UNESCO Backs Thai Proposal To Postpone Consideration Of Preah Vihear Management Plan

[webfact]

UNESCO backs proposal to postpone consideration of Preah Vihear temple management plan

BANGKOK, May 27 -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) supports Thailand's request for the agency's World Heritage Committee (WHC) to postpone consideration of the management plan for the areas surrounding the World Heritage-listed temple, pending demarcation of the border between Thailand and Cambodia.

A Thai delegation led by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti met with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova affirming Thailand's stance to delay consideration of Preah Vihear Management plan at the 35th session of World Heritage Committee June 19-29 as under the management plan, Thai sovereignty would be violated.

Ms Bokova earlier met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and Senior Minister in Charge of Border Affairs Va Kim Hong to propose that Cambodia withdraw its temple management plan from the WHC agenda until the two countries could determine their common border.

The Cambodian said it would refer the request to the government for consideration and would response the UNESCO's proposal this afternoon.

The separate meetings of the UNESCO chief with the Thai and Cambodian delegates was held after the first round of talks Wednesday failed to produce progress on the border dispute.

The UNESCO-organised meeting between Thailand and Cambodia in Paris was scheduled prior to the meeting of the World Heritage Committee in an attempt to resolve the two countries differences after Cambodia opposed Thailand's request that the committee defer consideration of Cambodia's one-party Preah Vihear management plan until the International Court of Justice rules on its complaint and awaiting progress on border demarcation at the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting.

Last month Cambodia asked the court to clarify a 1962 ruling on the ancient Hindu temple on its disputed border with Thailand following recent deadly armed clashes between the two neighbouring countries. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-05-27

[webfact]

UNESCO support Thai proposal to delay meeting on Cambodia's management plan : Suwit

Unesco's World Heritage Committee support Thai proposal to delay another year the consideration on Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear Temple.

Resource and Environment minister Suwit Kunkitti, leader of Thai team to the WH annual meeting in Paris, told Thai PBS that Unesco agreed that the consideration should be postponed following Thai-Cambodian border conflicts and clashes.

Last year, the WH panel already postponed the consideration after Thailand's strong protest against the management plan drafted by Cambodia.

The Thai side claimed that the mutual border around the temple has not be demarcated.

-- The Nation 2011-05-27

[tigermonkey]

This is no vindication of the Thai position by UNESCO. UNESCO made no ruling on anything, but requested that Cambodia withdraw their management plan.

The interpretaion is quite simple, UNESCO wants no part of the mess -- call them cowardly or call them sensible, but they do not want to be part of the war games. They want out until the border issue is completely settled, which could be never.

Edited May 27, 2011 by tigermonkey

[vont]

This is no vindication of the Thai position by UNESCO. UNESCO made no ruling on anything, but requested that Cambodia withdraw their management plan.

The interpretaion is quite simple, UNESCO wants no part of the mess -- call them cowardly or call them sensible, but they do not want to be part of the war games. They want out until the border issue is completely settled, which could be never.

I disagree categorically....

How old are you....? (Pardon my question, pls. It does have relevancy here.)

If you were over 50 and were around south east asia doing whatever long enough,

you probably would say something very different per personal experiences and otherwise ....

REASON: UNESCO among other nations and organizations were the ones who petitioned

to the Thai govt in the 70 to setup refugee camp within the confinement of Thai border, NOT Cambodian border nor territorial.

There were many photographs taken during the era showing where the campsite, the service buildings, the UNESCO and Red Cross accommodations and the all important water supply--well.... were located at the time.... The photographs all showed that the refugees were cared for and administered to within the Thai territorial and Thai sovereignty.

The very refugee camp that the present insane Camb govt tries so very hard in whichever way they can and for whatever tedious reasons,

to claim ownership over the very camp site that the UNESCO and other nations participating in the setting up of the refugee camp; these farangs each and everyone of them knew very well that....

the land and the surrounding areas belong exclusively to Thailand sovereignty.

The insane HuSan and family have no say, no claim and no nothing....

to say about anything having to do with land surrounding the temple.... also, much less about.... trying to claim parcels of land extending beyond....

If any one who is half way intelligent and cares enough to really search the truth.... it is all there in UNESCO minutes.... for everyone who cares to read and search.....

A majority of posters on Thaivisa concerning this topic are very much still wet behind their ears and under 50.... (sorry, nothing personal here)

Most likely never knew of the existence and very close tie and cooperation between and among UNESCO, International Red Cross, Royal Charitable Organizations and the Thai govt itself.... some 40 years ago....

