News Desk
Daily Xpress
09-07-2008
Thailand loses its bid to share the cultural spoils with Cambodia as Unesco lists Preah Vihear a World Heritage site. Political, legal battles here could lead to impeachment hearings for the Cabinet
Overjoyed Cambodians were dancing in the streets yesterday on hearing news that the UN cultural agency has granted World Heritage status for the ancient Hindu temple disputed between Cambodia and Thai-land.
Despite a long-standing territorial conflict over land around the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, the 21-nation World Heritage Committee approved Cambodia's application to register the site at an Unesco meeting in Quebec, Canada.
"This is another pride for Cambodia and our people as well as for the people in the region and the world as a whole," Prime Minister Hun Sen says.
Watching on television, people held Cambodian flags as they listened to the PM's morning statement. Pagodas across the capital sounded their gongs as people rushed to markets and government offices to celebrate the listing.
At the temple, 200 Cambodians living near the entrance to the temple cheered in delight and welcomed World Heritage. Thai Si Sa Ket residents expressed disappointment and dismay.
Sukhum Wongprasit, a Thai activist, says his group will continue its rally to reclaim sovereignty over the disputed land using non-violent tactics.
Arunsak Ocharos, another activist, calls on the military to "show their professional pride" by protecting Thai soil.
The Constitution Court had earlier ruled that a joint communique Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama signed with Cambodia over Preah Vihear Temple in June is unconstitutional.
Court secretary-general Paiboon Warahapaiboon says signing of such an agreement with Cambodia needs approval from Parliament.
"The joint communiqu้ with Cambodia is considered a treaty in accordance with the Vienna Convention of 1969 and the Constitution's article 190 and as such needs approval from Parliament," he says.
The World Heritage status has sparked a political and legal battle that could lead to impeachment hearings for the Cabinet.
In 1962 the World Court ruled the temple belongs to Cambodia, although the main entrance lies at the foot of a mountain in Thailand. The exact boundary through the surrounding area has caused years of disputes.
Daily Xpress
09-07-2008
Thailand loses its bid to share the cultural spoils with Cambodia as Unesco lists Preah Vihear a World Heritage site. Political, legal battles here could lead to impeachment hearings for the Cabinet
Overjoyed Cambodians were dancing in the streets yesterday on hearing news that the UN cultural agency has granted World Heritage status for the ancient Hindu temple disputed between Cambodia and Thai-land.
Despite a long-standing territorial conflict over land around the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, the 21-nation World Heritage Committee approved Cambodia's application to register the site at an Unesco meeting in Quebec, Canada.
"This is another pride for Cambodia and our people as well as for the people in the region and the world as a whole," Prime Minister Hun Sen says.
Watching on television, people held Cambodian flags as they listened to the PM's morning statement. Pagodas across the capital sounded their gongs as people rushed to markets and government offices to celebrate the listing.
At the temple, 200 Cambodians living near the entrance to the temple cheered in delight and welcomed World Heritage. Thai Si Sa Ket residents expressed disappointment and dismay.
Sukhum Wongprasit, a Thai activist, says his group will continue its rally to reclaim sovereignty over the disputed land using non-violent tactics.
Arunsak Ocharos, another activist, calls on the military to "show their professional pride" by protecting Thai soil.
The Constitution Court had earlier ruled that a joint communique Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama signed with Cambodia over Preah Vihear Temple in June is unconstitutional.
Court secretary-general Paiboon Warahapaiboon says signing of such an agreement with Cambodia needs approval from Parliament.
"The joint communiqu้ with Cambodia is considered a treaty in accordance with the Vienna Convention of 1969 and the Constitution's article 190 and as such needs approval from Parliament," he says.
The World Heritage status has sparked a political and legal battle that could lead to impeachment hearings for the Cabinet.
In 1962 the World Court ruled the temple belongs to Cambodia, although the main entrance lies at the foot of a mountain in Thailand. The exact boundary through the surrounding area has caused years of disputes.
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