Tuesday, June 17, 2008

[Thai] Senators to question Foreign Minister on Preah Vihear temple

BANGKOK, June 17 (TNA) -- The Thai Senate Foreign Relations Committee has submitted an urgent motion urging Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama to negotiate with the Cambodian government to delay its application for the disputed Preah Vihear temple to be listed as a World Heritage Site.

Senator Priyanandana Rangsit, vice chairman of the Committee, said four questions were raised to Mr. Noppadon asking him to disclose how the Thai government would explain to experts of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during a meeting to discuss the listing of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List.

The meeting is scheduled to be held in Quebec between July 2-10.

The other queries involve detail contents in which the Thai government would support or object the Phnom Penh government in its attempt to register the ruins as World Heritage site, how the disputed overlapping area around the temple could be solved by the two neighboring countries and what preparations the Thai government have made if the Cambodian government’s attempts succeeded.

Senator Priyanandana said the Senate Foreign Relations Committee might meet again and possibly send letters to the Thai Foreign Ministry and the UNESCO to delay listing of the temple as World Heritage site.

Her comments were made only a few hours after the Thai cabinet endorsed a yet-to-be disclosed new map of Preah Vihear temple prepared by the Phnom Penh government.

Mr. Noppadon said the disputed and undemarcated 4.6-square kilometre area surrounding and adjacent to the temple complex itself is not included on the map.

The minister also emphasised that all details in the new map would be released after the World Heritage Committee meets in July to consider the matter.

Senator Priyanandana said the Phnom Penh government has admitted that the disputed 4.6-square kilometer covered around the ancient temple and Mr. Noppadon should “show the new map to the public”.

Mr. Noppadon would be guilty if Cambodia follows its own guidelines because Thailand borderline would be changed as a result of the new map without seeking an approval from the Parliament, she said. He would violate Constitution article 190 in doing so and could be impeached.

No comments: