Cambodian PM visits Preah Vihear temple on Cambodian-Thailand border

February 06, 2010
Xinhua

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen arrived at Preah Vihear Temple at noon on Saturday as planned.

Hun Sen and his wife Bun Rany Hun Sen, all in military uniform, were accompanied by hundreds of government officials and armed forces arrived at the temple at around 12:10 pm on Saturday and he was blessed by Buddhist monks and welcomed by blessing dance of Cambodian artists.

It is Hun Sen's first visit to Preah Vihear Temple since the temple was registered as the World Heritage Site in July 2008. Koy Kuong, spokesman of Foreign Ministry said on Friday Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to the border area is to meet with Cambodian armed forces and villagers who are based and living there.

Before arriving at the temple, Hun Sen visited a commanding post of the garrison there under the tight security. He told the soldiers and the people that "Cambodia only wants the border area back to the status before July 15, 2008, when that status returned, I will order to reopen the gateway of Preah Vihear."

Hun Sen also reiterated that "the Royal Government of Cambodia hope to strengthen and develop the cooperation relations with neighboring countries, in an effort to make the border area as a friendly and cooperation one."

The premier also ordered Interior Ministry and National Police take measures to ensure the security of border area, especially the Preah Vihear temple, by the telecommunication system.

Preah Vihear Temple and its vicinity has become a flagship of border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand after the temple was registered as the World Heritage Site in July 2008.