UN boss 'deeply concerned' on Thailand-Cambodia spat

07 Feb, 2011
AFP

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Sunday he is "deeply concerned" about cross-border fighting between Cambodia and Thailand and called for "maximum restraint" on both sides.

Clashes over disputed territory have claimed at least five lives while displacing thousands of villagers, and on Sunday resulted in damage to an 11th century temple, according to Cambodia, despite a ceasefire announced Saturday.

"The secretary-general is deeply concerned by reports of repeated armed clashes," Ban's office said in a statement."The secretary-general appeals to both sides to put in place an effective arrangement for cessation of hostilities and to exercise maximum restraint," the statement said.

The ancient Preah Vihear temple, which is surrounded by disputed territory, was damaged Sunday by Thai artillery fire, according to Cambodia, which said one wing of the building had "collapsed" as a result.

Relations between the neighbors have been strained since Preah Vihear was granted UN World Heritage status in July 2008.

Thailand and Cambodia accuse the other of starting the ongoing clashes. The UN statement said Ban also called on the countries to find a solution "through established mechanisms and arrangements and a spirit of dialogue and good neighbourly relations."

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urged the UN Security Council to hold an urgent meeting "so as to stop Thailand's aggression" which has "gravely threatened peace and stability in the region".

But Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn rejected the accusation that his country was the aggressor, saying: "Thailand has clear policy that we will not invade any country."

Ban's statement did not address the request for an urgent meeting of the Security Council, but ended: "The United Nations remains at their disposal to assist in these peaceful efforts."

The World Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear itself belonged to Cambodia, although its main entrance lies in Thailand and the 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) area around the temple is claimed by both sides.