“How about the Thai invasions in 1954 and 1962? Was it also because of the listing of [Preah Vihear Temple]?” asked the Cambodian premier at the celebration of the 13th National Cultural Day held here on Thursday, adding that this is Thailand’s ambition.
He said he was very surprised when UNESCO Special Envoy Mr. Koichiro Matsuura told him that Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya asked UNESCO to delist Preah Vihear Temple from the World Heritage Site.
Mr. Matsuura replied to them that the delisting is impossible because the temple is of outstanding universal value, he said.
On the occasion, Samdech Techo Hun Sen also called on Indonesia, the current Chair of ASEAN, to urgently send its observers to Cambodian border side if Thailand is still reluctant to accept.
According to the Cambodian prime minister, last Saturday, Indonesia sent Cambodia and Thailand the terms of reference including procedures of control and obligation of Indonesian observers at the disputed areas. “We replied to the Indonesia’s request not later than 24 hours, and provided 14 points to Indonesia to observe, and we will open further if necessary,” he said, adding, “The observers will be for 12 months and will extend further.”
“Up to now the Bangkok government said that its foreign minister and defense minister have not met each other on this issue, and its army chief said the observers will not be allowed to observe inside, just in limited areas,” said Samdech Techo Hun Sen. “If Thai does not receive observers, Cambodia will receive alone.”
Premier Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen further reiterated that there will be no bilateral negotiations with Thailand on border disputed area. If Thailand wants to negotiate, it has to ask Indonesia to convene the meeting.
Cambodia continue to negotiate bilaterally with Thailand only in the fields of trade, tourism, etc., he underlined. –AKP
By SOKMOM Nimul
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