Thai FM defends endorsing Cambodia temple communique

BANGKOK, June 21 (TNA) - Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama on Friday clarified to the Senate his endorsement of a joint communique with Cambodia earlier this week allowing the Phnom Penh government to apply for registration of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.

In responding to a query posted by Senator Priyanandana Rangsit why the
Thai government supported its neighbour Cambodia on applying for the
listing of the temple as the World Heritage site, Mr. Noppadon said it was
unnecessary for him to explain to Parliament members earlier because the
joint communique was "not an agreement" and it did not affect any changes
of territory of the two countries.

The Thai-Cambodian joint communique was signed behind closed doors here on
Wednesday, leading to public suspicion that Thailand could have lost the
undemarcated 4.6 square kilometres surrounding the Hindu temple to
Cambodia.

Citing time constraints because the Phnom Penh government is planning to
apply for the listing of Preah Vihear temple next month, Mr. Noppadon said
what he did was transparent and there was no conflict of interest.

In another development, the Senate decided not to hold a special meeting
Monday after the government had informed that it was not possible to
attend the general debate petition lodged by 61 senators charging the less
than five-months-old administration with poor performance.

The government has said it would not be available for the general debate
because it would be busy preparing the government budget for fiscal 2009,
starting this October 1. The budget debate starts next Wednesday.

The cabinet Tuesday approved closing the current House extraordinary
session on June 28. (TNA)