Cabinet assent for map of Preah Vihear

Way now clear for World Heritage listing

POST REPORTERS

Noppadon: Will unveil details `within days'

The cabinet yesterday approved the new map of Prasart Preah Vihear, clearing the way for Cambodia to propose the temple to Unesco as a World Heritage site.

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said the main point of concern to the cabinet was whether the map would affect the disputed area of 4.6 square kilometres on the border near the site.

The minister said that land, which has not been demarcated, was excluded from the new map and Thailand did not lose any sovereignty.

''The Foreign Ministry should get flowers instead of bricks for handling the issue,'' he said.

Mr Noppadon, who has come under severe criticism for his handling of the issue, said the map will be made public within days.

Earlier, the minister said the map would be made public only after Unesco approved the temple as a World Heritage site.

Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) yesterday rallied at the ministry and announced they would return today to demand Mr Noppadon clarify the Preah Vihear temple's borders, saying the public still held suspicions of conflicts of interests.

Mr Noppadon denied any hidden agenda in dealing with the issue.

Phnom Penh will propose Preah Vihear, called Khao Phra Viharn in Thai, to the meeting of Unesco's World Heritage Committee which begins in Quebec on July 2.

It needs backing from Thailand, which will be reflected in their joint statement.

The disputed border area will be left for the two countries to settle, Mr Noppadon said.

Navy chief Adm Sathirapan Keyanont said the new map, drawn by Cambodia, was acceptable as it reached only 20-30 metres from the Preah Vihear temple and did not encroach on the disputed area.

Cabinet approval came after the National Security Council endorsed the revised map on Monday.

The army has called for the ministry to hold talks with Cambodia about clearing away shops and houses of Cambodians that have been in the disputed area for eight years, an army source said.

''The Foreign Ministry should tell Cambodia to remove all those structures before the World Heritage listing,'' said the source.

The Senate committee on foreign affairs is about to officially ask the ministry and Unesco to delay World Heritage consideration of the ancient temple.

Senator M.R. Preeyanantana Rangsit said that under Article 190 of the constitution the government must seek approval from parliament before supporting any agreement that could affect Thai territory.