Cambodian Historian Michel Tranet (Photo: RFA)Saturday, January 26, 2007
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Cambodian Historian Michel Tranet said that he cannot believe yet the report about whether Thailand opposes or not the listing of Preah Vihear Temple on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Michel Tranet said: “What do they (Thailand) actually mean? If this is true (that Thailand opposes Preah Vihear’s listing), then it is a shame for Thailand.” He said: “Preah Vihear Temple is on the Cambodian territory, and it was recognized by the world. Cambodia has the right to list it as a World Heritage Site.”
Michel Tranet does not believe that Thailand could think in this manner. He compares Thailand’s opposition of the listing of Preah Vihear in the World Heritage Site to an unfeasible feat, just like the demand to return the Khmer province of Surin (in Thailand), and the demand to return Kampuchea Krom (South Vietnam) back to Cambodia are unfeasible.
He also talked about the necessity of Cambodia and Thailand to live in brotherhood and they must cooperate with each other. He said that we can cooperate with each other if Thailand wants to develop Preah Vihear, but under Cambodia’s supervision, in that case “we welcome it.” Cambodia’s goal is to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site, and this action was welcomed and supported by the world, and in particular by a number of major countries in the world.
In mid-January, 8 counties and 8 National and International organizations met to discuss the results of research on the conservation development and the renovation of Preah Vihear Temple. This is a precursor to the upcoming proclamation of the inclusion of Preah Vihear in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, during the 32nd UNESCO plenary session meeting in 2008.
Nevertheless, the latest news published by Thailand’s The Nation newspaper on 25 January, indicated that after the publication of the spokesman of Thailand’s Defense Ministry, this spokesman and the spokesman of Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs came out to confirm that the previous declaration (made on 24 January) was a mistake and an error that could lead to the deterioration of the good relationships between the two countries.
The two Thai spokesmen said that army officials from Cambodia and Thailand spoke to each others over the phone and came to an understanding on this issue already.
Tharit Charungvat, spokesman for Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicated that the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site will take place normally, and that Thailand will not lose any territory from this listing. He claimed that the incident which took place does not affect the relationships between Cambodia and Thailand.
Michel Tranet said: “What do they (Thailand) actually mean? If this is true (that Thailand opposes Preah Vihear’s listing), then it is a shame for Thailand.” He said: “Preah Vihear Temple is on the Cambodian territory, and it was recognized by the world. Cambodia has the right to list it as a World Heritage Site.”
Michel Tranet does not believe that Thailand could think in this manner. He compares Thailand’s opposition of the listing of Preah Vihear in the World Heritage Site to an unfeasible feat, just like the demand to return the Khmer province of Surin (in Thailand), and the demand to return Kampuchea Krom (South Vietnam) back to Cambodia are unfeasible.
He also talked about the necessity of Cambodia and Thailand to live in brotherhood and they must cooperate with each other. He said that we can cooperate with each other if Thailand wants to develop Preah Vihear, but under Cambodia’s supervision, in that case “we welcome it.” Cambodia’s goal is to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site, and this action was welcomed and supported by the world, and in particular by a number of major countries in the world.
In mid-January, 8 counties and 8 National and International organizations met to discuss the results of research on the conservation development and the renovation of Preah Vihear Temple. This is a precursor to the upcoming proclamation of the inclusion of Preah Vihear in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, during the 32nd UNESCO plenary session meeting in 2008.
Nevertheless, the latest news published by Thailand’s The Nation newspaper on 25 January, indicated that after the publication of the spokesman of Thailand’s Defense Ministry, this spokesman and the spokesman of Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs came out to confirm that the previous declaration (made on 24 January) was a mistake and an error that could lead to the deterioration of the good relationships between the two countries.
The two Thai spokesmen said that army officials from Cambodia and Thailand spoke to each others over the phone and came to an understanding on this issue already.
Tharit Charungvat, spokesman for Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicated that the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site will take place normally, and that Thailand will not lose any territory from this listing. He claimed that the incident which took place does not affect the relationships between Cambodia and Thailand.
19 comments:
To Mechel Tranet,
Thank you for your confirming to the world or to Thai. They have no rights at all for this matter. We, on our side we need to develop any means to have access to our temple. Let them do or complain whatever they can. The world will see who is lack of moral or uneducate they are. They claim that they are well educated and more professional but they always lack of human rights. They have been abused and killed many Cambodian on the border. Come on get a grip. Think before you speak.
Khmer will win!
No way that to put Preah Vihear Temple to the world heritage, we need to ask Thai. This is Cambodian property. If they think they want to waste and risk war with Cambodia let them do it. We are ready. Thai are too chicken. I don't think their war will support it. No matter they Thai leaders go around the world to please other countries about this matter or not, the world already knew that this temple belong to Cambodian. They will look very shameful to the world. You are right Khmer will win over this matter and put the Thai face in the closet. If they think they are tough why don't they let their representative or the guy in the Thai embassy do their job or they afraid the Cambodian riots? Come on you never win over this. Remember, we will ask our provinces from Thai back when we have a chance.. Better look out, what comes around will go around.
Mr. Tranet, thank you for supporting us (Khmers) in plight for listing the Prea Vihear as WHS for the World. Also, thanks for confirming that the site is in the sovereignty of Cambodia (Cambodge).
Thailand needs to accept facts, and needed to teach their generation about the Truth.
If I remember the reports correctly Thailand does not dispute that Preah Vihear is Cambodian. But it is an equally holy site for them so they want to ensure unhindered access to the site for Thai people. They hold that by making it a Khmer/Thai World Heritage Site they will accomplish that goal. Don't forget there is always a lot posturing involved. They don't want to make it a strictly Thai site. So let's wait what the negotiations will produce. Of course, it will remain Khmer.
