UN flag to fly at Preah Vihear temple.
The UNESCO in Cambodia has decided to fly flags with the UN World
Heritage logo and national Cambodian flags at Preah Vihear temple to
protect the ancient structure from damage caused by possible gunfire
from Thailand during an ongoing border row with Cambodia, officials
announced yesterday, newspapers report.
Hang Sot, general director of the Preah Vihear National Authority, said
that UNESCO and Cambodian officials agreed during a Wednesday meeting
that both the UN and national Cambodian flags will be flown at the
entrance to Preah Vihear temple and on its five masonry spires in the
near future, Rasmei Kampuchea reports.
The agreement came after Cambodia and Thai soldiers exchanged gunfire
Oct 15 in an escalating standoff that began when Preah Vihear temple was
listed as a Cambodian World Heritage Site in mid July. Bullets and
shrapnel from Thai aggressors have already damaged stone steps, lion
statues and other parts of the temple, Rasmei Kampuchea reports.
"Last week, we compiled reports with pictures [of the damaged objects]
in a video and sent them to the UNESCO in Cambodia," Hang Sot said,
adding that UN flags at Preah Vihear would urge Thailand not to fire at
Preah Vihear temple.
While observers express concern that any armed conflict over disputed
border areas near Preah Vihear temple, a potential source of lucrative
tourist revenues, would almost certainly cause damage to the ancient
sanctuary, talks between Cambodia and Thailand to end the dispute are
unlikely to reach an agreement soon, not least because of Thailand's
massive political instability.
However, military officials from both sides are expected to sign
agreements in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap today that will ease
tensions, Koh Santepheap reports. Promises to refrain from provocations
that likely caused the Oct 15 fire fight that killed three Cambodians
and an uncertain number of Thai soldiers are though to be on the cards.
Similar promises could also come from veteran Cambodian Prime Minister
Hun Sen and his recently-appointed Thai counterpart if they meet during
the Asia-Europe summit today and tomorrow, despite the fact that the two
countries have reportedly been building up military forces along the
border ready for war.
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