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Talks on Thai-Cambodia temple row Talks on Thai-Cambodia temple row
(about 2 hours later)
Generals from Thailand and Cambodia are to hold talks in an attempt to resolve a border dispute which led to soldiers exchanging shots and rocket-fire. Generals from Thailand and Cambodia are holding talks in an attempt to resolve a border dispute which led to soldiers exchanging fire.
Cambodia claims two of its soldiers were killed on Wednesday in clashes near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.Cambodia claims two of its soldiers were killed on Wednesday in clashes near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
The fighting prompted Thailand to urge its nationals to leave Cambodia.The fighting prompted Thailand to urge its nationals to leave Cambodia.
Tensions have been high since July, when hundreds of soldiers on both sides faced off metres apart, but both sides say they want a peaceful solution. Thailand and Cambodia both claim they own the area around the temple, which became a Unesco World Heritage site in June, reigniting cross-border tensions.
Thailand and Cambodia both claim they own the area around the temple, which became a Unesco World Heritage site in June, reigniting lingering nationalist tensions. Since then, the two sides have held several rounds of talks to resolve the issue, but failed to reach a settlement.
The two countries have failed to reach a settlement, despite several rounds of talks. UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply concerned" by the violence.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said the talks scheduled for Thursday were a good sign. He described this week's clash as "an incident between soldiers and not an invasion by Thailand". 'Not an invasion'
UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply concerned" by the violence and urged both sides to show restraint. Both sides played down the prospect of an escalated conflict as the talks got under way near the temple site.
'Good neighbour' Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said the negotiations were a good sign, and described the clash as "an incident between soldiers and not an invasion by Thailand".
New conflict near ancient ruinsIn pictures: Preah Vihear "Our policy to resolve this conflict is through negotiations," Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat toldreporters from Bangkok.
But people on the streets of Phnom Penh were angry.
"We need to defend our land. We must not lose to theThais," security guard Bun Roeun told Reuters news agency. "If the Thais continue their attempt to cross our border, I am ready to join the army to fight back."
Hundreds of Cambodian civilians have fled the border area after Wednesday's gunfight.
'Death zone'
Both sides claim the other opened fire first on Wednesday, in an exchange that lasted about an hour.Both sides claim the other opened fire first on Wednesday, in an exchange that lasted about an hour.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7672506.stm">New conflict near ancient ruins class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7352186.stm">In pictures: Preah Vihear Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said two soldiers had been killed and two wounded while Thai officials said five Thai troops had been wounded. Cambodian authorities said two soldiers had been killed and two wounded, while Thai officials said five Thai troops had been wounded.
Cambodia also claimed that 10 Thai soldiers had been captured, but this was denied by Bangkok.Cambodia also claimed that 10 Thai soldiers had been captured, but this was denied by Bangkok.
After fighting broke out, Thailand alerted air force jets and readied transport planes to evacuate Thai nationals from Cambodia.
But Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said the fighting was "small scale" and that he was committed to reaching a settlement over the issue with Cambodia, which he described as "a good neighbour".
'Death zone'
The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally.The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally.
More than 1,000 soldiers from both countries moved into the area, digging trenches into the rough terrain around the temple.More than 1,000 soldiers from both countries moved into the area, digging trenches into the rough terrain around the temple.
TEMPLE DISPUTE TIMELINE 1970s-1990s: Khmer Rouge guerrillas occupy site2001-2002: Thai troops block access over water rowJuly 2008: Unesco lists temple as a World Heritage SiteJuly 2008: Thai FM quits after court rules he violated constitution for backing Cambodia's Unesco bidJuly 2008: Both sides move troops to temple areaAugust 2008: Troops withdrawn after high-level talksOctober 2008: Fighting erupts around temple areaTEMPLE DISPUTE TIMELINE 1970s-1990s: Khmer Rouge guerrillas occupy site2001-2002: Thai troops block access over water rowJuly 2008: Unesco lists temple as a World Heritage SiteJuly 2008: Thai FM quits after court rules he violated constitution for backing Cambodia's Unesco bidJuly 2008: Both sides move troops to temple areaAugust 2008: Troops withdrawn after high-level talksOctober 2008: Fighting erupts around temple area
Cambodia claimed that Thai troops had recently returned to the area after both sides agreed in August to withdraw their personnel.Cambodia claimed that Thai troops had recently returned to the area after both sides agreed in August to withdraw their personnel.
Thailand has denied that its troops entered Cambodian territory.Thailand has denied that its troops entered Cambodian territory.
But on Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened to turn the area into a "death zone" if the Thai troops did not withdraw.But on Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened to turn the area into a "death zone" if the Thai troops did not withdraw.
The dispute centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.The dispute centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.
The temple is only accessible from Thailand and the area around it is heavily mined - a legacy of Cambodia's long war against the Khmer Rouge guerrillas.The temple is only accessible from Thailand and the area around it is heavily mined - a legacy of Cambodia's long war against the Khmer Rouge guerrillas.
An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.
Disputes between the two countries date back centuries when the Thai and Khmer monarchs fought each other for territory and power.Disputes between the two countries date back centuries when the Thai and Khmer monarchs fought each other for territory and power.