Cambodia and Thailand agree to UN-sponsored meeting over temple damage
March 12th, 2011 - 12:21 am ICT by BNO NewsUNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) — Cambodia and Thailand on Friday agreed to a United Nations-sponsored meeting over the damage caused to an historic temple during the recent border clashes.
Representatives from both countries will meet to discuss ways to safeguard the Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage List site. The meeting will be held at the Paris headquarters of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on May 25.
The meeting was the result of the efforts from Koïchiro Matsuura, UNESCO’s Special Envoy for Preah Vihear. The UN body sent a mission to assess the damage caused to the temple which dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said that the upcoming dialogue will focus on the effective conservation of Preah Vihear. In February, clashes between the two countries resumed as both sides claimed the disputed territory in which the temple is located.
Tensions first escalated between the two countries in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the Preah Vihear temple. The United Nations Security Council urged both sides to establish a permanent ceasefire after at least 10 people were killed.
In 2008, the Hindu temple, Preah Vihear, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in recognition of its outstanding universal value. It is considered an outstanding example of Khmer architecture and consists of a complex of sanctuaries linked by pavements and staircases on an 800-metre-long axis.
“World Heritage sites are the heritage of all humanity and the international community has a special responsibility to safeguard them. This requires a collective effort that must be undertaken in a spirit of consultation and dialogue,” said Bokova.
The temple dedicated to Shiva, was built in the first half of the 11th century AD. The site is exceptional for the quality of its carved stone ornamentation and its architecture, adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple.
“Heritage should unite people and serve as an instrument of dialogue and mutual understanding and not of conflict,” added the UNESCO Director-General.
- UNESCO to assess damage to Hindu temple in Cambodia - Feb 09, 2011
- UNESCO names Special Envoy to damaged Shiva temple on Thai-Cambodia border - Feb 12, 2011
- Thai PM says Cambodian troops must leave border to solve dispute - May 08, 2011
- Hindus want disputed Thai-Cambodia Hindu Shiva temple be transferred to UN control - Feb 06, 2011
- Cambodia appeals Hindus for help to safeguard landmark Preah Vihear Shiva temple - Mar 05, 2011
- Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire - Apr 28, 2011
- Thai-Cambodia clashes continue into fifth day - Apr 26, 2011
- Cambodia and Thailand continue border clashes for the fourth day - Apr 26, 2011
- At least 1,500 Cambodian troops leave disputed border with Thailand - Sep 01, 2011
- Thailand quits World Heritage Convention - Jun 27, 2011
- Thailand, Cambodia to hold border talks - Aug 12, 2011
- Hindus upset at damage to landmark Hindu temple by Thai-Cambodian clashes - Feb 07, 2011
- Four gopuras of landmark Shiva temple on Thai-Cambodia border damaged: Hindus concerned - Feb 09, 2011
- Thai-Cambodia peace talks postponed as clashes continue - Apr 27, 2011
- Thai-Cambodia border clashes enter 11th day - May 02, 2011
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