Hundreds of Cambodian soldiers have been deployed to the site of the ancient ruin [AFP]AP foreign , Thursday July 17 2008
By SOPHENG CHEANG
Associated Press Writer
PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodia and Thailand escalated their troop buildup Thursday at disputed territory near a historic border temple despite their agreement to hold talks next week to defuse the tensions, a Cambodian general said.
Cambodian Brig Gen. Chea Keo said the Thais now have more than 400 troops near the Preah Vihear temple, up from about 200 the day before, and Cambodia has about 800 troops there, up from 380 the day before.
Cambodia claims the Thai troops crossed the border into Cambodian territory on Tuesday in renewed tensions over land near Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple. Thailand maintains it is protecting its sovereignty and ensuring that any protests among Thais near the temple remain orderly, although a Thai military source has acknowledged the troops are on ``disputed'' ground.
The border around Preah Vihear has never been fully demarcated.
Despite the potential for a flare-up among the hundreds of armed troops, both sides gave assurances that conflict would be avoided and the atmosphere around the temple appeared relaxed.
Cambodian soldiers snapped photographs of their opponents just yards (meters) away and some tourists, including one American women, visited the spectacular site.
The long-standing conflict over the territory near was revived by Thai anti-government protesters in recent weeks, coming to a head after Cambodia's application for World Heritage Site status for the temple was granted last week with the endorsement of Thailand's government.
Both countries claim 1.8 square miles (4.6 square kilometers) around thetemple, and the activists have revived nationalist sentiment over the issue, fearing the temple's new status will jeopardize claims to the land nearby.
However, Thais living just across the border sought to calm the situation.
Hundreds of villagers in Sisaket province blocked a group of Thai anti-government protesters from marching to Preah Vihear on Thursday. Some shouted at the protesters to ``go home'' and stop fomenting trouble as police stood by a barricade blocking the road to the temple.
``We are Thais. We should be able to talk about this'' to settle any differences, villager Ubondej Panthep said.
One protest leader, Pramoj Hoimook, said Cambodians have settled on Thai soil ``and we want to correct that.''
On Wednesday night, Cambodia said it agreed with Thailand to hold defense minister talks next Monday to ease tensions. On Thursday, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat confirmed the meeting.
Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Cambodia would not ``use force unless attacked'' and that the ``situation was stable.''
Thai army commander Gen. Anupong Paojindasaid likewise said he has ordered his troops not to use force.
Tharit said that Thai troops were atop the 1,722-foot (525-meter) cliff on which the temple is located, but that they were on Thai-claimed territory, not inside Cambodia. However, a senior Thai military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, acknowledged Wednesday that Thai troops were inside ``disputed border territory.''
Thai troops gathered in groups or slept in hammocks near the temple. Many took up positions inside the compound of a Cambodian Buddhist pagoda about 220 yards (200 meters) west of the 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple.
Six Cambodian monks remain, surviving on alms from Cambodian soldiers who continue to visit them despite the Thai occupation.
To block Thai troops from advancing further, Cambodian soldiers, some carrying B-40 rocket launchers, remained only a few yards (meters) away from the alleged trespassers. Some snapped pictures with their mobile phones.
Most of the 900 Cambodian villagers living nearby fled their homes when the confrontation began Tuesday. However, some Cambodian and foreign tourists risked possible harm Thursday by visiting the temple. One of them was 39-year-old Liz Shura from New York City.
``It's a little frightening for me, but I don't think I am actually in danger,'' Shura told an Associated Press reporter, discounting the possibility of violence. ``The temple is extraordinary. It's really amazing.''
---
Associated Press writers Sutin Wannabovorn and Ambika Ahuja in Bangkok and Ker Munthit in Phnom Penh contributed to this report.
By SOPHENG CHEANG
Associated Press Writer
PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodia and Thailand escalated their troop buildup Thursday at disputed territory near a historic border temple despite their agreement to hold talks next week to defuse the tensions, a Cambodian general said.
Cambodian Brig Gen. Chea Keo said the Thais now have more than 400 troops near the Preah Vihear temple, up from about 200 the day before, and Cambodia has about 800 troops there, up from 380 the day before.
Cambodia claims the Thai troops crossed the border into Cambodian territory on Tuesday in renewed tensions over land near Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple. Thailand maintains it is protecting its sovereignty and ensuring that any protests among Thais near the temple remain orderly, although a Thai military source has acknowledged the troops are on ``disputed'' ground.
The border around Preah Vihear has never been fully demarcated.
Despite the potential for a flare-up among the hundreds of armed troops, both sides gave assurances that conflict would be avoided and the atmosphere around the temple appeared relaxed.
Cambodian soldiers snapped photographs of their opponents just yards (meters) away and some tourists, including one American women, visited the spectacular site.
The long-standing conflict over the territory near was revived by Thai anti-government protesters in recent weeks, coming to a head after Cambodia's application for World Heritage Site status for the temple was granted last week with the endorsement of Thailand's government.
Both countries claim 1.8 square miles (4.6 square kilometers) around thetemple, and the activists have revived nationalist sentiment over the issue, fearing the temple's new status will jeopardize claims to the land nearby.
However, Thais living just across the border sought to calm the situation.
Hundreds of villagers in Sisaket province blocked a group of Thai anti-government protesters from marching to Preah Vihear on Thursday. Some shouted at the protesters to ``go home'' and stop fomenting trouble as police stood by a barricade blocking the road to the temple.
``We are Thais. We should be able to talk about this'' to settle any differences, villager Ubondej Panthep said.
One protest leader, Pramoj Hoimook, said Cambodians have settled on Thai soil ``and we want to correct that.''
On Wednesday night, Cambodia said it agreed with Thailand to hold defense minister talks next Monday to ease tensions. On Thursday, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat confirmed the meeting.
Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Cambodia would not ``use force unless attacked'' and that the ``situation was stable.''
Thai army commander Gen. Anupong Paojindasaid likewise said he has ordered his troops not to use force.
Tharit said that Thai troops were atop the 1,722-foot (525-meter) cliff on which the temple is located, but that they were on Thai-claimed territory, not inside Cambodia. However, a senior Thai military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, acknowledged Wednesday that Thai troops were inside ``disputed border territory.''
Thai troops gathered in groups or slept in hammocks near the temple. Many took up positions inside the compound of a Cambodian Buddhist pagoda about 220 yards (200 meters) west of the 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple.
Six Cambodian monks remain, surviving on alms from Cambodian soldiers who continue to visit them despite the Thai occupation.
To block Thai troops from advancing further, Cambodian soldiers, some carrying B-40 rocket launchers, remained only a few yards (meters) away from the alleged trespassers. Some snapped pictures with their mobile phones.
Most of the 900 Cambodian villagers living nearby fled their homes when the confrontation began Tuesday. However, some Cambodian and foreign tourists risked possible harm Thursday by visiting the temple. One of them was 39-year-old Liz Shura from New York City.
``It's a little frightening for me, but I don't think I am actually in danger,'' Shura told an Associated Press reporter, discounting the possibility of violence. ``The temple is extraordinary. It's really amazing.''
---
Associated Press writers Sutin Wannabovorn and Ambika Ahuja in Bangkok and Ker Munthit in Phnom Penh contributed to this report.
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