Asia-Pacific

Cambodia to ask UN to deploy forces in 'buffer zone'

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-07 15:37

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday that Cambodia will ask the United Nations to sent forces to "a buffer zone" at disputed border area in order to avoid further clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops.

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Hun Sen made the remarks at the graduation ceremony of Norton University. "We have sent forces to Sudan, to Chad, to Central Africa, now we ask the United Nations' forces to be the 'buffer zone' for us in order to avoid fighting."

The clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops have already caused many seriously damages to the temple of Preah Vihear, a World Heritage, according to the report from Cambodian military stationed at the border area.

Cambodian and Thai troops have exchanged fire for five times since Feb 4, and both sides have used heavy weapons  including rockets, machine guns, mortars and artillery.  

The issue of Preah Vihear temple has been an age-old dispute. Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand have had border conflict due to Thai claim of the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple, triggering a military build-up along the border.