The Relentless Conflict in Preah Vihear Temple
Monday, January 12, 2009 - Editor: Tiep Seiha
By Him Sokunthea
The successful registration of Preah VIhear temple as a world heritage on 7th July 2008 gave Cambodian citizens great joy. They recognized the temple must be preserved and protected for all countries around the world. Unfortunately, this clasification led to Thailand troops surrounding the temple one week after the site had been registered: Fighting broke out between the Thai and Cambodia troops on 30th December 2008, resulting in the deaths of three Cambodian soldiers and more than ten Thai military.
Over the years, numerous meetings have taken place between Cambodia and Thailand, without any fruitful consequence.
Council of ministry spokesman of Cambodia, Phay Siphan said, “It is perfectly clear from the France-Thai treaties of 1904 and 1907 the temple belongs to us; therefore, the Thais are not eligible to claim the temple as their own.
“A few Thai troops currently remain in the vacinity of Preah Vihear temple and both sides promise not to engage in further gunfire,” said Phay Siphan.
Hour Namhong, minister of the ministry of foreign affair, spoke of the new dialogue. “We still pursue joint negotiations as we both need peace for our people. We are scheduled to have an additional meeting during January 2009.”
“The Thai government officials recently have renewed their accusation that Cambodia intentionally planted new mines around the temple, in contradiction of the Ottawa agreement. Even though the Thai invasion onto Cambodia land was illegal, we did not lay new mines.”
The Thai side disagree. “Cambodia should take responsibly for these mine blasts”, a Thai government official said at an international conference in Switzerland on Monday. “We will forward a complaint to the Unite Nations about these issues.”
However Phay Shiphan, speaking by phone, rejected the accusation out-of-hand. “The mines were leftover from civil war times – we have never planted new mines.”
