Thailand quits World Heritage Convention

[monkfish]

Legally nothing has changed, well at least for another 12 months anyhow.

http://whc.unesco.org/?cid=175

Article 35

1. Each State Party to this Convention may denounce the Convention.
2. The denunciation shall be notified by an instrument in writing, deposited with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
3. The denunciation shall take effect twelve months after the receipt of the instrument of denunciation. It shall not affect the financial obligations of the denouncing State until the date on which the withdrawal takes effect.

Read more here

http://asiancorrespo...t=Google+Reader

[webfact]

UNESCO Clarifies Move on Preah Vihear Plan

The UNESCO has released a statement claiming that it has never intended to deliberate the management plan of the Preah Vihear Temple and that its main objective is only to protect and preserve the World Heritage site.

Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova has released a statement through its website, expressing her regret on the Thailand's decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Committee.

In the statement, Bokova pointed out that the committee was found in 1972 with the sole purpose of protecting and preserving the world's natural and cultural treasures.

The statement also refuted claims made by numerous media agencies. It stated that the committee never intended to deliberate the management plan of the Preah Vihear Temple.

Nor has it asked for any document on the restoration of the ancient Khmer ruins site.

Bokova asserted that the committee's decision was only aiming at protecting the temple.

Acting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva argued that even though the management plan was not discussed at the World Heritage Convention, there are several ambiguities that could affect the sovereignty of Thailand.

As a result, the Thai government has decided to withdraw from the committee to protest against Cambodia's underhand tactics.

The statement added that the UNESCO has been trying to address the Thai-Cambodian border conflict by trying to bring both countries to the negotiating table on many occasions, including having sent a special UNESCO envoy to consult with officials of both countries.

Bokova also hopes that Thailand will reconsider and continue to cooperate with the UNESCO.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-27

[webfact]

UNESCO'S WITHDRAWAL

Cabinet to discuss impact following Unesco's withdrawal

The Cabinet will discuss in its weekly meeting the impact of Thailand's withdrawal from the Unesco's World Heritage Convention, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Monday.

National Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, who just returned from Unesco's Paris meeting will report the issue to the cabinet on Tuesday.

The agencies concerned will study the World Heritage Committee resolution on Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear after Thailand quits the convention.

Abhisit said the concerned agencies would prepare information for the post-election government to handle the issue.

Suwit, head of the Thai delegation to the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris, arrived in Bangkok early Monday. He announced on Saturday Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention following a decision by the agency's secretariat to push ahead with consideration of Cambodia's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple.

The prime minister also referred to Noppadon Pattama, a legal adviser to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and former foreign minister, who criticised his government of failing to secure support from other nations at the Paris meeting.

"Khun Noppadon should have realised that what he did in 2008 has caused us a big difficulty . We have tried to remedy it over the past three years by working against the consideration of the (temple) management plan in the overlapping area," he said.

"Please do not forget that Thaksin was once a personal adviser of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen."

Noppadon signed a joint statement with Cambodia on June 18, 2008 while he was foreign minister in a previous government and sought the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.

Abhisit said the withdrawal from the UN heritage body is "not the end of the game" but that Thailand must "protect our territory and prevent any move in the international arena that will affect our sovereignty."

To prevent any intrusion into Thai territory following the withdrawal, Abhisit said he had discussed with the military who assured him that troops are on alert around the clock and keep him updated of the situation.

Meanwhile, Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said he believed the withdrawal would not make the Thai-Cambodian border dispute worse but that bilateral relations will be at risk if the meeting proceeds.

He said both sides have redeployed troops along the border. The Thai army affirmed that its move was simply aimed at defending national sovereignty. The army chief also urged villagers living along the border not to panic.

-- The Nation 2011-06-27

[geovalin]

UNESCO Clarifies Move on Preah Vihear Plan

The UNESCO has released a statement claiming that it has never intended to deliberate the management plan of the Preah Vihear Temple and that its main objective is only to protect and preserve the World Heritage site.

Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova has released a statement through its website, expressing her regret on the Thailand's decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Committee.

In the statement, Bokova pointed out that the committee was found in 1972 with the sole purpose of protecting and preserving the world's natural and cultural treasures.

