Temple Dispute A Minefield For PM Abhisit

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Temple dispute a minefield for PM

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Perhaps Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has finally realised that he jumped on the wrong bandwagon over the controversial Preah Vihear Temple because his yellow shirts have turned against him and his government, accusing them of losing Thai territory.

The nationalist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) alleges that the government had already recognised Cambodia's right over the temple, and victory over the delay in the consideration of Phnom Penh's management plan means nothing.

It's strange but true that the PAD, which is supposed to back this government, is echoing Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An's claim that Natural Resource and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti had accepted and signed the World Heritage Committee's decision 34 COM 7B.66.

One of five points in the decision cited that the committee "welcomed" steps taken by the state party (Cambodia) toward the establishment of an international coordinating committee (ICC) for the sustainable conservation of Preah Vihear.

Establishing the ICC is good, because the temple has been given World Heritage status since 2008. It is a basic requirement to have such a body run a heritage property.

However, much to PAD's delight, Thailand declined Cambodia's invitation to sit on the ICC. Establishing the ICC is equivalent to implementing the management plan, and the "welcome" as well as Suwit's acceptance justifies its implementation.

Common sense tells you that being invited to participate in the management of a World Heritage property should be an honour for Thailand. However, this government thought that joining the committee would be equivalent to accepting and recognising Cambodia's sovereignty over the temple and surrounding areas.

According to an International Court of Justice ruling in 1962, the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory that is under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

When Abhisit was opposition leader, he and his alliance PAD used a very strange argument - the court ruling was only on the ruins of the temple, not the area, which comes under the sovereignty of Thailand. In other words, Thailand accepted that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but not the land the temple is sitting on.

If Thailand recognised any activities - be they by Cambodia or the World Heritage Committee - in the area under question, it could be seen as recognising Cambodia's sovereignty, they said.

In reality though, the 250,000 square metres that the temple is sitting on was relinquished by a 1962 Cabinet decision to Cambodia. Like it or not, that land has already been given away.

The area that should be under dispute is the 4.6 square kilometres to the west and the north of the temple, as both sides claim it is theirs. In its management plan for Preah Vihear, Cambodia does not include the disputed area in the buffer zone. So, there's not much point in Thailand opposing the plan.

Yet, the PAD has been going beyond expectations - declaring that Cambodia dared to claim the temple's surrounding area because Phnom Penh used and Thailand recognised the French-Siamese joint boundary committee's 1:200,000-scale map. According to the PAD, the best thing would be for Thailand to reject this map.

Unfortunately though, it was a Democrat-led government under Chuan Leekpai that signed the memorandum of understanding for boundary demarcation in 2000. The pact recognised the map and Siam-Franco treaties as historical documents for boundary demarcation.

The PAD is mounting pressure on the government, while Abhisit is in a difficult position of having to steer away from his own rhetoric. He cannot fiercely oppose the PAD, because his Democrat Party and the PAD's New Politics Party share the same political bas.

The only option would be to blame Cambodia, but that's not easy either because border security and lives of people could end up being at stake.

-- The Nation 2010-08-05

[webfact]

PREAH VIHEAR

Cambodian King's aide seeks calm

By The Nation

PM backs spirit of message that dispute should not spoil harmony in the region

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva interpreted a letter from the Cambodian king's adviser as a welcome gesture, saying the idea to make the Preah Vihear a symbol of reconciliation between the two countries sounded good.

"The Preah Vihear has historical and cultural values which could create peace and reconciliation between the people of two countries," he said.

"But if we take advantage of the issue for territorial boundary purposes, people on both sides won't accept it."

The Thai government has objected to the world heritage inscription on the Preah Vihear for fear of territory loss in the disputed areas adjacent to the temple.

In a letter to Abhisit recently, Prince Sisowath Thomico, an adviser to King Norodom Sihamoni, said the two countries should not use the territorial dispute to spoil "harmony" in the region.

"Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our people by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development," the prince's letter was quoted as saying by the Phnom Penh Post.

Abhisit acknowledged the letter but said he had not yet received the copy. It was unclear whether the letter is a personal idea or reflects real opinion in the Cambodian government, he said.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the Thai government interpreted the letter as a personal one to express goodwill and cordial relations between the two countries.

The Foreign Ministry would read and offer an official interpretation of the letter later, he said.

The letter was sent when Thailand and Cambodia were both claiming victory over the World Heritage Committee's decision.

Thailand saw a victory in the committee's decision to consider the temple management plan at its next session in 2011, rather than reading reports submitted by Cambodia during the session in Brazil last week.

Thailand expressed its concern that Cambodia might take the areas to the west and north of the temple, which are subject of a border dispute with Thailand, as buffer zones for the heritage-listed property.

Cambodia argued it had not taken the areas - and the committee decision would not deter it from implementing the plan it had submitted to the committee months ago.

