Monday, 29 December 2008

Thailand, Cambodia to cooperate on Preah Vihear

BANGKOK, Dec. 28 (PNA/VNA) -- Thailand would maintain cooperation with Cambodia over the historic and controversial Hindu temple, new Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said.

"In general, it is our intention to cooperate with Cambodia and the UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation)," the Foreign Minister was quoted by The Nation of Thailand as saying.

The minister said Thailand should have a representative in the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) to protect and develop Cambodia's Preah Vihear.

He added that he would not change previous foreign ministry resolutions with Phnom Penh.

The Preah Vihear case would be handled in line with the 1904 and 1907 Siam-Franco treaties, the 1962 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling and the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on boundary demarcation, he said.

The ICJ ruled in 1962 that the Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia but the surrounding land -and access to it- have remained in dispute. (PNA/VNA)

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