FM calls on Unesco to act transparently on temple

Bangkok Post
http://www.bangkokpost.com

By: THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Published: 16/05/2009

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday called on Unesco to act transparently when deciding what it would do with the area near the Preah Vihear temple.

His comments came after reports that Unesco officials had inspected parts of the 4.6 square kilometres of disputed land near the World Heritage site.

As an organisation which responds to the need of its members, Unesco should carry out its activities with transparency and respect Thai sovereignty, he said.

The Foreign Ministry would send official letters to the Unesco headquarters in France and its two offices in Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

In March, the Foreign Ministry sent a letter to Unesco to inform the organisation that it should seek permission from the Thai government if it wishes to conduct any activities in the area surrounding the temple. The World Heritage Committee's approval of Cambodia's proposed listing of Preah Vihear covers only the temple, not the surrounding area, the ministry said.

Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda said yesterday Unesco officials must ask Thailand for permission if they were to enter the territory claimed by both countries.

He said the army has asked the Foreign Ministry to make sure that both Cambodia and Unesco strictly follow the agreements.

"It would be unacceptable if Unesco staff entered the overlapping territory claimed by Thailand," said Gen Anupong.

On Cambodia's demand for 70 million baht compensation for damage following border clashes which destroyed a market near the ancient temple ruins, Gen Anupong said it was hard to prove which side started the fire that destroyed the market.

Any compensation claim should be pursued by private businesses affected, not the state sector, he said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat earlier said the incident on April 3 took place on Thai soil where some Cambodians were staying illegally.

Because Thai and Cambodian troops in the border areas remained on good terms, the lawsuit should not fuel any new border tensions in the disputed area, said Gen Anupong.