Heritage Temple Will Bring Benefits: Officials

By Poch Reasey, VOA Khmer
Washington
03 June 2008

Khmer audio aired June 02 (24.4MB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired June 02 (24.4MB) - Listen (MP3)

Cambodia will gain many benefits once Preah Vihear temple receives Unesco's World Heritage Site status, a government spokesman said Monday.

The temple will receive recognition and financial assistance, once approved, said Phay Siphan, Council of Ministers spokesman, as a guest on "Hello VOA."

"Cambodia will also be able to develop its tourism, which will lead to poverty reduction," he said.

Michael Tranet, the former vice president of Unesco's Cambodia committee, said the recognition of Preah Vihear temple as Cambodian represented a second victory for the country, the first coming from then king Norodom Sihanouk's winning the temple in world court hearing.

Unesco will make a formal announcement of the temple's World Heritage status in July, Phay Siphan said.

Sean Pengse, president of the Cambodia Border Committee, based in Paris, told VOA Khmer recently that Cambodia should submit the temple as well as the surrounding area for protection.