UNESCO disappointed at Thai, Cambodian deadlock over disputed temple

UNESCO disappointed at Thai, Cambodian deadlock over disputed temple
14:40, May 28, 2011      
Source: Xinhua 

The Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova expressed her disappointment on Friday after Thai and Cambodian delegations failed to reach an agreement on disputes over the Temple of Preah Vihear.

Though the two parties had "affirmed their will to protect and preserve the Temple," Bokova voiced "her disappointment at the fact that no agreement was reached between the Parties on concrete steps ahead of the forthcoming World Heritage Committee session," the Paris-based UN cultural branch said in a statement.

The 35th session of the World Heritage Committee will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from June 19-29.

Delegations from Thailand and Cambodia have spent three days of bilateral and individual consultations at UNESCO.

"I appeal to both countries to pursue efforts towards achieving a common agreement before the World Heritage Committee session in June in a spirit of cooperation and constructive dialogue," the UNESCO chief said.

Cambodian and Thai border has never been completely demarcated. Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. But Thailand claims the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 square km) of scrub next to the temple.

Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand had a border conflict, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.