'Big Mistake' in Temple Application: Expert
By Taing Sarada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
12 June 2008
[Editor's note: Cambodia and Thailand agreed in a May 22 meeting in Paris that Cambodia would be allowed to forward an application for the controversial Preah Vihear temple to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. The temple rests on a disputed northern border region, and Cambodia has agreed only to apply for the temple grounds to be listed and not the land surrounding it. VOA Khmer asked Sean Pengse, director of the Paris-based Cambodia Border Committee, for his thoughts. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.]
Q. Recently, Cambodian government and Thai government agreed to take only the temple itself on the mountain to put into the list of world’s heritage. Is the decision not to include the areas surrounding the temple into the list of world’s heritage right? Please give your comment.
A. Putting Preah Vihear temple as the world’s heritage by Unesco without putting the surrounding areas is a big mistake. First of all, it is against the verdict of the international court in the Hague in 1962. The court decided that the temple and areas surrounding belonged to Cambodia. Secondly, not putting the surrounding areas will cost Cambodian integrity because Cambodian land including Preah Vihear since the 1991 Paris Peace Accord has to be preserved and treated as Cambodian land. This is the Paris Peace Accord in 1991. If we refer to the international treaty which was signed by France and Thailand in 1904 and 1907, it is also the same. The decision is against both the former and the later treaties. Therefore, we lose our land, and it is against the Paris peace treaty and the 1904 and 1907 treaty between Thailand and France.
Q. What did Thailand gain from the latest agreement?
A. I would like give a small footnote. Initially, in 1998, after Cambodia got out of Pol Pot’s dictatorship power, Preah Vihear was put as a region for joined business with Thailand. Therefore, Thailand made a lot of income, and Thailand now wants to continue this further. Responding to your question that Thailand and Cambodia with Unesco as a coordinator decided to put only Preah Vihear temple in World’s Heritage is not correct. But why did they decide so?
I would like to inform people that last month the Thai Prime Minister came to meet [Prime Minister] Hun Sen, and they made a decision to put Preah Vihear temple, but not the areas surrounding it. The Thai Prime Minister came to meet Hun Sen in Phnom Penh last month. Therefore, the decision by Sok An and the Thai Foreign Minister as well as a referee from Unesco was the decision on the decision of the prime ministers. It is not something to be surprised about. The decision of the prime ministers was against the decision of international court. They never put the temple alone. This act was against the decision of the international court, and this was the first time in the world that one country erased the decision made by the international court.
Thailand forced Cambodia to work against the decision of the international court. This is the first time in the world, and it is the biggest mistake of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
Q. Why does Thailand strongly wants to own the areas surrounding Preah Vihear temple?
A. Preah Vihear is small. But I want to say briefly that the Cambodian Border Committee in Cambodia, the Cambodian government, sets up border markers with Thailand and Vietnam. They set up new border markers and drew a new map because the old map is not clear. Thailand also called the Cambodian ambassador to meet them and told Cambodia to tell France that the map is old. Therefore, the other maps are also not clear. Therefore, when Thailand saw that Vietnam gained a lot from the border issue, Thailand wanted to set up new border markers with Cambodia.
Making a new map is just an excuse. The Cambodian government falls into their trap. We already have a map recognized internationally, and the international court in the Hague decided on the Preah Vihear issue attached with the map.
Why didn’t we work on the existing map? Why do the new map? We don’t know the reason why they make new map. This is such a regretful a mistake. On behalf of the Cambodia Border Committee in France, I condemned the Royal Government. This is the incompetent government, and we call on the government to revise the border again, both land and maritime border.
Q. Unesco requires that Cambodia submit the application to put Preah Vihear as the World Heritage and requires that Cambodia draw a new map. Does Cambodia have to draw a new map? Do we have enough time? If they draw new map, do they do with correct standard?
A. This is a good question. I would like to say that we don’t have time. If we make a new map, we not only draw the map around Preah Vihear. Why do I dare to say so? Why do we need a new map? We already have a map. And the decision on the temple was decided with the existing map. The map was attached to the decision of the international court in the Hague. Why do we need to draw a new map? If we want to do, we can put border markers according to the decision of the international court. We should not draw a new map.
If we draw a new map, we don’t have time. What map do they base it on? We already have a map. In 2000, according to the memorandum of understanding, they established “white areas,” so we already fall into their traps. That’s why our committee does not agree on the idea to draw new border map because we have a clear map, and we have a decision from the international court in the Hague, and the decision was decided with the map. If they want the map, come meet me; I have it.
Q. In the end, do you have any appeal to the Cambodian government and Cambodian people about Preah Vihear temple?
A. First of all, I would like tell the government that putting only Preah Vihear temple and not the surrounding areas is against the decision of international court in the Hague. Cambodian people have to make sure that Cambodian government respects only one which is to respect the decision made by international court in 1962. Cambodian won the case on Preah Vihear temple. They did not decide on only the temple, but the areas surrounding with map attachment. I call on the government to respect this decision.
