ID :
11569
Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/11569
The shortlink copeid
Foreign Minister reaffirms legality of joint Preah Vihear communique
BANGKOK, July 5 (TNA) - Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama on Friday reaffirmed that Thailand's joint communique with Cambodia on the proposed listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site was not unconstitutional.
Speaking to reporters after giving testimony to the Constitution Court for
two hours, the foreign minister said the joint communique was not in
breach of Article 190 of the Constitution as the document was not an
international treaty.
A group of 77 senators on Monday asked the court to urgently determine
whether the joint communique signed by Mr. Noppadon, on behalf of the Thai
government, and by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18 was
in accordance with the Constitution or not.
Article 190 states that any treaties which affect Thailand's border
intergrity must be subject to parliament endorsement before signing.
Mr. Noppadon said he explained fully and clearly and that additional
documents will also be submitted to the court for its further
deliberation. The court scheduled its next hearing on Monday.
Last week, the Administrative Court handed down a temporary injunction
against the cabinet resolution to endorse the joint communique. The
cabinet then sought legal advice from the Council of State, Thailand's top
legal advisory agency on the issue.
The foreign minister said he would notify the 21-member World Heritage
Committee that Thailand would delay support for Cambodia until all legal
hurdles involving the Preah Vihear temple matter are cleared up.
The committee began its nine-day meeting in Quebec City, Canada on
Wednesday (July 2) and its session will continue until July 10. The Preah
Vihear temple issue is high on its agenda.
Mr. Noppadon will leave Bangkok on Saturday to attend the committee meeting.
As the foreign minister talked with reporters, a man stood outside the
court compound shouting "selling the nation" at him leading to a brief
verbal spat with a group of Mr. Noppadon supporters.
The embattled foreign minister dismissed the accusation, saying what he
had done was intended to protect the national interest. (TNA)
Speaking to reporters after giving testimony to the Constitution Court for
two hours, the foreign minister said the joint communique was not in
breach of Article 190 of the Constitution as the document was not an
international treaty.
A group of 77 senators on Monday asked the court to urgently determine
whether the joint communique signed by Mr. Noppadon, on behalf of the Thai
government, and by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18 was
in accordance with the Constitution or not.
Article 190 states that any treaties which affect Thailand's border
intergrity must be subject to parliament endorsement before signing.
Mr. Noppadon said he explained fully and clearly and that additional
documents will also be submitted to the court for its further
deliberation. The court scheduled its next hearing on Monday.
Last week, the Administrative Court handed down a temporary injunction
against the cabinet resolution to endorse the joint communique. The
cabinet then sought legal advice from the Council of State, Thailand's top
legal advisory agency on the issue.
The foreign minister said he would notify the 21-member World Heritage
Committee that Thailand would delay support for Cambodia until all legal
hurdles involving the Preah Vihear temple matter are cleared up.
The committee began its nine-day meeting in Quebec City, Canada on
Wednesday (July 2) and its session will continue until July 10. The Preah
Vihear temple issue is high on its agenda.
Mr. Noppadon will leave Bangkok on Saturday to attend the committee meeting.
As the foreign minister talked with reporters, a man stood outside the
court compound shouting "selling the nation" at him leading to a brief
verbal spat with a group of Mr. Noppadon supporters.
The embattled foreign minister dismissed the accusation, saying what he
had done was intended to protect the national interest. (TNA)
