Thu, June 25, 2009Deutsche Presse-Agentur
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday he would refuse to discuss a Thai plan for the neighboring countries to jointly administer an 11th-century Hindu ruined temple in a disputed border region during the Thai deputy prime minister's visit Saturday.
"It is not necessary for us to discuss this plan because this is a Thai suggestion and has nothing to do with Cambodia," he said in his speech at a university graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh.
"But if he wishes to discuss Thailand withdrawing its troops from our soil, then we will talk about that."
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said last week he would ask Unesco, to review its decision made last year to list the temple as World Heritage site.
Thailand planned to ask for the review when Unesco meet in this week, provoking condemnation from Hun Sen and Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Tuesday he would visit Phnom Penh to explain the plan to Hun Sen amid reports both countries were amassing troops in the border region where two fatal clashes have erupted in the past year.
Two Cambodian soldiers were killed in clashes in July and another skirmish in April left two Thai soldiers dead and dozens injured on both sides.
The temple was granted to Cambodia in a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling, but Thailand claims the land around the site.
Unesco in July granted Preah Vihear World Heritage Site status, despite Thai objections.
Hun Sen said Thursday that Cambodia would hold a national celebration on July 7 to mark the one-year anniversary of the Unesco ruling.
"I will call on monks throughout the country to beat drums to celebrate this occasion," he said. "There will be a concert in Phnom Penh and similar celebrations in the provinces."
"It is not necessary for us to discuss this plan because this is a Thai suggestion and has nothing to do with Cambodia," he said in his speech at a university graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh.
"But if he wishes to discuss Thailand withdrawing its troops from our soil, then we will talk about that."
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said last week he would ask Unesco, to review its decision made last year to list the temple as World Heritage site.
Thailand planned to ask for the review when Unesco meet in this week, provoking condemnation from Hun Sen and Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Tuesday he would visit Phnom Penh to explain the plan to Hun Sen amid reports both countries were amassing troops in the border region where two fatal clashes have erupted in the past year.
Two Cambodian soldiers were killed in clashes in July and another skirmish in April left two Thai soldiers dead and dozens injured on both sides.
The temple was granted to Cambodia in a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling, but Thailand claims the land around the site.
Unesco in July granted Preah Vihear World Heritage Site status, despite Thai objections.
Hun Sen said Thursday that Cambodia would hold a national celebration on July 7 to mark the one-year anniversary of the Unesco ruling.
"I will call on monks throughout the country to beat drums to celebrate this occasion," he said. "There will be a concert in Phnom Penh and similar celebrations in the provinces."
