Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is confident
that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation will postpone consideration of Cambodia's management plan
for the disputed border area around the Preah Vihear temple ruins.
"We keep talking with Unesco. If they don't postpone it [as we have
proposed], they should know that we can no longer work with them," Mr
Abhisit said.
The premier's remarks came as the Thai delegation, headed by Natural
Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, takes part in the
annual Unesco meeting in France which began on Sunday and lasts until
June 29.
Mr Abhisit said Cambodia was the only country that had opposed
Thailand's proposal to delay consideration of the management plan.
Cambodia's proposed plan, which sets measures to manage the
11th-century Hindu ruins and nearby disputed area of 4.6 sq km, is
opposed by Thailand. Bangkok wants the WHC to delay consideration of the
plan until border demarcation work is completed.
Mr Suwit also expressed confidence that the World Heritage Committee would agree to postpone the plan.
Unesco director-general Irina Bokova understands the problem and
wants Thailand and Cambodia to jointly seek a solution before seeking
consensus from the committee, he said.
Thailand yesterday hosted a dinner for the WHC members to seek
support to become the host of the annual meeting next year. Cambodia and
Russia are also competing to be the host.
Bangkok Post
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