Bangkok--Mar 10--MFA
With reference to reports in some Thai newspapers that Cambodia’s plan to inscribe the Temple of Preah Vihear on the UNESCO World Heritage List would result in Thailand losing 7.2 square kilometres of territory to Cambodia, on 7th March 2008, Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information and Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Spokesperson, responded to reporters’ questions on the said matter as follows:
1. In principle, Thailand has no objection to Cambodia’s submission to the World Heritage Committee and to UNESCO for the inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List. Thailand acknowledges the cultural and historical value of the Temple, which should be recognised as having universal value. Thailand accepts the judgment of the International Court of Justice in 1962 which stated that the Temple of Preah Vihear itself belongs to Cambodia. The Royal Thai Government views the Temple of Preah Vihear as a symbol of the close and long-lasting friendship between the two countries.
2. Nevertheless, Thailand reiterates that any action on this matter by Cambodia or any other party must not prejudice Thailand’s territorial rights over the area subject to overlapping boundary claims by Thailand and Cambodia. The precise location of the land boundary in the area is yet to be located. Since 2000, the two sides have agreed to commence survey and demarcation of the land boundary, a process that is still ongoing. However, in Cambodia’s nomination file to UNESCO for the inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List, an accompanying map with proposed zones immediately surrounding the Temple and indicative boundary line overlapped areas subject to Thailand’s territorial claims. Thailand must consequently reaffirm its rights over the area, until the demarcation of the boundary is completed, as it is an issue that affects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two parties. The Royal Thai Government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been taking measures to protect and reaffirming Thailand’s rights through diplomatic channels and under international law.
3. Therefore, if there were to be the inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List, to achieve the reconstruction, rehabilitation and development of this important historical site, the Thai side wishes to first have a clear and formal agreement on a temporary special joint management mechanism to oversee the overlapping territory until the boundary demarcation is completed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in consultations with the Cambodian side on this matter. The Thai side is of the view that the establishment of a joint management mechanism would facilitate the inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List to be both meaningful and implementable. In other words, it would allow for activities concerning the maintenance of the Temple, conservation of the environment and facilitation of visits by researchers, students and tourists, to smoothly proceed for the mutual benefit of the Thai and Cambodian people, without concerns over the overlapping boundary claims and the need to wait for the completion of boundary demarcation, which is likely to take some time.
4. Thailand and Cambodia already have in place a mechanism for boundary demarcation, namely the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), which is working in accordance with the MOU on the Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary between Thailand and Cambodia B.E. 2543. Thailand is ready to work with Cambodia within the framework of this MOU in order to demarcate the land boundary.
5. Referring to some news reports that Thailand will lose territory, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that
- Currently, the process to inscribe the Temple of Preah Vihear on UNESCO’s World Heritage List is yet to be complete. It is still ongoing, and whether or not the Temple of Preah Vihear is inscribed on the World Heritage List, the work of UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee do not in any way affect boundary issues. The UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of World Culture and Natural Heritage of 1972 states that the listing of World Heritage sites does not affect territorial claims. Furthermore, UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee have both acknowledged that they have no authority, jurisdiction or mandate on boundary issues; their interest and responsibilities are only in cooperation on culture and history.
- Cambodia’s position in the past, whether during discussions at the Prime Ministerial level, at the Foreign Ministerial level and in correspondence between senior figures in the Cambodian Government and the Thai side, has indicated that Cambodia wishes to gain Thailand’s support for the inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List. Furthermore, Cambodia’s Foreign Minister has sent a Note affirming that the zonings for the purposes of the World Heritage listing does not constitute the demarcation of the boundary.
- For the Thai side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has always taken the necessary measures under international law to protect Thailand’s territorial rights, and will continue to do so.
