ID :
12373
Sun, 07/13/2008 - 19:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/12373
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Thailand loses no territory in Khmer temple dispute: Pongpol
BANGKOK, July 12 (TNA) - In an attempt to erase concerns ranging from doubt, to anger and outrage, among members of the Thai public regarding the ancient Preah Vihear temple, Pongpol Adireksarn, chairman of Thailand's World Heritage Committee, told the opposition Democrat Party on Saturday that Thailand did not lose any sovereignty after UNESCO opted to award the temple World Heritage Site status.
Stressing that he was willing to explain to any platform, except to the ongoing anti-government rally organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Mr. Pongpol told Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and senior members of the party there was a need to elaborate on the issue as it could affect relations between Thailand and Cambodia.
He reportedly them that the decision by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to list the Preah Vihear temple as the World Heritage Site on Monday would "not affect Thailand and the country doesn't losesovereignty" over the surrounding area disputed by both countries.
Everything remains unchanged from what it was 46 years ago, said Mr. Pongpol.
The 11th century Preah Vihear temple alone was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962 following a legal battle between the two countries.
Mr. Pongpol said the countries would have to work out the territorial dispute together.
Stressing that he was willing to explain to any platform, except to the ongoing anti-government rally organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Mr. Pongpol told Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and senior members of the party there was a need to elaborate on the issue as it could affect relations between Thailand and Cambodia.
He reportedly them that the decision by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to list the Preah Vihear temple as the World Heritage Site on Monday would "not affect Thailand and the country doesn't losesovereignty" over the surrounding area disputed by both countries.
Everything remains unchanged from what it was 46 years ago, said Mr. Pongpol.
The 11th century Preah Vihear temple alone was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962 following a legal battle between the two countries.
Mr. Pongpol said the countries would have to work out the territorial dispute together.