The statement also refuted claims made by numerous media agencies. It stated that the committee never intended to deliberate the management plan of the Preah Vihear Temple.

etc.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-27

So, now it's obvious for the whole world: the only aim of Suwit's lies was to create troubles to show that Dems are ready to "save" the country and to bring a few more votes on Sunday. Well, a tiny war on Friday is still welcome.

If Suwit is in a good faith, it means he's a little bit paranoid.

Edited June 27, 2011 by geovalin

[wintermute]

There's a real possibility that this temple could be destroyed before the final "resolution" in world court. When that happens then they can finally come to an agreement that there's nothing left to argue about anymore.

I'm expecting such a King Solomon's judgement scenario to happen any day now. Both sides are not interested in compromise only flexing their puny nationalistic muscles at each other.

Edited June 27, 2011 by wintermute

[AnNieChAa]

We encouragement duty soldiers in the protection of national sovereignty.

[gregb]

Legally nothing has changed, well at least for another 12 months anyhow.

http://whc.unesco.org/?cid=175

Article 35

1. Each State Party to this Convention may denounce the Convention.
2. The denunciation shall be notified by an instrument in writing, deposited with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
3. The denunciation shall take effect twelve months after the receipt of the instrument of denunciation. It shall not affect the financial obligations of the denouncing State until the date on which the withdrawal takes effect.

Read more here

http://asiancorrespo...t=Google+Reader

It is quite clear in terms of financial obligations. It says nothing about respecting decisions which were made after notification of withdrawl. The wording is unclear, and would be open to debate and interpretation. The fact that it is nebulous means Thailand has the legitimate right to interpret the clause in the most suitable manner until such time as a governing body with which it has a treaty rules otherwise. Therefore Thailand can continue to resist Cambodian attempts to develop the area without violating any treaties to which they are a party.

That was the whole idea, and it was a good one.

UNESCO Clarifies Move on Preah Vihear Plan

...

The statement also refuted claims made by numerous media agencies. It stated that the committee never intended to deliberate the management plan of the Preah Vihear Temple.

OK, the interesting part is what the WHC meant when they say "they never intended to deliberate the management plan". If that was so, why then did they even submit a compromise plan that they knew Thailand disagreed with? They could have simply left the plan in arbitration pending agreement by the 2 sides. Something doesn't add up at all. This seems like it might be damage control by the WHC.

Edited June 27, 2011 by gregb

[Buchholz]

UNESCO Clarifies Move on Preah Vihear Plan

...

The statement also refuted claims made by numerous media agencies. It stated that the committee never intended to deliberate the management plan of the Preah Vihear Temple.

OK, the interesting part is what the WHC meant when they say "they never intended to deliberate the management plan". If that was so, why then did they even submit a compromise plan that they knew Thailand disagreed with? They could have simply left the plan in arbitration pending agreement by the 2 sides. Something doesn't add up at all. This seems like it might be damage control by the WHC.

Odd also is how all the media managed to get it wrong.

Whenever that gets written, things are very suspect.

[webfact]

Foreign Ministry: Next Cabinet to Write Letter to Approve Withdrawal

The foreign affairs minister has said that the next government is to come up with an official document to legitimize Thailand's decision to leave the World Heritage Convention, adding that the matter will not affect aid for two Thais still jailed in Cambodia.

Secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Chavanond Intarakomansut said no commitment will come into effect with Thailand, following the withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention even though the world body meeting approves the Preah Vihear Temple management plan proposed by Cambodia.

After abandoning the world body, Thailand is supposed to submit an official document, and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti is set to forward the matter to seek approval from the next Cabinet as this interim government has no authority to approve a proposal that has a commitment for the subsequent administration.

Chavanond believes the departure from the World Heritage Convention will not affect the rescue of two Thais detained in Phnom Penh for trespassing in Cambodian territory as the two issues have nothing to do with each other.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-28

[mogoso]

We encouragement duty soldiers in the protection of national sovereignty.

As my step son is in the Thai Army, I hope an agreement is reached that will be peaceful and fair to the Thai people.

[metroman]

Unfortunately the UN has been come a bloated organization of nonproductive bureaucrats dedicate to advancing their own agenda.

A good idea doomed because it depends on the goodwill of people.

[PingManDan]

Whaaaaaaaaaaa, I am going to grab my toys and leave, man these Thai's are like little kids, never say loose face to a Thai