Tuesday, 03 August 2010
By Cheang Sokha
Phnom Penh Post
A REPRESENTATIVE of the Royal Cabinet wrote to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday in a bid to resolve the ongoing standoff over the status of Preah Vihear temple and other disputed areas along the border.
In a letter from Beijing, Prince Sisowath Thomico (pictured), an adviser to King Norodom Sihamoni, stated that the two countries had an interest in putting aside territorial disputes for the “harmony” of the region.
“Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our people by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development,” he wrote.
“My dearest wish, Your Excellency, would be to see Preah Vihear standing as the enduring symbol of the reconciliation between our two nations, of the harmony of our relationship, and a model of fruitful cooperation between the two neighbours.”
The letter comes as a meeting of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s World Heritage Committee concludes in Brazil today.
On Thursday, the WHC acknowledged receiving Cambodia’s management plan for Preah Vihear, but deferred its consideration until a meeting set to be held in Bahrain in 2011.
Thai officials had vowed to oppose the plan, and threatened to withdraw from UNESCO if they were not appeased.
The annual meeting has become a flashpoint between Cambodia and Thailand ever since the WHC listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site in July 2008. Bangkok opposes the listing, claiming a 4.6-square-kilometre area adjacent to the 11-century temple.
In a weekly address on Sunday, Abhisit said Thailand had obtained the Cambodian management plan and would look to see if it violates “Thai sovereignty” in the border area.
But Tith Sothea, spokesman for the Council of Ministers’ Press and Quick Reaction Unit, said yesterday that since Cambodia’s plan had been submitted to the WHC, Thai attempts to raise the matter were meaningless.
“I think Abhisit’s knowledge on heritage issues is limited – he does not understand the facts, the work of heritage and its progress,” he said. “His manner is to provoke nationalism and [give out] misleading information to gain politically.”
Tith Sothea said Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who headed the Cambodian delegation to Brazil, would return to Cambodia on Saturday.
4 comments:
Is this man knows what he is talking about?
9:24, well, read and then read it again multiple times until you get it.
Well, his letter was very diplomatic, but very meaningful. After reading it the Thai PM must be very shameful that his ancestors had stolen large Khmer territories and now he is trying to steal some more. Shame on you, Thais.
This case should be sent to UN/WC by the so called CPP.
To ask Thai to restrain on the border fighting is like giving Thai government a hint that Cambodia government would consider to offer them some more land.
To me you can not accept this behaviour.
The same story on the border, when the Thai commander came and ask Gen. Srey Doek to withdraw his troops from his camp he should not reply to Thai commander that I would ask my superior fisrt. Srey Doek knows that his camp is inside Cambodia. So,he should reply to Thai commander with strong words. Fuck off! I will kill you if you dare to step in my mother land.
In war we do not let the enemies to attack us first and we attack them later. That old classic children's strategy. Please do not let your soldiers taking pictures with Thai soldiers. It like you have a robbers come to your house raped you daughter/ wife and you having dinner with them.
I would like all Khmers to stop using Thai products and stop flying to Cambodia via Thailand. There is no need to ask Thai government to send its diplomats back to PP. Cambodia can live without trading with both Thai and Vietnam for the rest of our life. Be strong!
True Khmer
Post a Comment