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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 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. |
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. | |
Since then, the two sides have held several rounds of talks to resolve the issue, but failed to reach a settlement. | |
UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply concerned" by the violence. | |
'Not an invasion' | |
Both sides played down the prospect of an escalated conflict as the talks got under way near the temple site. | |
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. |
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. |
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 area | 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 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. |