ID :
12384
Sun, 07/13/2008 - 20:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/12384
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Opposition urges government to parlay with Phnom Penh over disputed temple
BANGKOK, July 12 (TNA) - Thailand's opposition party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday urged the government to speedily meet with theCambodian government regarding the disputed zone adjacent to Preah Vihear temple, approved by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site earlier this week.
Mr. Abhisit said after meeting with Pongpol Adireksarn, chairman of Thailand's World Heritage Committee, what he was most concerned over was that Cambodia would be responsible for drawing the map and preparing a plan to manage the 11th century temple.
Management of the temple alone is not possible and it would cover several other things in the vicinity of the temple, he said. The most urgent task for the Thai government is to talk with Cambodia to be assured that construction of any facilities in support of the temple must not violate Thai territory or otherwise affect bilateral relations.
He said the Thai government must also inform the international community that the joint communiqué, signed by Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18, violated the Thai constitution.
If Thailand accepted the joint communiqué, it could be interpreted that this country also accepts the map and the boundary to be prepared by the Phnom Penh government, he said.
There were several unusual items approved by the World Heritage Committee during its meeting last week, including an exemption of the deadline in submitting documents related to the temple by the Cambodian government and a suggestion by an independent organiaation that registration of the temple alone as the World Heritage Site was not a positive idea as it should include its surrounding area.
Mr. Abhisit said his party would continue to investigate the temple matter and what he had found so far was that if the joint communiqué would take effect, more damage would fall upon Thailand.
Mr. Abhisit said after meeting with Pongpol Adireksarn, chairman of Thailand's World Heritage Committee, what he was most concerned over was that Cambodia would be responsible for drawing the map and preparing a plan to manage the 11th century temple.
Management of the temple alone is not possible and it would cover several other things in the vicinity of the temple, he said. The most urgent task for the Thai government is to talk with Cambodia to be assured that construction of any facilities in support of the temple must not violate Thai territory or otherwise affect bilateral relations.
He said the Thai government must also inform the international community that the joint communiqué, signed by Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18, violated the Thai constitution.
If Thailand accepted the joint communiqué, it could be interpreted that this country also accepts the map and the boundary to be prepared by the Phnom Penh government, he said.
There were several unusual items approved by the World Heritage Committee during its meeting last week, including an exemption of the deadline in submitting documents related to the temple by the Cambodian government and a suggestion by an independent organiaation that registration of the temple alone as the World Heritage Site was not a positive idea as it should include its surrounding area.
Mr. Abhisit said his party would continue to investigate the temple matter and what he had found so far was that if the joint communiqué would take effect, more damage would fall upon Thailand.
