Thai assistance led to approval for temple listing

With active support from Thailand, Cambodia presented to the World Heritage Committee the following photos and captions that describe how Thai leaders have supported Phnom Penh's nomination of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site.

1. Photo showing Thai prime minister Samak Sundaravej during a meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen. The meeting took place on March 3 and 4. The captions say both countries agreed to cooperate on various issues, including the nomination of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site.

2. Photos of a meeting between Cambodian deputy prime minister Sok An and Thai Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Veerasak Futrakul on May 6. The caption says both countries agreed that Cambodia will officially nominate Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site at the 32nd meeting of the World Heritage Committee in July.

3. Photos of a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Cambodia's Highway 48. The caption says Thai foreign minister Noppadon Pattama and Cambodian deputy prime minister Sok An attended the ceremony. The caption also said that when they met, Cambodia received assurance that Thailand would support Cambodia's nomination.

4. Photos of a meeting convened in Paris on May 22. The captions give a summary of the meeting.

Furthermore, the fact that Thailand has not protested against Cambodia's nomination, and has not attempted to seek a joint nomination nor complained about Cambodia fabricating facts in its nomination file (since Noppadon stepped aside) sufficiently proves to the World Heritage Committee that Thai officials have already provided active support.

Although the Thai government later withdrew the statement signed as a result of the May 22 meeting from documents submitted to the World Heritage Committee, it falls short of raising an objection to Cambodia's nomination. Therefore, a statement dated on May 6 is still in effect. In addition, Noppadon, who apparently supported Cambodia's bid, was serving as Thai foreign minister at the time the World Heritage Committee considered the nomination file.

Given all these circumstances, Thailand's gestures seemed to support Cambodia's nomination of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site as long as the registration did not affect the borderline or the overlapping area claimed by both countries. In its nomination file, Cambodia has revised details in a way that the registration of Preah Vihear seems not to cause any such effect.

If that is really the case, Thailand should not suffer when the World Heritage Committee approves Cambodia's nomination. However, the World Heritage Committee stated that Cambodia's working panel should cooperate with Unesco in convening an international coordinating committee for the safeguarding of the property by no later than February 2009.

Representatives from Thailand and no more than seven international partners (in other words, representatives from seven countries) must be invited to review general policies about safeguarding the universal value of Preah Vihear Temple in line with international conservation standards.

Although such a clause seems harmless, the definition of "safeguarding the universal value of Preah Vihear Temple and its area in line with international conservation standards" can have far-reaching effects. It could even encompass the management of the sprawling area around Preah Vihear, which includes historical structures on Thai soil. These structures stretch northward from the ancient temple to the area in Thai territory.

Even though they are declared as unimportant parts of the Preah Vihear Temple, international conservation standards usually cover all elements of a World Heritage site to ensure the site is outstanding and in an environment appropriate for a place accorded such prestigious status.

Dr Adul Wichiencharoen, the former chairman of the national committee on World Heritage protection, said the clause, item 14, in the World Heritage Committee's resolution is rather unusual. He pointed out that the committee has never used international mechanisms in developing conservation plans for World Heritage sites. The representation from up to seven countries - in addition to those from Cambodia and Thailand - is very much an international mechanism in nature. Adul said by having representatives from seven countries in the coordinating committee, Thailand's voice risked being ignored.

"The representatives from other countries may join forces in objecting to Thai views if we have a different opinion," Adul said.

He added that such a scenario happened at a Siem Reap meeting, which took place in January this year.

"How can Thailand retain its sovereignty if we are pressured by other nations to give in to a plan to manage an area in our territory," Adul commented.

Dr Srisak Wallipodom, a noted historian and archaeologist, also mentioned that there was a "hidden agenda" in the resolution to allow up to seven other countries to manage the area around Preah Vihear.

Srisak suggested Thailand should from now on refuse to recognise the World Heritage Committee's resolution on the grounds that it lacks legitimacy and mainly intends to develop a tourist attraction.

However, Srisak said all relevant agencies in Thailand must also diligently explain why the country took such a stance.

"Without proper explanation, Thailand's reputation may be damaged," he said. "We must point out that the registration of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site is based on distorted facts."

Speaking at a recent seminar, Srisak said the government must establish a national-level committee to work on this.

"A deputy prime minister should be assigned to chair the committee because the work will concern various ministries," he said. Experts and knowledgeable officials should be recruited to help with this work.

Mr. Prime Minister, I write this article without any intention to teach the crocodile how to swim. I just want to present information that some people have yet to see. Many people have been trying to punish those who they think have left our country at a disadvantage in the Preah Vihear case.

I am concerned that we may forget to tackle the real other party in the dispute - the enemy within. This party is fearsome and is not easy to deal with.