Nationalist movements in Thailand are pressuring the government to oppose all Cambodian moves and activities at the Preah Vihear. They called on the government to use military force to exercise 'Thai sovereignty' in the disputed areas near the temple. "Peaceful ways might cause loss of territory," said Panthep Puapongpan, spokesman of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Phnom Penh blamed Abhisit's government for provoking nationalism and for giving out misleading information over the world heritage for political gain.

The Preah Vihear's status was ruled on by the International Court of Justice in 1962. It is situated in territory under sovereignty of Cambodia, but nationalists in Thailand and Abhisit's government claim only the stone temple ruin belongs to Cambodia, not the surrounding areas.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen told the Cambodian people there was nothing to worry about over the border issue with Thailand, despite feelings heating up. The military leaders of both sides met and agreed to keep their troops in their stations.

Despite the current calm, Hun Sen said his troops were ready to protect the border from intrusion.

-- The Nation 2010-08-05

[geovalin]

"The only option would be to blame Cambodia, but that's not easy either because border security and lives of people could end up being at stake." Right

This is not a problem for Abisith and PAD: Cambodians are Khmer and Khmers are always to blame since Thais arrived in the region. Thais are always right. By nature.

By the way, Abisith nature is to fight, to make, amplify wars: in the South + civil war against opposition to his regime + against neighbor countries. Any war is a good thing for Abisith who became addict to the blood smell.

[canuckamuck]

Why don't they declare it no man's land, build a border crossing and set up some casinos nearby.

Problem solved

[SomTumTiger]

Temple issue is a "Wag the Dog" issue for both countries. Nobody really gives a flying fig about it.

[march]

By the way, Abisith nature is to fight, to make, amplify wars: in the South + civil war against opposition to his regime + against neighbor countries. Any war is a good thing for Abisith who became addict to the blood smell.

Factually incorrect.

Abhisit (please note proper spelling so that your entire posts won't be deleted in the future as per this forum's policy) did not "make" the "war" in the South nor did he amplify it. Actually, it has been improving, although it is certainly not perfect as long as any violence is occurring.

Violent crimes in the restive South have been slashed 70 per cent over the past 10 months

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/08/04/national/Southern-violence-down-but-tension-remains-30135163.html

Still not ideal, but the level of violence is not at the levels of Abhisit's predecessors.

The same can be said for the Preah Vihear temple. While tensions are certainly present, the level of actual violent confrontations and deaths at the site is less than his predecessors.

In regards to the "civil war", he didn't "make" it, and rather than "show his nature to fight", he displayed extreme patience with handling the illegal protests, so much so he was criticized harshly for the delay in action during that time.

[SamritT]

Mark, please do not take back your words when you are an opposition leader. Please.

[webfact]

US Urges Thai, Cambodian Govt to Solve Conflict with By Peaceful Means

A U.S diplomatic officer is calling on Cambodia and Thailand to exercise peaceful means and negotiations as a resolution to the Preah Vihear dispute.

Theodore Allegra, a U.S. envoy to Phnom Penh, gave an interview with Radio Free Asia, saying the U.S. wants Thailand and Cambodia to find a resolution to the border dispute through peaceful means.

Allegra further stressed that the current conflict should be overcome solely through negotiation, and the U.S. government does not believe that any form of violence is a way to solve the problem.

Allegra is the first foreign diplomatic officer to comment on the Preah Vihear dispute between Thailand and Cambodia after the end of the World Heritage Committee Conference in Brazil, amid rumors that powerful countries such as the U.S., China, and France support Cambodia's Preah Vihear management plan.

Koy Kuong, spokesperson for Cambodia's Foreign Affairs Ministry, said the Cambodian government welcomed the U.S. envoy's suggestion and noted that Cambodia has exercised utmost patience against the encroachment of the Thai people on the disputed 4.6-square kilometer area surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple.

He also claimed that the Thai military tried to pressure Cambodian soldiers to leave the border area, but they remain on duty in the area to protect the nation's sovereignty.

Cambodia's Foreign spokesman claimed that the Thai military has ordered the reinforcement of more than 2,000 soldiers in the border area after Cambodia announced that the World Heritage Committee approved its proposed management plan.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-05

[lekandgary]

Yeah Cambodia, why don't you take leaf out of Americas book, and deal with the problem the way they do, just like they're dealing with Iran.

US Urges Thai, Cambodian Govt to Solve Conflict with By Peaceful Means

A U.S diplomatic officer is calling on Cambodia and Thailand to exercise peaceful means and negotiations as a resolution to the Preah Vihear dispute.

Theodore Allegra, a U.S. envoy to Phnom Penh, gave an interview with Radio Free Asia, saying the U.S. wants Thailand and Cambodia to find a resolution to the border dispute through peaceful means.

Allegra further stressed that the current conflict should be overcome solely through negotiation, and the U.S. government does not believe that any form of violence is a way to solve the problem.

