Suwit takes off for temple talks

via Khmer NZ

Published: 24/07/2010

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti is in Paris today to meet with Unesco director-general Irina Bokova to express Thailand's concern over the Preah Vihear temple issue.

Suwit: Admits it’s a very tough mission

Unesco's World Heritage Committee (WHC) will open its annual meeting in the Brazilian capital Brasilia tomorrow, and Mr Suwit will also attend to oppose Cambodia's proposed management plan for the Preah Vihear temple and its buffer zone covering the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area claimed by the two countries.

APINYA WIPATAYOTIN talked with him about his mission before he left the country on Thursday.

Regarding the 34th session of the WHC, what do you expect to happen?

I admit that this mission is very tough for me. Thailand, as one of the WHC's 21 commissioners, has never seen Cambodia's plan, and that means the WHC has not received the plan too despite the fact that WHC rules require such a plan to be submitted six months before the meeting for consideration.

Are you confident that Unesco will listen to our voice?

I believe that since the Preah Vihear temple was registered as a World Heritage site, there have been many confrontations between Thailand and Cambodia, including border confrontations or even between the civic sectors of both sides. This is the point and Unesco needs to listen to the country which is now suffering from its decision.

Moreover, the WHC charter says that a qualification for a World Heritage site is that it brings peace. I do hope that it will cooperate with Thailand to find out the best solution to end the problem.

What is Thailand's position in this round of the WHC meeting?

First of all, I would like to assure the public that I will do my best. My team comprising officers from the Foreign, Defence, Culture, and Natural Resources and Environment ministries has worked very hard for over a year on the mission. So I am confident that we will not let the Thai people get upset.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva previously said clearly that Thailand will not support the Cambodian plan until there is clarity over land demarcation.

In the event the WHC agrees to endorse Cambodia's plan, we will raise a strong objection.

As you told me that Cambodia has not yet submitted its plan to the WHC, do you think this could delay the discussion of the issue?

I don't know. I can't say at the moment whether it is good or bad for Thailand and we need more time to study it.

What is Thailand's progress in submitting other areas near the Preah Vihear temple which are on Thai soil as world heritage sites?

We will not discuss that issue until there is clarity over the land demarcation of the Thai-Cambodian border.