Q. Recently, Cambodian government and Thai government agreed to take only the temple itself on the mountain to put into the list of world’s heritage. Is the decision not to include the areas surrounding the temple into the list of world’s heritage right? Please give your comment.
A. Putting Preah Vihear temple as the world’s heritage by Unesco without putting the surrounding areas is a big mistake. First of all, it is against the verdict of the international court in the Hague in 1962. The court decided that the temple and areas surrounding belonged to Cambodia. Secondly, not putting the surrounding areas will cost Cambodian integrity because Cambodian land including Preah Vihear since the 1991 Paris Peace Accord has to be preserved and treated as Cambodian land. This is the Paris Peace Accord in 1991. If we refer to the international treaty which was signed by France and Thailand in 1904 and 1907, it is also the same. The decision is against both the former and the later treaties. Therefore, we lose our land, and it is against the Paris peace treaty and the 1904 and 1907 treaty between Thailand and France.
Q. What did Thailand gain from the latest agreement?
A. I would like give a small footnote. Initially, in 1998, after Cambodia got out of Pol Pot’s dictatorship power, Preah Vihear was put as a region for joined business with Thailand. Therefore, Thailand made a lot of income, and Thailand now wants to continue this further. Responding to your question that Thailand and Cambodia with Unesco as a coordinator decided to put only Preah Vihear temple in World’s Heritage is not correct. But why did they decide so?
I would like to inform people that last month the Thai Prime Minister came to meet [Prime Minister] Hun Sen, and they made a decision to put Preah Vihear temple, but not the areas surrounding it. The Thai Prime Minister came to meet Hun Sen in Phnom Penh last month. Therefore, the decision by Sok An and the Thai Foreign Minister as well as a referee from Unesco was the decision on the decision of the prime ministers. It is not something to be surprised about. The decision of the prime ministers was against the decision of international court. They never put the temple alone. This act was against the decision of the international court, and this was the first time in the world that one country erased the decision made by the international court.
Thailand forced Cambodia to work against the decision of the international court. This is the first time in the world, and it is the biggest mistake of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
Q. Why does Thailand strongly wants to own the areas surrounding Preah Vihear temple?
A. Preah Vihear is small. But I want to say briefly that the Cambodian Border Committee in Cambodia, the Cambodian government, sets up border markers with Thailand and Vietnam. They set up new border markers and drew a new map because the old map is not clear. Thailand also called the Cambodian ambassador to meet them and told Cambodia to tell France that the map is old. Therefore, the other maps are also not clear. Therefore, when Thailand saw that Vietnam gained a lot from the border issue, Thailand wanted to set up new border markers with Cambodia.
Making a new map is just an excuse. The Cambodian government falls into their trap. We already have a map recognized internationally, and the international court in the Hague decided on the Preah Vihear issue attached with the map.
Why didn’t we work on the existing map? Why do the new map? We don’t know the reason why they make new map. This is such a regretful a mistake. On behalf of the Cambodia Border Committee in France, I condemned the Royal Government. This is the incompetent government, and we call on the government to revise the border again, both land and maritime border.
Q. Unesco requires that Cambodia submit the application to put Preah Vihear as the World Heritage and requires that Cambodia draw a new map. Does Cambodia have to draw a new map? Do we have enough time? If they draw new map, do they do with correct standard?
A. This is a good question. I would like to say that we don’t have time. If we make a new map, we not only draw the map around Preah Vihear. Why do I dare to say so? Why do we need a new map? We already have a map. And the decision on the temple was decided with the existing map. The map was attached to the decision of the international court in the Hague. Why do we need to draw a new map? If we want to do, we can put border markers according to the decision of the international court. We should not draw a new map.
If we draw a new map, we don’t have time. What map do they base it on? We already have a map. In 2000, according to the memorandum of understanding, they established “white areas,” so we already fall into their traps. That’s why our committee does not agree on the idea to draw new border map because we have a clear map, and we have a decision from the international court in the Hague, and the decision was decided with the map. If they want the map, come meet me; I have it.
Q. In the end, do you have any appeal to the Cambodian government and Cambodian people about Preah Vihear temple?
A. First of all, I would like tell the government that putting only Preah Vihear temple and not the surrounding areas is against the decision of international court in the Hague. Cambodian people have to make sure that Cambodian government respects only one which is to respect the decision made by international court in 1962. Cambodian won the case on Preah Vihear temple. They did not decide on only the temple, but the areas surrounding with map attachment. I call on the government to respect this decision.
17 comments:
Sean Pangse, you are such a patriotic man. I hope Mr. Sam Rainsy wins so he can get you to replace Svar Kim-hong. Svar Kim-hong didn't do good enough to deal with Thailand. Keep up the good work, Cambodia will never forget you in her history. Jayo! Khmer!
thank you, hear from the border experts! cambodia should demand on using the 1962 court ruling and use that map that was created then at the time of the court ruling because that was permenant and thailand has no right to disrespect the court rule just because times past by and cambodia was lenient to allow isolation of this area and the preah vihear temple due to the cambodia civil conflict, etc..., court's ruling was final and permanent for a million time. cambodia, please demand that always. if we go by anything else different from the map of the court ruling, then it is illegal, and we know the thai's action is illegal anyway, so why should we conform with their demand. please stick with the court's decision and i'm sure they drew up a map of the area at the time of their ruling and cambodia should be using that map only to justify our country's stancem period, no buts at it. thank you.
keep in mind, the thai thieves will try anything to postpone or slow down cambodia's national progress, in their hope that that will deter cambodia to give up our intention. educated khmer people say, please do not yield to whatever the thai wanted in respect to our preah vihear temple and surround area that actually go along with it. otherwise, it is like thailand saying cambodia can have the water, but they own the land underneath the water. what's the heck? do not yield, stick with court ruling's map only...
