ID :
191264
Mon, 06/27/2011 - 09:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/191264
The shortlink copeid
PM confirms Thailand's withdrawal from WHC
BANGKOK, June 27 (TNA) - Thai caretaker prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed Thailand’s decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Committee under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), saying that it is in line with an earlier resolution of the Thai Cabinet.
Abhisit said that Suwit, who had returned to Bangkok, would officially report the decision to the Thai Cabinet at its weekly meeting on Monday, and that Thailand's new government after the forthcoming general election on July 3, would continue to deal with the matter.
Suwit announced at 11:55pm on Saturday that the Thai delegation had informed the World Heritage Committee that Thailand had decided to withdraw its membership from the UN panel, saying that the Thai side had to make the decision after the World Heritage Committee ignored Thailand's concerns over its consideration of a management plan of the Preah Vihear Temple unilaterally proposed by Cambodia.
According to Article 35 of the World Heritage Convention, any member deciding to withdraw its membership from the UN panel is to submit its written notification to the UNESCO's director-general and the withdrawal takes effect 12 months after the UNESCO's chief receives the written notice.
The decision will not affect financial obligations of the member until the date on which the withdrawal legally takes effect. Abhisit, however, thanked the UNESCO's chief and several countries for having attempted to find a solution which would be acceptable to both Thailand and Cambodia in the disagreement on the Cambodian proposed management plan for the ancient Preah Vihear Temple.
The Thai caretaker premier also thanked Suwit for his role as the leader of the Thai delegation, acknowledging that Thailand would still welcome any talk with the UNESCO and that any move involving the Preah Vihear Temple which requires passage into Thai territory would need Thailand's official permission.
Abhisit insisted that Thailand has remained firm on its call for Cambodia to withdraw its troops from an unsettled area surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple, as it is against the World Heritage convention for any member to station its troops at any World Heritage site. (TNA)
Abhisit said that Suwit, who had returned to Bangkok, would officially report the decision to the Thai Cabinet at its weekly meeting on Monday, and that Thailand's new government after the forthcoming general election on July 3, would continue to deal with the matter.
Suwit announced at 11:55pm on Saturday that the Thai delegation had informed the World Heritage Committee that Thailand had decided to withdraw its membership from the UN panel, saying that the Thai side had to make the decision after the World Heritage Committee ignored Thailand's concerns over its consideration of a management plan of the Preah Vihear Temple unilaterally proposed by Cambodia.
According to Article 35 of the World Heritage Convention, any member deciding to withdraw its membership from the UN panel is to submit its written notification to the UNESCO's director-general and the withdrawal takes effect 12 months after the UNESCO's chief receives the written notice.
The decision will not affect financial obligations of the member until the date on which the withdrawal legally takes effect. Abhisit, however, thanked the UNESCO's chief and several countries for having attempted to find a solution which would be acceptable to both Thailand and Cambodia in the disagreement on the Cambodian proposed management plan for the ancient Preah Vihear Temple.
The Thai caretaker premier also thanked Suwit for his role as the leader of the Thai delegation, acknowledging that Thailand would still welcome any talk with the UNESCO and that any move involving the Preah Vihear Temple which requires passage into Thai territory would need Thailand's official permission.
Abhisit insisted that Thailand has remained firm on its call for Cambodia to withdraw its troops from an unsettled area surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple, as it is against the World Heritage convention for any member to station its troops at any World Heritage site. (TNA)
