AFP
PREAH VIHEAR (Cambodia) - CAMBODIAN officials erected flags and signs near an ancient Khmer temple in a bid to protect the landmark, after accusing Thai troops of damaging it in a recent border gunfight.
In a ceremony at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, which sits alongside the disputed border with Thailand, Cambodian officials raised a World Heritage flag and signs declaring it an international cultural property under special protection.
Mr Hang Soth, director general of the agency which cares for the site, said two signs each nearly two-metres-wide were also placed on towers of the temple, facing the sky to prevent 'jet strikes'.
'We put up signs in order to ban Thai soldiers from firing at the temple,' Mr Hang Soth said after the ceremony which was not attended by UN officials.
Preah Vihear was hit by rocket and bullet fire during October 15 troop clashes on disputed land which left three Cambodians and one Thai dead.
The Cambodian government blamed Thai troops for damage to a staircase and a sculpture, but Thailand denies the charge.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia flared in July when Preah Vihear was awarded UN World Heritage status, rekindling a long-simmering dispute over ownership of land surrounding the temple.
Although the World Court ruled in 1962 that it belonged to Cambodia, the most accessible entrance is in Thailand's northeastern Si Sa Ket province and the recent conflict has fuelled nationalism on both sides of the border.
Cambodian and Thai officials are scheduled to hold border talks next week in Cambodian tourist hub Siem Reap.
In a ceremony at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, which sits alongside the disputed border with Thailand, Cambodian officials raised a World Heritage flag and signs declaring it an international cultural property under special protection.
Mr Hang Soth, director general of the agency which cares for the site, said two signs each nearly two-metres-wide were also placed on towers of the temple, facing the sky to prevent 'jet strikes'.
'We put up signs in order to ban Thai soldiers from firing at the temple,' Mr Hang Soth said after the ceremony which was not attended by UN officials.
Preah Vihear was hit by rocket and bullet fire during October 15 troop clashes on disputed land which left three Cambodians and one Thai dead.
The Cambodian government blamed Thai troops for damage to a staircase and a sculpture, but Thailand denies the charge.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia flared in July when Preah Vihear was awarded UN World Heritage status, rekindling a long-simmering dispute over ownership of land surrounding the temple.
Although the World Court ruled in 1962 that it belonged to Cambodia, the most accessible entrance is in Thailand's northeastern Si Sa Ket province and the recent conflict has fuelled nationalism on both sides of the border.
Cambodian and Thai officials are scheduled to hold border talks next week in Cambodian tourist hub Siem Reap.
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