20 June 2009By Mom Sophon
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer
An opposition MP indicated that Thailand is diverting its domestic political problem by blaming UNESCO for listing Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site. Furthermore, he indicated that Thailand still refuses to accept responsibility for its armed clashes with Cambodia near the temple.
The above statement was a response by an opposition MP to the recent statement made by Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand PM, who told reporters that he wanted UNESCO’s World Heritage committee to review the listing of Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple. Abhisit claimed that prior to the listing of the temple, there were no serious armed confrontations near the temple zone.
SRP MP Son Chhay declared: “We observe that the political problems in Thailand have not been resolved yet, therefore, every one of the Thai leaders used the Preah Vihear issue to divert attention from their domestic political problems and to calm down their population. For Cambodia, we believe that the government will take a number of measures. UNESCO cannot make a decision, and then revisits this decision again based on the will of a country.”
Son Chhay added that Cambodia has all the necessary rights based on the 1962 decision handed down by The Hague International Court of Justice, and on the decision made by the UNESCO World Heritage committee during its meeting in Quebec, Canada. Furthermore, Cambodia’s territorial integrity is also guaranteed by the Paris Peace Agreements.
On 20 June, HRP MP Yem Ponharith said that Thailand continues to pursue its violation on Cambodia’s territory, and it also continues to try to obtain benefits from Preah Vihear temple in spite of the fact that The Hague International Court of Justice had decided that the temple belongs to Cambodia.
Yem Ponharith said: “I believe that the way they [Thailand] talk, they seem to consider Preah Vihear temple as being theirs, and that’s why they ask for a review. Now, the [Cambodian] government should understand this issue clearly, it should not allow this situation to go on from one day to another anymore. I believe that this is a clear violation on our national independence and sovereignty.”
Last week, Hun Sen told reporters also that Thailand’s attempt to ask UNESCO to review the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site during UNESCO’s 33rd meeting in Spain in June will not be successful.
The above statement was a response by an opposition MP to the recent statement made by Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand PM, who told reporters that he wanted UNESCO’s World Heritage committee to review the listing of Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple. Abhisit claimed that prior to the listing of the temple, there were no serious armed confrontations near the temple zone.
SRP MP Son Chhay declared: “We observe that the political problems in Thailand have not been resolved yet, therefore, every one of the Thai leaders used the Preah Vihear issue to divert attention from their domestic political problems and to calm down their population. For Cambodia, we believe that the government will take a number of measures. UNESCO cannot make a decision, and then revisits this decision again based on the will of a country.”
Son Chhay added that Cambodia has all the necessary rights based on the 1962 decision handed down by The Hague International Court of Justice, and on the decision made by the UNESCO World Heritage committee during its meeting in Quebec, Canada. Furthermore, Cambodia’s territorial integrity is also guaranteed by the Paris Peace Agreements.
On 20 June, HRP MP Yem Ponharith said that Thailand continues to pursue its violation on Cambodia’s territory, and it also continues to try to obtain benefits from Preah Vihear temple in spite of the fact that The Hague International Court of Justice had decided that the temple belongs to Cambodia.
Yem Ponharith said: “I believe that the way they [Thailand] talk, they seem to consider Preah Vihear temple as being theirs, and that’s why they ask for a review. Now, the [Cambodian] government should understand this issue clearly, it should not allow this situation to go on from one day to another anymore. I believe that this is a clear violation on our national independence and sovereignty.”
Last week, Hun Sen told reporters also that Thailand’s attempt to ask UNESCO to review the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site during UNESCO’s 33rd meeting in Spain in June will not be successful.
