Cambodians cheer World Heritage nod for temple

Cambodians cheer World Heritage nod for temple
RSS wants Angkor Wat Temple included in seven wonders

Ashadh Shuddha Saptami

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA: CAMBODIANS celebrated in the streets yesterday over their nation’s success in having an ancient Hindu temple named a World Heritage landmark.

But the decision is set to stoke political tensions in Thailand, with the top court questioning the legality of Bangkok’s support for the Cambodian bid.

In Phnom Penh, thousands of people danced, sang and waved flags, chanting ‘Long live Preah Vihear temple!’ in response to news of the World Heritage Site status.

‘This is a very auspicious day for us. We’re delighted,’ said medical student Ti Vansi.

Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a statement yesterday, calling the temple’s designation ‘a new pride for the people of Cambodia’.

Unesco spokesman Joanna Sullivan said on Monday that the temple had been designated a heritage site at a meeting in Quebec City.

The building, which lies along the disputed Thai-Cambodian border, has long been a point of contention between the two countries.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles with Thais, even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor Wat in north-western Cambodia.

Cambodia started seeking the World Heritage status for the temple in 2001, hoping for the influx of tourists and international funding that normally accompany such a designation.

In the past, Thailand had vetoed its neighbour’s submissions for fear that the status would include disputed land along the border.

But Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s government bypassed Parliament and endorsed Cambodia’s application.

Yesterday, the Constitutional Court ruled 8-1 that the communique approved by the Cabinet last month needed parliamentary approval.

The opposition Democrat Party pounced on the verdict, saying it would launch a Senate petition to oust Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, who had sought Cabinet approval for the communique.

Under the Constitution, lawmakers can ask the Speaker to investigate unconstitutional actions by a minister.

‘We are aiming to terminate Noppadon first,’ chief opposition whip Satit Wongnongtaey said, adding that a petition to remove the entire Cabinet may eventually be submitted.

ASSOCIATED PRESS, REUTERS

Source: travel.asiaone.com

RSS wants Angkor Wat Temple included in seven wonders

New Delhi : As a campaign to include the Taj Mahal among the seven new wonders of the world gathers momentum, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has pitched for including the 12th century Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia in the category.

An article in the party mouthpiece Organizer said: ‘We should also undoubtedly join the campaign to enable this enduring symbol (Taj Mahal) of our country to make it to the top seven. But, equally significant, both for all Indians and Hindus across the globe is the presence of the world’s largest Hindu temple, Angkor, among the 21 finalist candidates in the campaign to choose the new Seven Wonders of the World.’

It appealed to the people to also vote for Angkor Wat saying, ‘So, if Taj deserves your vote, click the mouse for Angkor Wat too. It is as much ours as is the Taj’.

The article goes to say, ‘Angkor not only reminds us of our ancient glory but also symbolises the deep impact Indian culture had across the globe, particularly Southeast Asia. After the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas by Taliban in Afghanistan, Angkor remains the most potent symbol of the glory of Hindu culture outside of India.’

India had helped to conserve the Angkor temple complex between 1986 and 1993 when no other country was willing to volunteer because of the political instability in Cambodia. During this period, the Indian government spent about Rs.30 million in carrying out renovation work.

The Angkor Wat, spread over 200 sq km, encompasses some 300 temples of varying styles and sizes. It is the largest archaeological site in the world and the scene of one of the most intensive restoration efforts. It was built by King Suryavarman II between 1113 and 1150 AD and is seen as a masterpiece of Khmer architecture.

The shortlist of 21 for the new seven wonders of the world was chosen by a panel of world-renowned architects and former UNESCO Chief Federico Mayor in January 2006 out of 77 public nominations. Amongst those in the list are the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Alhambra castle in Granada, Spain, the Acropolis in Greece, the Great Wall of China and the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.

Source: www.yahoo.com