Temple Group Announced on Eve of Decision
The World Heritage Committee is expected to decide on Preah Vihear temple's protection status Tuesday. (07 July 2008)
A local foundation announced Monday the creation of acommittee to support people living near the contentions border temple of Preah Vihear. The Preah Vihear committee was announced by the KhmerCivilization Foundation the day before a decision on the temple's WorldHeritage status is expected. Cambodian officials are seeking the temple's inclusion onUnesco's World Heritage protection list, a move that has made the structure thefocal point of increased tension between Thailandand Cambodia. A 1962International Court ruled the temple belonged to Cambodia,but the surrounding borders are still in dispute. Thousands of protesters tookto the streets of Bangkok in the wake of thetemple's application, claiming a Thai agreement to allow Cambodia toforward the request was tantamount to a cessation of land. A Thai courtsubsequently issued on injunction of Thai support for Cambodia'sapplication Moeung Son, the founder of the Khmer CivilizationFoundation, said plans are in place to build a hospital near the cliff-toptemple. The Foundation, which operates through independent funding fromCambodian residents and expatriates, will hold an inaugural ceremony Friday. Hong Soth, director of the government's Preah VihearNational Authority, said the authority had not yet recognized the foundation. The Foundation will meet with former king Norodom SihanoukWednesday to discuss plans to build a hospital, named after the former monarch,near the temple. The World Heritage Committee, which is currently meeting in Canada,is expected to announce a decision on the temple's protection status Tuesday.