BBC NEWS
Thursday, 16 October 2008
On the cloud-shrouded Thai-Cambodian border looms an ancient temple, Preah Vihear. But instead of peace and prayer, the temple has lately been host to gunfire and bloodshed. 
The two countries have long disputed the ownership of the land around the temple, and the tensions erupted into violence on Wednesday.
At least two Cambodian soldiers died in the clash, while soldiers on both sides were injured. Images of casualties have further inflamed nationalist tensions in both nations.
The dispute goes back decades. A 1962 international court ruling awarded the temple to Cambodia, but the division of the surrounding land remains undecided.
On Thursday joint patrols were agreed in a bid to ease the tension. But there has been little progress on the core issue of how to divide the territory - which could offer lucrative tourist revenues.
Meanwhile, the friction has seen thousands of scared local villagers - mainly Cambodians - flee the area.
Despite ceremonies for peace like this one, correspondents say governments on either side of the divide have an interest in keeping nationalist feeling alive, and the risk of fresh clashes remains.
For the time being, despite the serene surroundings, the tensions look set to continue.
1 comment:
Please join action in petition to end border conflict in our beloved country byt give your thumb print. Please get the form from: http://cambodiancoalition.org/uploads/48d103d5-3786-08ec.pdf
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