Halaluya!!!
We all know, it's the siem's last ditch or desperate attempt before they taste their own medicine. Long live Khmer!!!
Wait, you'll see. Once infrastructures to Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple is built and Cambodians and tourists are coming there and stay there, the Thai will get bored with nothing else to pick a fight about. So, better for them to cooperate with Cambodia; after all, don't forget to mention that Cambodia have our own national interest as well, so don't be one-sided, siem. Their policy is they want to see Cambodia stay isolated, including Preah Vihear. Don't they know already that Preah Vihear is the nerve center of Cambodia and for them to try to stop any development there is tantamount to stopping the entire Cambodia from development and growth. In their dreams.
I agree everything Michel Tranet is saying except the part about Surin and Khmer Krom. Why isn't feasible for Cambodia to regain back Khmer Krom and not just Surin but other provinces Thailand hold right now? These province belongs to Cambodia. I will assure you Michel that when Cambodia gets down cleaning up its country's problems the Khmer patriotics will take back what is rightfully theirs.
4:41
With all due respect, but Michel Tranet is right. Under international law these territories are lost forever, whether you like it or not. And you don't want a war, do you? This is the last thing Cambodia ever needs again. And frankly, I can't see Cambodia defeating neither Thailand nor Vietnam. Please be realistic and rational.
Khmer Surin and Khmer Krom should be independents like Switzerland.
To 4:52AM!
It is you who said that Cambodian can't defeat the Thaicong and the Vietcong!
If East Timor can get independent from Indonesia which have people and land more bigly than United States and the East Timorese can still gain independent nation from their larger neighbor!
Be realistic or rational or not! Khmer people must fight to have a place in this world otherwise nobody will give a fuck about Khmer!
Khmer need to modernize their military and align themselves with major powers for economic and political benefit! Khmer must have compulsory law in the field of education, military, and economic to fight the invaders!
Khmer Surin or other Khmers that are living in other provinces of Thailand and Khmer krom are Khmer, they have the reason to join our brother Khmer or should be gaining independent as East Timor. Now look at Kosovo (within Yugoslovia) are in the top agenda of U.N. They are working to get Kosovo to get independent as a state. So Khmer Krom and Khmer Surin are feasible enough to do so. Cause historically and naturally and with the population of Khmer currently living where they live now they have the right be with Cambodia or self determination. We are Khmer, these two nations don't want to see Khmer strong. If the Khmer strong again will hurt them. Look back during the Angkor Empire, Who ruled Southeast Asia? Khmer was the one!
In the past , Cambodia had to fight against Vietnam and Siam at the same time.
But now, they cant do the same thing and Cambodia can win.
Khmers people must improve their air force army .
All Khmer must encourage our compatriot to be more nationalism. Khmer are strong in fighting to protect its territory. We all have to support our Khmer Surin and Khmer Krom using all means to bring back those lands and put under the Khmer Kingdon again. Khmer Krom and Khmer Surin are ours! Long live Khmer!
Yes, be realistics! Besides the AK47 ganster that terrorized the citizens, there are CPP cronies that goes around corners of Cambodia to do his master bid to the citizens.
Khmer military personels are fully decorated, but how many realy earned it. The RCAF don't have no weapons, the RCAF have toothpicks and safety pins. It would take a mellenium to catch up to the neighbors.
Militarily, not likely because the CPP is running the country. Let's be realistics! Let's try to safe Cambodia that is left.
Those of you calling for an armed struggle must be out of your minds. East Timor was different and gained independence because of outside pressure on Indonesia. You start a war, the Khmer people will be annihilated. I don't think you know what you are talking about.
I am a khmer person, and i do have one opinion about this whole political jibe between the two neighboring countries. please keep in mind that there are always a few radical, extremist nationalistic people in any one country on this planet who would say the same as some of our Khmer patriots on this forum. however, i don't think we are at the point to go to war with our neighbors, regardless of whose opinions we hear on this forum. No one nation is so dare to invade or take over another sovereigned nation without the latter rises up to retaliate. I think the better policy for any one country on the face of our god given earth is to use diplomacy. otherwise, the whole world would bicker and fight each other to death for the world is made up of so many ethnicities, languages, religions, moral value, cultures, etc... I am sure when push comes to shoves the entire nation will rise up against any one aggressor, however, I don't think in Cambodia situation, it is to that point yet; so it is just rhetoric and madness that one sees here. on top of that, i don't believe for once that the whole world would allow one nation to annihilate another nation without a repercussion, and the sovereignty of Cambodia is included. So, what we see here are just the freedom of expression, of what i would call an extreme activist that one often would see in the USA where freedom of expression like this one is protected and allowed. Regardless of the political jibes between siem and khmer in this case, i think cambodia has made ourselves clear about Preah Vihear issue and cambodia will go on with the planned UNESCO/world heritage site and development of our country as usual. i don't think siem can do anything about it without some form of diplomatic means. trust me. the so-called 'the show must go on'.
the siem is trying to minipulate the situation. what out for the thief!
Please return the Khmer province of Surin (in Thailand and Kampuchea Krom (South Vietnam) back to Cambodia.
Khmithug4life....
A message to Thais, Khmi people are born from war, even though Khmi rather be at peace than to have war and lose countless of lives..
Khmer has the blood of Ancient Worriers, we will rather die defending our home land than to see taken away from us...
I'M READY TO DIE TO DEFEND CAMBODIA
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