PM believes he can soothe Hun Sen

By: Bangkok Post
http://www.bangkokpost.com

Published: 19/06/2009

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva believes he will be able to explain to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Thailand's intention to oppose Cambodia's unilateral listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site at next week's meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Seville, Spain.

He was responding to Hun Sen's expression of "deep regret" over Mr Abhisit's suggestion the two countries should jointly administer the temple.

The prime minister said he tries to be careful every time he gives an interview on this matter, to avoid spaking another clash of troops in disputed areas of the border around Preah Vihear.

The Thai government wants the two countries to cooperate in this and many other areas, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban reiterated that the issue is between Thailand and the World Heritage Committee, which under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), and not between Thailand and Cambodia.

He said Thailand and Cambodia are neighbours, and the Thai government tries to prevent new conflicts arising.

Mr Suthep said he also would find time to meet Hun Sen to explain this matter.


On Thursday, Hun Sen said Thailand's plan to approach Unesco afresh on the matter threatened to violate Cambodia's sovereignty.

"I deeply regret that he has raised this issue now because this was not part of our decisions last week," he said at the Cambodian Foreign Ministry. "I doubt his plan will be successful."

Mr Abhisit met Hun Sen in Phnom Penh for talks last week.

The temple was granted to Cambodia in a 1962 under an International Court of Justice ruling. Thailand and Cambodia both claim the land around the site.

In July last year, the World Heritage Committe gave Preah Vihear temple World Heritage site status at the request of Cambodai, despite Thail objections.