Like the Champa, we'll never get it back. The way I see it -- Khmer will be ended with 66,000 sq. km left.
I think Sok Anh, torture Khmers everywhere because the LA community shunt him from entering Cambodian Towne.
everybody can see the thai true color clearly. they use khmer-thai people in thailand(people which they stole from cambodia when they stole our old khmer provinces from cambodia during the dark ages) to claim what they want in cambodia. how pathetic can that be! it's like china using the chinese in san francisco or where else in order to justify their claim that america belongs to china. so much the logic of the thai criminals! i just don't buy it, period!
Until the CMAC cleared all or most mines in that place now they Thai acting like they want everything. What about back then when the Cambodian Resistance forces were still there and plus KR planted mines all around the border to protect the Thai encroachment, why don't the Thai risk themself claim them? Why now when Cambodian decided to move on and clear the mines to live in peace. What a theif they are? Mr. Sean Pengse is correct. He is one of the true heart Cambodian. I wish HUN SEN could call this guy to clear this border issue infront of Hague (UN). I know we will win cause we do have concrete evidence over the Thai 100%. Go! Cambodia! We are Cambodian always love SROK KHMER!!
Yes 12:56AM before we have known by story talling from our grand parents that Siamese had stole our land and as well by Histry learning at School. Now we are seing by ouself infront of millions Khmerseyes Just from Mr. Hun Sen and his ministers hands. Siamese is Showing a'true colour who they are indeed, then they try to delay our registration how much they could to stop the progress. 2:19AM yes this tric they thought the best one to smear the world's oppinions instead of using Siamese's name, they believe it may get sympathy from the world.
I love you all above, thanks you to Mr. peng.S, K. Border's Commisioner. May god bless Khmer all
The temple belong to Khmer on both sides of the fence and must be settled accordingly, no Frenchies allowed here.
When we have stupid former Khmer rouges lead the country, that's what we deserve to be crashed by the neighbors. These people like Hun Sen, Chea Sim, Heng Samrin, Sok An, Hor Nam Hong, etc... are not working for Khmer interest; they work for their master, Hanoi and Thai. As I said "Uneducated people always make the wrong decision and can't defend their speech". They always answer YES. The Thai uses their army supreme commander to speak to Ah Hun Sen where is Ah Hun Sen, Supreme commander? Ah Thai tries to flex their musle, but ah Khmer try to hide.
Ah Hun Sen and Sihanouk rule Cambodia to become smaller and smaller.
It's time to abolish the Cambodia Royal family as Napal did this Wednesday.
Everyone is former Khmer-Rouge, you idiot (7:09), and they are not stupid but 10 times smarter than your long beach fools. They had won the war, didn't they?
Hold your horse 7:09p.m and think rationally. Who won Preah Vihear for Khmer in 1962? Please don't bite the hand that feed you. It's just not nice! and right out nasty! Who are the monkeys running the Cambodian Royal government today? Those Monkeys are the one you should go after and not the powerless King, buddy. See the great big blue sky? That is how you should think.
Thanks!, We must update, upgrade Cambodian Goverment as soon as possible during this up coming election time, otherwise there will be no more Cambodia, from Viet, Lao, to Thai are cheating Cambodian land everyday.
I call on the government and Mr. Sean Pengse to work togetther for our national interest. Clearly Mr. Sean Pengse has a lot of knowledge about the border issues and we certainly don't want to lose any of his experty.
You're right 7:35PM I am behind you this is all about khmer's idiology for nowaday and to the future!. I also support you 11:03PM Khmer should seeking a muster key for this regard to work together especially with HUN SEN's GV; not to allow this GV saying YES too much with the thieves neighbours, we absoluly need an expert like Mr. Sean. P to get involve, it's for Khmer Nation interest not just for Mr.Hun Sen and his Ministers alone. May god bless Cambodia!
it's the thai's criminal tactic toward cambodia. khmer people don'lt fall for that easily! i guess they want to foster hates with cambodia. they do have choices, whether to be cambodia's friends or enemies. let them choose which ever one they prefer. time will prevail.
7:09PM. King Sihanouk won Preah Viheah and why did you forget?
You want to abolish Khmer Monarchy don't just scream from KI, go to Cambodia and preach it. You won't last more than 5 hours, you will be stabbed and killed by the people who love King Sihanouk.
Million of them love King Sihanouk and King Sihamoni.
Watch where the wind blows through. Don't kidding yourself.
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