If you are over 50 and have been around SEA during those difficult years for the Cambodians as well as Vietnameses and the mountain dwellers Monks et al.... and you are of the opinion that my statement is fictitious and wishful....

I'll be glad to retrack and apologize....

Edited May 27, 2011 by vont

[webfact]

Thai team claims Unesco backs its proposal to delay management plan

By THE NATION

Though Thailand and Cambodia yesterday failed to reach common ground on the management of the much-contested Preah Vihear Temple, the Thai team claimed that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) was supporting its proposal to delay the plan.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti had given him the "good news".

Suwit was in Paris yesterday to meet Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and Unesco Director-General Irina Bokova to negotiate a delay in the World Heritage Committee's consideration of the Preah Vihear management plan at its upcoming 35th session on June 19-29.

Suwit claimed that Bokova supported Thailand's proposal to delay consideration of the plan, adding that she later met with Sok An and Senior Minister in Charge of Border Affairs Va Kim Hong to propose that Cambodia withdraw its management plan until both countries could determine their common border.

The Cambodian delegation at the Paris meeting said it disagreed with the proposal, but was leaving the decision up to the government in Phnom Penh.

The meeting was held in order to settle differences between the two neighbouring countries over the World Heritage Site inscription of Preah Vihear ahead of the committee's next session.

Thailand has been accusing Cambodia of trespassing territory adjacent to the temple that Thailand claims comes under its sovereignty and is refusing to consider the neighbouring country's management plan for Preah Vihear until both countries are able to settle the boundary dispute.

The two countries have been at loggerheads over Preah Vihear for a long time now, but the conflict intensified after the temple was inscribed in 2008. Major clashes broke out in the border region in February, causing lots of casualties and damages.

"We want to tell the World Heritage Committee that Preah Vihear's World Heritage inscription led to military conflict between the two countries," Abhisit told reporters. "If Cambodia insists on continuing [with the plan], we will protect our rights. We will tell the world that Thailand has never created problems."

Beside the management plan, the two countries are also fighting the Preah Vihear case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), because Cambodia has asked the court to clarify its 1962 ruling on the temple.

The court will hold a public hearing on Monday and Tuesday regarding Cambodia's request asking the court to grant provisional measures to have Thai troops withdrawn from the temple's vicinity.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya flew to The Hague for the hearing yesterday. His Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong is also expected to be present.

The court will take three weeks to make a decision on the provisional measures and will ask both sides to submit their opinion on the ruling's interpretation by September or October, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi.

-- The Nation 2011-05-28

[OZEMADE]

Thai team claims Unesco backs its proposal to delay management plan

By THE NATION

Though Thailand and Cambodia yesterday failed to reach common ground on the management of the much-contested Preah Vihear Temple, the Thai team claimed that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) was supporting its proposal to delay the plan.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti had given him the "good news".

Suwit was in Paris yesterday to meet Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and Unesco Director-General Irina Bokova to negotiate a delay in the World Heritage Committee's consideration of the Preah Vihear management plan at its upcoming 35th session on June 19-29.

Suwit claimed that Bokova supported Thailand's proposal to delay consideration of the plan, adding that she later met with Sok An and Senior Minister in Charge of Border Affairs Va Kim Hong to propose that Cambodia withdraw its management plan until both countries could determine their common border.

The Cambodian delegation at the Paris meeting said it disagreed with the proposal, but was leaving the decision up to the government in Phnom Penh.

The meeting was held in order to settle differences between the two neighbouring countries over the World Heritage Site inscription of Preah Vihear ahead of the committee's next session.

Thailand has been accusing Cambodia of trespassing territory adjacent to the temple that Thailand claims comes under its sovereignty and is refusing to consider the neighbouring country's management plan for Preah Vihear until both countries are able to settle the boundary dispute.

The two countries have been at loggerheads over Preah Vihear for a long time now, but the conflict intensified after the temple was inscribed in 2008. Major clashes broke out in the border region in February, causing lots of casualties and damages.

"We want to tell the World Heritage Committee that Preah Vihear's World Heritage inscription led to military conflict between the two countries," Abhisit told reporters. "If Cambodia insists on continuing [with the plan], we will protect our rights. We will tell the world that Thailand has never created problems."

Beside the management plan, the two countries are also fighting the Preah Vihear case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), because Cambodia has asked the court to clarify its 1962 ruling on the temple.

The court will hold a public hearing on Monday and Tuesday regarding Cambodia's request asking the court to grant provisional measures to have Thai troops withdrawn from the temple's vicinity.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya flew to The Hague for the hearing yesterday. His Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong is also expected to be present.

