Thursday, August 27, 2009

Group of 40 Senators Not to Approve Agreement between Thailand and Cambodia over Border Dispute



26 August 2009

The group of 40-senators will not approve the Thai-Cambodian draft agreement of settlement of the border dispute, which is scheduled for the Parliament meeting this Friday.

The committee for politics and public participation development of the Senate, together with a civic group observing the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia on the Preah Vihear Temple, organized a seminar entitled 'Preah Vihear Temple: a 4.6-square kilometre area and "the Country's Prestige and Sovereignty", led by Senator Kamnoon Sittisamarn.

Their plan is to petition the government to re-consider the draft agreement made between Thailand and Cambodia to resolve the 4.6 square-kilometre overlapping border area.

Senator Kamnoon revealed the seminar discussed the overlapping border area, and gave a presentation of evidence that showed the Foreign Affairs Ministry supporting the listing of Preah Vihear Temple as Cambodia's World Heritage site.

Kamnoon said the committee had an opinion that the temporary bilateral settlement would eventually lead to the listing of the Preah Vihear Temple as a Cambodian World Heritage site with Thai endorsement. He said that if this happenned, Thailand would lose its sovereignty in the 4.6 square-kilometre overlapping border area.

Kamnoon vowed that the group of 40 senators would oppose the government's attempt to draft the agreement between the two countries.

Their plan is to petition the government to re-consider the draft agreement made between Thailand and Cambodia to resolve the 4.6 square-kilometre overlapping border area.

Senator Kamnoon revealed the seminar discussed the overlapping border area, and gave a presentation of evidence that showed the Foreign Affairs Ministry supporting the listing of Preah Vihear Temple as Cambodia's World Heritage site.

Kamnoon said the committee had an opinion that the temporary bilateral settlement would eventually lead to the listing of the Preah Vihear Temple as a Cambodian World Heritage site with Thai endorsement. He said that if this happenned, Thailand would lose its sovereignty in the 4.6 square-kilometre overlapping border area.

Kamnoon vowed that the group of 40 senators would oppose the government's attempt to draft the agreement between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Senator Paiboon Nititawan revealed that the draft agreement between Thailand and Cambodia on the 4.6 square-kilometre overlapping border area had indicated that Thailand should withdraw its troops from the overlapping area.

He said the agreement would allow Cambodia to take advantage of the overlapping area to support the World Heritage site requirement.

He also added that the government should abolish the resolution made by the former government in 1993 to develop the overlapping area with the Cambodia.

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