boundary in which Cambodia included Koh Tral as belonging to Cambodia: (the Royal Decree no. 70/C.E. 6 February1970).
52. During the Khmer Republic (18/3/1970-17/4/1975), Cambodia re-drew its international maritime boundary under the Presidential Decree1 July 1972. With regard to the boundary with Vietnam, the Khmer Republic basically adopted the 1969 boundary line: See attached map marked [“A”] as appears in HRH Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Les Limites du Domaine Maritime du Cambodge, Paris 1976. (Note: the current anti-Sihanouk campaign conveniently failed to show this document, nor did it mention the Royal Decree no.662/NS30/12/1957.)
53. The Democratique Kampuchea (“DK”) (1975-1979) did not claim Cambodia’s historical title to Koh Tral. DK wanted to accept the Brevie Line as the boundary as Vietnam had accepted. Vietnam, however, rejected and demanded more waters from Cambodia by using the equidistant line.
54. It is correct, however, to say that first time (Hun Sen of) Cambodia under a bilateral treaty (the so-called Historic Waters Agreement of 7 July 1982) gave a way Koh Tral without reserving Cambodia’s historical claim: see the attached official map, marked [“B”].
55. Furthermore, the Historic Waters Agreement 1982 gives Cambodia five serious problems, one of which is Article of 3 of the Agreement 1982, which, in effect, nullified the Vietnamese, 1966, 967 and 1969 Declaration.
56. Since 1975, Vietnam has been demanding the implementation of the line of equidistance be used to delimit the maritime boundary, which means that if Vietnam succeeds with its demand, Cambodia would lose over another 800 square nautical miles. (Note that this Historic Waters Agreement is incompatible with Article 2 of the Paris Peace Agreement (1991) and it should have be nullified by Cambodia after 1991: see Steve Ratner, “The Cambodia Settlement Agreements,” Am. Journal of Int’l Law (1993), p.18).
57. In light of the historic waters agreement, Cambodia has no chance of succeeding in defending the Brevie Line, let alone the Koh Tral and Poulo Panjang archipelago. The fact that Vietnam does not recognize the Brevie Line as the uti possidetis boundary, Cambodia, without the historic water agreement, can legitimately counter-claim for Koh Tral or the line as shown in the attached Map “A”.
59. Thus, the claim that the 1985 Treaty or the 1982 historic waters agreement does not affect Cambodia’s territorial integrity or interest is, in my view, is unsubstantiated, unjustified and a national disgrace.