PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE
By The Nation
By The Nation
Published on June 20, 2009
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday dismissed suggestions he was trying to sabotage Cambodia's desire to live up to its obligations as agreed with Unesco following the granting of World Heritage status to historic Preah Vihear Temple.
Abhisit on Wednesday told reporters he would ask Unesco, which administers the temple under Cambodian supervision, to launch a review into the administration of the ancient site, because he wanted peace to prevail in the area first.
The disputed area has seen a military stand-off and gunfights between the two sides over the past year.
"My intention is not to upset the people of Cambodia, but rather to see peace in the area," Abhisit said.
He said he had no objection to working with the Cambodians to develop the historic site under Unesco guidance but suggested military tensions must first be alleviated and that a comfort level between the two sides must first be achieved before Thailand could contribute to the effort.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday expressed "deep regret" over Abhisit's suggestions.
"I deeply regret that he has raised this issue now, because this was not part of our discussions last week," he told reporters at the Cambodian Foreign Ministry. "I doubt his plan will be successful."
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