Consequently, the Thai people should rest assured that Thailand will not lose territory. Negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia are still ongoing, on the basis of the close friendship and good neighbourliness between the two countries, which should soon ensure a peaceful resolution of the matter for the mutual benefit of the two sides.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
With reference to reports in some Thai newspapers that Cambodia’s plan to inscribe the Temple of Preah Vihear on the UNESCO World Heritage List would result in Thailand losing 7.2 square kilometres of territory to Cambodia, on 7th March 2008, Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information and Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Spokesperson, responded to reporters’ questions on the said matter as follows:
1. In principle, Thailand has no objection to Cambodia’s submission to the World Heritage Committee and to UNESCO for the inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List. Thailand acknowledges the cultural and historical value of the Temple, which should be recognised as having universal value. Thailand accepts the judgment of the International Court of Justice in 1962 which stated that the Temple of Preah Vihear itself belongs to Cambodia. The Royal Thai Government views the Temple of Preah Vihear as a symbol of the close and long-lasting friendship between the two countries.
2. Nevertheless, Thailand reiterates that any action on this matter by Cambodia or any other party must not prejudice Thailand’s territorial rights over the area subject to overlapping boundary claims by Thailand and Cambodia. The precise location of the land boundary in the area is yet to be located. Since 2000, the two sides have agreed to commence survey and demarcation of the land boundary, a process that is still ongoing. However, in Cambodia’s nomination file to UNESCO for the inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List, an accompanying map with proposed zones immediately surrounding the Temple and indicative boundary line overlapped areas subject to Thailand’s territorial claims. Thailand must consequently reaffirm its rights over the area, until the demarcation of the boundary is completed, as it is an issue that affects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two parties. The Royal Thai Government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been taking measures to protect and reaffirming Thailand’s rights through diplomatic channels and under international law.
3. Therefore, if there were to be the inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List, to achieve the reconstruction, rehabilitation and development of this important historical site, the Thai side wishes to first have a clear and formal agreement on a temporary special joint management mechanism to oversee the overlapping territory until the boundary demarcation is completed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in consultations with the Cambodian side on this matter. The Thai side is of the view that the establishment of a joint management mechanism would facilitate the inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List to be both meaningful and implementable. In other words, it would allow for activities concerning the maintenance of the Temple, conservation of the environment and facilitation of visits by researchers, students and tourists, to smoothly proceed for the mutual benefit of the Thai and Cambodian people, without concerns over the overlapping boundary claims and the need to wait for the completion of boundary demarcation, which is likely to take some time.
4. Thailand and Cambodia already have in place a mechanism for boundary demarcation, namely the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), which is working in accordance with the MOU on the Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary between Thailand and Cambodia B.E. 2543. Thailand is ready to work with Cambodia within the framework of this MOU in order to demarcate the land boundary.
5. Referring to some news reports that Thailand will lose territory, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that
- Currently, the process to inscribe the Temple of Preah Vihear on UNESCO’s World Heritage List is yet to be complete. It is still ongoing, and whether or not the Temple of Preah Vihear is inscribed on the World Heritage List, the work of UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee do not in any way affect boundary issues. The UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of World Culture and Natural Heritage of 1972 states that the listing of World Heritage sites does not affect territorial claims. Furthermore, UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee have both acknowledged that they have no authority, jurisdiction or mandate on boundary issues; their interest and responsibilities are only in cooperation on culture and history.
- Cambodia’s position in the past, whether during discussions at the Prime Ministerial level, at the Foreign Ministerial level and in correspondence between senior figures in the Cambodian Government and the Thai side, has indicated that Cambodia wishes to gain Thailand’s support for the inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List. Furthermore, Cambodia’s Foreign Minister has sent a Note affirming that the zonings for the purposes of the World Heritage listing does not constitute the demarcation of the boundary.
- For the Thai side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has always taken the necessary measures under international law to protect Thailand’s territorial rights, and will continue to do so.
Consequently, the Thai people should rest assured that Thailand will not lose territory. Negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia are still ongoing, on the basis of the close friendship and good neighbourliness between the two countries, which should soon ensure a peaceful resolution of the matter for the mutual benefit of the two sides.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-