Joint communique has no legal biding : FM

The minister said the document clearly stated: "pending for cabinet approval.

"Cambodia cannot use such document to support it's application," he said.

In a reply letter to a group of senators who lodged protest concerning Preah Vihear Temple, Sheldon Saeffer, Director of Unesco (Bangkok) reminded the country's Upper House that Thailand expressed formal support for the temple to be listed as a World Heritage Site in the agreement signed by Noppadon and Sok An in Paris on May 22.

"Such commitment to cooperate for the management and protection of the temple of Preah Vihear was reiterated and formalised by the Joint Communique recently signed by the Minister of Foreign Affiars of Thailand and by the Vice Prime Minister of Cambodia in Paris on 22 May 2008.

This Joint Communique has been brought to the attention of the World Heritage Committee for consideration as part of the nomination file," the letter said.

Noppadon said it was clearly mentioned in the document that it would be an official one once approved by the Thai government.