The Bangkok Post
Thursday July 03, 2008
Unesco: Heritage panel can decide if it'll listen
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
The Administrative Court's injunction against Thailand's support of the listing of Preah Vihear might not overrule the joint communique signed by Thailand and Cambodia on May 22 in Paris, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
In a reply letter to appointed senator M.R. Priyanandana Rangsit, Sheldon Shaeffer, director of the Unesco office in Bangkok, said Thailand may try to protest against the listing in its capacity as an observer before the 21-member World Heritage Committee.
In the joint communique, Thailand gave support for Cambodia's proposed listing of the ancient Khmer temple ruins. The court's injunction last Saturday put on hold the government's moves concerning the temple.
The government said the joint communique was signed on June 18 between Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An in Bangkok one day after receiving cabinet endorsement.
It contradicted information held by the UN agency, which said it was signed on May 22.
Mr Noppadon was in Paris to hold talks with Mr Sok An and Unesco to find a way out for the issue on that day.
The committee is meeting in Quebec, Canada, until July 10 to approve new sites, and the Preah Vihear temple is on the agenda.
However, Mr Shaeffer said whether Thailand can address the committee depends on its chairwoman Christine Cameron.
''Should Thailand consider that the information concerning the proposed inscription of Preah Vihear on the list lacks important elements that need to be brought to the attention of the committee, it may address the meeting in its capacity as observer, based on the consent of the chairperson of the committee as per the rules of procedure,'' said Mr Shaeffer in the letter.
It is unclear whether the government's change in stance on the listing will affect Cambodia's proposal to list the temple.
''This joint communique has been brought to the attention of the World Heritage Committee for consideration as part of the nomination file. The World Heritage Committee will have to take the final decision on this matter,'' Mr Shaeffer said.
However, Unesco has forwarded M.R. Priyanandana's petition which requested deferral of the inscription of Preah Vihear to the committee.
On June 24, M.R. Priyanandana and her fellow senators sent a petition to Unesco, asking that consideration of the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site be deferred on the grounds that the ancient ruins should not be proposed for listing by Cambodia alone, as it borders both Thailand and Cambodia.
The senators urged Unesco to examine all the information coming out of Cambodia.
In his letter, Mr Shaeffer said Unesco has no responsibility over World Heritage list nominations.
Thursday July 03, 2008
Unesco: Heritage panel can decide if it'll listen
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
The Administrative Court's injunction against Thailand's support of the listing of Preah Vihear might not overrule the joint communique signed by Thailand and Cambodia on May 22 in Paris, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
In a reply letter to appointed senator M.R. Priyanandana Rangsit, Sheldon Shaeffer, director of the Unesco office in Bangkok, said Thailand may try to protest against the listing in its capacity as an observer before the 21-member World Heritage Committee.
In the joint communique, Thailand gave support for Cambodia's proposed listing of the ancient Khmer temple ruins. The court's injunction last Saturday put on hold the government's moves concerning the temple.
The government said the joint communique was signed on June 18 between Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An in Bangkok one day after receiving cabinet endorsement.
It contradicted information held by the UN agency, which said it was signed on May 22.
Mr Noppadon was in Paris to hold talks with Mr Sok An and Unesco to find a way out for the issue on that day.
The committee is meeting in Quebec, Canada, until July 10 to approve new sites, and the Preah Vihear temple is on the agenda.
However, Mr Shaeffer said whether Thailand can address the committee depends on its chairwoman Christine Cameron.
''Should Thailand consider that the information concerning the proposed inscription of Preah Vihear on the list lacks important elements that need to be brought to the attention of the committee, it may address the meeting in its capacity as observer, based on the consent of the chairperson of the committee as per the rules of procedure,'' said Mr Shaeffer in the letter.
It is unclear whether the government's change in stance on the listing will affect Cambodia's proposal to list the temple.
''This joint communique has been brought to the attention of the World Heritage Committee for consideration as part of the nomination file. The World Heritage Committee will have to take the final decision on this matter,'' Mr Shaeffer said.
However, Unesco has forwarded M.R. Priyanandana's petition which requested deferral of the inscription of Preah Vihear to the committee.
On June 24, M.R. Priyanandana and her fellow senators sent a petition to Unesco, asking that consideration of the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site be deferred on the grounds that the ancient ruins should not be proposed for listing by Cambodia alone, as it borders both Thailand and Cambodia.
The senators urged Unesco to examine all the information coming out of Cambodia.
In his letter, Mr Shaeffer said Unesco has no responsibility over World Heritage list nominations.
Mr Noppadon will lead a Thai delegation to Quebec to oppose the proposed listing of Preah Vihear during the committee meeting.
The Foreign Ministry's advance team went to Quebec last Tuesday. Mr Noppadon, who is expected to be in Canada from Saturday until next Tuesday , yesterday reaffirmed the ministry's stance to comply with the Administrative Court's temporary injunction against the joint communique with Cambodia.
He said that the letter on the court injunction has been sent to Unesco, the 21-member committee, and Cambodian ambassador to Thailand Ung Sean who came to the ministry to receive the letter himself. ''Thailand will show its position to the World Heritage Committee that we cannot support the content of joint communique,'' he said.
The government on Tuesday asked its legal arm, the Council of State, about what to do in the wake of the Administrative Court's ruling. Meechai Ruchupan, an executive of the Council of State, said the council recommended the government appeal against the order with the Supreme Administrative Court if it disagreed.
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