Cambodia denies requesting UN intervention over temple dispute

Jul 20, 2008, 9:03 GMT

Phnom Penh - Cambodia denied allegations Sunday that it had asked for UN intervention in a border dispute with Thailand, and said it still hoped to settle the matter bilaterally through diplomatic channels.

'Thailand's claims we have asked for United Nations intervention over Preah Vihear are wrong. Our mission in New York has sent a letter (to the UN) advising on the situation, but Prime Minister Hun Sen wants to settle the matter directly with Thailand,' government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said.

The two sides are gearing up for talks in Thailand Monday in the dispute over 4.6 kilometres of land surrounding the 11th-century border temple of Preah Vihear that was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site this month.

Thailand objected to the listing, and tensions boiled over Tuesday and have continued to escalate.

Cambodia says Thai troops have entered its territory, but Thailand maintains that hundreds of its soldiers are in undefined territory that does not legally belong to Cambodia.

'We are optimistic that Monday's talks may solve some issues - let's wait and see,' Kanharith said.

He declined comment on reports the border standoff between more than 1,000 troops from both sides was worsening, or that Thailand had begun moving in heavy artillery on the eve of the talks.

'Let's just focus on the talks,' he said.

Cambodian state television station TVK aired extensive footage Saturday night of an international delegation's visit to the temple, including the Chinese and Vietnamese military attaches to Cambodia.

The Vietnamese wore full military uniform.