Nation & World

<< Previous   of   Next >> Heng Sinith / Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Thai soldiers guard a Cambodian Buddhist temple on Thursday.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Saturday, July 19, 2008 Tension grows at temple near Thai border Associated Press PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia -- A Cambodian general said Friday that his troops and Thai soldiers engaged in a tense armed confrontation when Cambodian monks sought to celebrate Buddhist lent near a temple in a disputed border area. The two sides, their guns drawn, faced off late Thursday at a pagoda about 650 feet from the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, but the Cambodians eventually pulled back from what could have blown up into an international incident, Brig. Gen. Chea Keo said. "We exercised patience to prevent weapons from being fired," he said. The conflict over territory surrounding the ancient temple came to a head last week when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application for World Heritage Site status for the temple. Thai activists fear the new status will undermine Thailand's claim to nearby land since the border has never been demarcated. Thai soldiers entered the surrounding area Tuesday, staking out positions at a nearby Buddhist temple compound. However, some resident Cambodian monks remained and Cambodian soldiers have continued to visit them. Chea Keo said 50 Cambodian soldiers went to the pagoda compound Thursday planning to spend the night, but the two sides raised their rifles at each other when the Thais moved to evict them. The standoff lasted about 10 minutes, he said. Tensions appeared to have eased Friday, with soldiers from both countries at times mingling and talking. Still, both countries added reinforcements ahead of a meeting Monday between military leaders to discuss the dispute. "The premier is very concerned about the tension," Thai Lt. Gen. Surapon Puenaiyakarn said after a meeting between Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and Thai armed forces commanders Friday. "But he is optimistic that the meeting Monday will provide a positive and peaceful solution." Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wrote a letter to Samak on Thursday saying relations had been "worsening" since Thai troops "encroached on our territory." The dispute has taken a toll on tourism in the area, with the U.S. Embassy recommending Friday that American citizens "defer travel to this area until the situation has been resolved."

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