The court will take three weeks to make a decision on the provisional measures and will ask both sides to submit their opinion on the ruling's interpretation by September or October, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi.

-- The Nation 2011-05-28

I would have to agree with P M Abhisit that there was no problem until the World Heritage stuck their noses in and gave the temple to Cambodia which is on Thai land.

Look at how many lives this has cost already in an Asian country where it matters a lot to save face.

Edited May 28, 2011 by OZEMADE

[geovalin]

Cambodia says UNESCO not postpone Preah Vihear temple's management plan

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has not postponed the consideration of the management plan for Preah Vihear temple, scheduled for June 19 to 29 at the 35th session of World Heritage Committee, the cabinet minister Sok An, Chairman of the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO, said on Friday night.

Sok An's assertion was made after the Thai state media MCOT online news reported on Friday Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti said the UNESCO supported Thailand 's request for the agency's World Heritage Committee (WHC) to postpone consideration of the management plan for the areas surrounding the World Heritage-listed temple, pending demarcation of the border between Thailand and Cambodia.

Sok An said that Suwit Khunkitti had raised the postponement request to the UNESCO during the meeting on May 25 to 26 on Preah Vihear temple issues at the UNESCO's headquarters in Paris, France under the mediation by the UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

"But the Thai request has not fulfilled because we (Cambodia) disagreed to postpone it," he said in a live telephone interview from Paris by the local Cambodian Television Network. "It is completely untrue that Thailand said the UNESCO agreed to postpone the consideration of the Preah Vihear temple's management plan."

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962 and the temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.

Since then, both sides have built up military forces along the border and periodic clashes have happened, resulting in the deaths of troops and civilians on both sides.

Source: Xinhua

[vont]

Cambodia says UNESCO not postpone Preah Vihear temple's management plan

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has not postponed the consideration of the management plan for Preah Vihear temple, scheduled for June 19 to 29 at the 35th session of World Heritage Committee, the cabinet minister Sok An, Chairman of the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO, said on Friday night.

Sok An's assertion was made after the Thai state media MCOT online news reported on Friday Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti said the UNESCO supported Thailand 's request for the agency's World Heritage Committee (WHC) to postpone consideration of the management plan for the areas surrounding the World Heritage-listed temple, pending demarcation of the border between Thailand and Cambodia.

Sok An said that Suwit Khunkitti had raised the postponement request to the UNESCO during the meeting on May 25 to 26 on Preah Vihear temple issues at the UNESCO's headquarters in Paris, France under the mediation by the UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

"But the Thai request has not fulfilled because we (Cambodia) disagreed to postpone it," he said in a live telephone interview from Paris by the local Cambodian Television Network. "It is completely untrue that Thailand said the UNESCO agreed to postpone the consideration of the Preah Vihear temple's management plan."

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962 and the temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.

Since then, both sides have built up military forces along the border and periodic clashes have happened, resulting in the deaths of troops and civilians on both sides.

Source: Xinhua

"But the Thai request has not fulfilled because we (Cambodia) disagreed to postpone it,"

For all practical purposes, "Sock-it-to-An" as far as everyone already knows is.... only ....Sok An, Chairman of the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO....

So does "Sock Un" has the unilateral power to postpone or not to postpone a certain agenda on the table of UNESCO? Most definitely not.

I for one surely would love to debate him and ask him....

Where on earth was he and his clans around 1978.... when the Camb refugees flooded into the temple areas and begged for food et al.... from the good hearted and good natured Thai....?

If he was born then, why did he not object to UNESCO and the International Red Cross statement that the very Cambodian refugee Campsite would be constructed to facilitate refugees influx inside Thai territory.....?

His forefathers and mothers including HuSan's grand fathers and mothers were extremely grateful that they could continue their lives living in the camp inside Thailand territorial....

Perhaps, these two crowns were too young to remember the good will of the Thai people, UNESCO and the International Red Cross bestowed upon their fathers and forefathers and mothers some decades ago.....

Just where are their senses of gratitude....?

Personally, I made many Cambodian friends both in Thailand and in the States.... the first generation relocated to the States and else where were extremely honorable and grateful for all the facilitation rendered in and on their behalves.

They all praised Thailand and farang's efforts to relocate them to the third country, even though that country might not be their first choice on their long listings.

Now a generation or two later.... this still wet behind their ears generation which necessarily includes HuSan and "Sock Un".... are trying shamelessly not only to disavow everything but also to claim ownership to the very location where their forefathers and mothers were granted temporary permission to eat and sleep.... awaiting their turn to be relocated to a third contry....

Humbly submitted with shame in your behalf.