Monday, July 12, 2010

Preah Vihear Listing Setback Played Down


Thai black-clad soldiers playing cards inside Cambodia's Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda


The Region 2 Army has asserted that the registration of the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site will not affect the Thai- Cambodian border dispute and insisted that the situation in the area remains normal.

Region 2 Army Commander Lieutenant General Wewalit Jormsamrit said that the Thai-Cambodian border situation remains unchanged in light of the World Heritage Committee's consideration to name the Preah Vihear Temple as a Cambodia's World Heritage site on July 25.

He believes Cambodia will stand by its demand but must take into consideration the arguments that the Thai government submitted to the World Heritage Committee.

One of the demands made by Thailand is that no structure be allowed within the ten-kilometer radius of the temple grounds.

Nonetheless, Cambodia has relocated its local community within the ten-kilometer radius with the exception of the community market.

Regarding Cambodia's campaign against Thailand's involvement in the Preah Vihear dispute, the Region 2 Army commander said Cambodia has the right to do so as long as it does not violate Thailand's territorial rights or bilateral relations between the two nations.

Wewalit added that no additional forces were required since local border officials from both countries are in good terms.

Meanwhile, about 50 Ubon Ratchathani University students marched around the university grounds in a campaign to protect 1.8 million rai of land in eight eastern and northeastern provinces that Cambodia is claiming to be its soil, using the French territorial map.

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