Monday, July 28, 2008

Cambodia, Thailand resume talks to end armed standoff near ancient temple on border

July 28, 2008
The Associated Press

SIEM REAP, Cambodia: Cambodia and Thailand have resumed talks aimed at ending an armed standoff near a historic Hindu temple over a long-running border dispute.

Officials from both countries are expressing optimism that a solution is near. The dispute that has prompted the Southeast Asian neighbors to post several thousand troops near 11th century Preah Vihear temple for nearly two weeks.

Tensions between the two countries over a 1.8-square-mile slice of land escalated this month after UNESCO approved a Cambodian application to designate the temple a World Heritage site.

Officials have traded barbs over whose to blame for the diplomatic stalemate. So far, though, neither side has fired a shot.

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