Allegra is the first foreign diplomatic officer to comment on the Preah Vihear dispute between Thailand and Cambodia after the end of the World Heritage Committee Conference in Brazil, amid rumors that powerful countries such as the U.S., China, and France support Cambodia's Preah Vihear management plan.

Koy Kuong, spokesperson for Cambodia's Foreign Affairs Ministry, said the Cambodian government welcomed the U.S. envoy's suggestion and noted that Cambodia has exercised utmost patience against the encroachment of the Thai people on the disputed 4.6-square kilometer area surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple.

He also claimed that the Thai military tried to pressure Cambodian soldiers to leave the border area, but they remain on duty in the area to protect the nation's sovereignty.

Cambodia's Foreign spokesman claimed that the Thai military has ordered the reinforcement of more than 2,000 soldiers in the border area after Cambodia announced that the World Heritage Committee approved its proposed management plan.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-05

[yellow1red1]

'Preservation' of the site is, after all, only Western minded myopic dillusionment that has been foisted into the mix, along with capitalist aspirations. If the true tenets of Hindu Impermenence, Buddhist also, were allowed to played out, Nature would be allowed to take its course. It's religious sacrilege to turn it into a tourist trap. All the scratching and blistering is not Sanctity, it is Enterprise. It is delaying the inevitable. It's as bad as grave robbing. Real Hinduism would not allow for the interference of the processes.

The whole controversy is an excellent example of the restricted and low level development of human kind.>

Hindu Dictionary

impermanence: The quality of being temporary and nonlasting.

Impermanence (Sanskrit: anitya; Pali anicca; Tibetan: mi rtag pa;, wúcháng; Japanese: mujō) is one of the essential doctrines or the three marks of Buddhism. According to it, everything is constantly in flux. This changing flux excludes nothing--even planets, stars and gods. This is embodied in human life in the aging process and the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara), and in any experience of loss; because things are impermanent, attachment to them is futile, and leads to suffering. The only true end of anicca is ...

>

Let it be!

Edited August 5, 2010 by yellow1red1

[Siripon]

'Preservation' of the site is, after all, only Western minded myopic dillusionment that has been foisted into the mix, along with capitalist aspirations. If the true tenets of Hindu Impermenence, Buddhist also, were allowed to played out, Nature would be allowed to take its course. It's religious sacrilege to turn it into a tourist trap. All the scratching and blistering is not Sanctity, it is Enterprise. It is delaying the inevitable. It's as bad as grave robbing. Real Hinduism would not allow for the interference of the processes.

The whole controversy is an excellent example of the restricted and low level development of human kind.>

Hindu Dictionary

impermanence: The quality of being temporary and nonlasting.

Impermanence (Sanskrit: anitya; Pali anicca; Tibetan: mi rtag pa;, wúcháng; Japanese: mujō) is one of the essential doctrines or the three marks of Buddhism. According to it, everything is constantly in flux. This changing flux excludes nothing--even planets, stars and gods. This is embodied in human life in the aging process and the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara), and in any experience of loss; because things are impermanent, attachment to them is futile, and leads to suffering. The only true end of anicca is ...

>

Let it be!

Let The PAD, and consequently The New Politics Party, lose more votes over this overblown issue.

[Robby nz]

Yeah Cambodia, why don't you take leaf out of Americas book, and deal with the problem the way they do, just like they're dealing with Iran.

US Urges Thai, Cambodian Govt to Solve Conflict with By Peaceful Means

A U.S diplomatic officer is calling on Cambodia and Thailand to exercise peaceful means and negotiations as a resolution to the Preah Vihear dispute.

Theodore Allegra, a U.S. envoy to Phnom Penh, gave an interview with Radio Free Asia, saying the U.S. wants Thailand and Cambodia to find a resolution to the border dispute through peaceful means.

Allegra further stressed that the current conflict should be overcome solely through negotiation, and the U.S. government does not believe that any form of violence is a way to solve the problem.

Allegra is the first foreign diplomatic officer to comment on the Preah Vihear dispute between Thailand and Cambodia after the end of the World Heritage Committee Conference in Brazil, amid rumors that powerful countries such as the U.S., China, and France support Cambodia's Preah Vihear management plan.

Koy Kuong, spokesperson for Cambodia's Foreign Affairs Ministry, said the Cambodian government welcomed the U.S. envoy's suggestion and noted that Cambodia has exercised utmost patience against the encroachment of the Thai people on the disputed 4.6-square kilometer area surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple.

He also claimed that the Thai military tried to pressure Cambodian soldiers to leave the border area, but they remain on duty in the area to protect the nation's sovereignty.

Cambodia's Foreign spokesman claimed that the Thai military has ordered the reinforcement of more than 2,000 soldiers in the border area after Cambodia announced that the World Heritage Committee approved its proposed management plan.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-05

Yes considering their history and present of "peaceful means" they have a bloody cheek.