Monday, June 22, 2009
Claudette Werden
ABC Radio Australia
Thailand is appealing to the United Nations cultural organisation to find a solution to its bitter row with Cambodia over an 11th century temple complex.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has announced his country's heritage committee will ask the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to reconsider a decision giving control of the temple and its surroundings to Cambodia.
The decision has led to clashes between Thai and Cambodian border guards, with seven soldiers killed in the past year.
Thailand will ask a world heritage meeting in Spain this week for the grounds of the Preah Vihear temple to be placed under joint Thai-Cambodian maintenance.
Not blaming
Part of its argument is that most visitors approach the temple complex from the Thai side.
Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, senior adviser to the Thai prime minister's office, told Radio Australia's Connect Asia program: "Most countries, Thailand in particular, are not blaming anything on Cambodia.
"We are just concerned about the role of UNESCO."
The adviser said: "The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia was quite normal and stable until UNESCO allowed registration of the temple area - not (the) temple but temple area - to be done unilaterally".
"It is the responsibility, we believe, that UNESCO should attempt to look into this issue closely and help try to solve the problem and try to come up with remedies."
Overlapping
Dr Wattanayagorn said that in areas "that are not clear, in areas that are overlapping . . . UNESCO usually recommends the two countries or parties involved to jointly manage or register the areas.
"We're simplying reiterating UNESCO'S rules".
He said Thailand's position still was that the issue is unclear.
"But, of course, the International Court of Justice many decades ago issued a statement and verdict giving Cambodia the right over the temple, but not the temple area, so we as part of the world community will recognise that verdict".
Cambodia has issued a statement rebuking Thailand for raising the controversial land-claim again.
Claudette Werden
ABC Radio Australia
Thailand is appealing to the United Nations cultural organisation to find a solution to its bitter row with Cambodia over an 11th century temple complex.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has announced his country's heritage committee will ask the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to reconsider a decision giving control of the temple and its surroundings to Cambodia.
The decision has led to clashes between Thai and Cambodian border guards, with seven soldiers killed in the past year.
Thailand will ask a world heritage meeting in Spain this week for the grounds of the Preah Vihear temple to be placed under joint Thai-Cambodian maintenance.
Not blaming
Part of its argument is that most visitors approach the temple complex from the Thai side.
Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, senior adviser to the Thai prime minister's office, told Radio Australia's Connect Asia program: "Most countries, Thailand in particular, are not blaming anything on Cambodia.
"We are just concerned about the role of UNESCO."
The adviser said: "The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia was quite normal and stable until UNESCO allowed registration of the temple area - not (the) temple but temple area - to be done unilaterally".
"It is the responsibility, we believe, that UNESCO should attempt to look into this issue closely and help try to solve the problem and try to come up with remedies."
Overlapping
Dr Wattanayagorn said that in areas "that are not clear, in areas that are overlapping . . . UNESCO usually recommends the two countries or parties involved to jointly manage or register the areas.
"We're simplying reiterating UNESCO'S rules".
He said Thailand's position still was that the issue is unclear.
"But, of course, the International Court of Justice many decades ago issued a statement and verdict giving Cambodia the right over the temple, but not the temple area, so we as part of the world community will recognise that verdict".
Cambodia has issued a statement rebuking Thailand for raising the controversial land-claim again.
9 comments:
I think if Thailand raise this issue to UNESCO, whatever the result. Cambodian Government should cut diplomatic tie with this country. This action shows cleary that Thai leaders do not respect the souverenity of Cambodia.
dear brothers and sisters,
This move really shows the trick, stupidity and ambition of Thai stupid leaders...It really is shameful for all Thai people.
We, Cambodian, should do something to show to the world the dirty trick of Thai leaders.
Please let me know if you have any suggestion to make our voice heard to the world community. I am living in Los Angeles. Any brothers or sisters who have any suggestions to get together to have our voice heard, pls let me know. I would like to join.
Shut the Thai side, won't be any thief or visitors come from Thai side, end of story.
Vannak
i think it shows their ambition, but not their stupidity. Anyone who stands to fight for what he wants, whether be for change, democracy, compensation or just plain stealing other people's stuff are go getters people. Not stupid, only stupid people are those who laugh at them and keep saying it's impossible because when it happens their teeth just stay out in the sun crying why didn't we do anything but laugh now who have the last laugh!
So its time for Cambodian government to deal with it legally back to the international community as Thailand is going there now. What is the smart and unambitiouis HunSen govt going to do now?
I agree! if we shut our border for good from Thai-side, thai-thieft will be screwed! because those people need khmer people to buy their products! i think this is not a bad idea at all! you play your games, i'll play mine too...
come-on Mrs. 5 Horng! let's do that!
Cambodia need to give Thai-thieft a BIG bitter tasts of WAR! cambodia had already been tasted too long, cambodia always wanted to be peace, but Thailand keep pushing cambodia to the edge! we have no choice! Thailand should realize that their army is not match to khmer soldier strenght, cambodia has all kind of weapons right now, don't underestimated my cambodia, and making fun about our weapons, if want war so bad, cambodia will give you one or we can settle down with more talks...
What' ya gonna do with their F-16? we can't shoot them..? do we have missile to take them down?
yeah, right! unesco has no jurisdiction over the icj ruling in 1962. again, once failed will always fail time and again. get lost, thailand! we have to respect cambodia's view and sovereignty! the first priority is cambodia, the rightful and lawful owner of preah vihear temple! any so-called bilateral benefits as a result of it is secondary. what part of this law don't you people understand, thailand?
Agree with 6:59AM!! there's no way they can allow Ah Chor Siamese to do whatever they wants....no fucken way!
Post a Comment