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Institutional Design and Its Constraints: Explaining ASEAN's Role in the Temple of Preah Vihear Dispute

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2014

Hao Duy PHAN
Hao Duy PHAN*
Affiliation:
Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore, Singaporecilpdh@nus.edu.sg
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Abstract

This paper focuses on the role of ASEAN in maintaining peace and security in Southeast Asia. It uses the Temple of Preah Vihear dispute as a case-study to examine both ASEAN's successes and limitations in dealing with a crisis that threatened regional peace. The paper first examines ASEAN's initial response to the conflict and highlights a period of inaction that followed. It then traces ASEAN's renewed efforts to manage the conflict and assesses ASEAN's potential to resolve the dispute. The paper concludes that ASEAN did a remarkable job in facilitating negotiations and was instrumental in preventing the conflict from further escalation. It argues, however, that ASEAN's role remains limited: in particular, problems of institutional design reduce its effectiveness in managing conflicts and settling disputes. The paper concludes by making several suggestions to increase the effectiveness of the organization in maintaining regional peace and security.

Type
SYMPOSIUM: THE TEMPLE OF PREAH VIHEAR
Information
Asian Journal of International Law , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , January 2015 , pp. 7 - 15
Copyright
Copyright © Asian Journal of International Law 2014 

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Footnotes

*

Hao Duy Phan (S.J.D.) Senior Research Fellow, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore.

References

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11. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Cambodia, “H.E Hor Namhong's Letter to Vietnamese Foreign Minister and ASEAN Chair” (2010), online: Ministry of Foreign Affairs 〈http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/Products/2603-he-hor-namhongs-letter-to-vietnamese-foreign-minister-and-asean-chair.aspx〉.

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15. “Hun Sen Makes Plea to UN” Phnom Penh Post (7 February 2011), online: The Phnom Penh Post 〈http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen-makes-plea-un〉.

16. See ibid.

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20. Not all ASEAN Member States agreed with Indonesia's decision. Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo remarked to a diplomat that the organization should not be the regional referee, but rather should stay on the sidelines of the conflict and avoid the risk of failure. International Crisis Group, supra note 3 at 24.

21. Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand), Request for the Indication of Provisional Measures, Order of 18 July 2011, [2011] I.C.J. Rep. 537, online: International Court of Justice 〈http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/151/16564.pdf〉.

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23. Rules of Procedure of the High Council of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, 23 July 2001, Rule 3, online: ASEAN 〈www.ASEAN.org〉.

24. Ibid., Rule 8.

25. This is conditional upon the entry into force of the 2010 Protocol. In accordance with art. 19, the 2010 Protocol needs to be ratified by all ASEAN Member States to enter into force. As of January 2014, Vietnam has ratified the 2010 Protocol.

26. Supra note 13, art. 8(1).

27. Ibid., art. 8(4).

28. Ibid., art. 9(4).

29. Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand), Judgment of 11 November 2013, [2013] I.C.J. para. 108.

30. “Thailand to Oppose Temple Plan” Bangkok Post (15 November 2013), online: Bangkok Post 〈http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/379884/thailand-to-oppose-temple-plan〉.

31. Supra note 13, preamble.