|
Washington D.C. (July 29, 2008) An ancient Hindu temple located in the mountains on the Cambodia-Thai border is once again at the center of tension between the two neighboring countries. This most recent flareup occurred after the Preah Vihear Hindu temple complex was listed as a Cambodian World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The listing caused nationalist tensions in both nations and lead to a buildup of 1200 -1500 troops (800-1,000 Cambodian and 400-500 Thai) in and around the large temple complex.
The basis of the current dispute dates back to 1907, when a joint boundary settlement commission placed the temple in Cambodian territory, then under French colonial rule. Subsequently, after Cambodia gained independence in 1954, Thai troops occupied the temple, leading Cambodia to approach the International Court of Justice. The court ruled in favor of Cambodia in 1962 and Thai forces withdrew from the temple complex.
The Preah Vihear Temple was built by the Hindu Khmer Empire in the 10th and 11th centuries, and was dedicated to Lord Shiva, according to Sanskrit inscriptions. The elaborately carved temple is an important part of ancient history and Hindu culture, and must be protected and preserved.
Samir Kalra, Esq., the incoming coordinator for the fifth annual Hindu American Foundation Hindu human rights report due out next year, called on the Thai and Cambodian governments to resolve their dispute peacefully and withdraw their troops from the historic temple complex and surrounding areas.
"The presence of troops and weapons at the temple site violates the sanctity of this Hindu monument, and the temple has already born the scars of decades of fighting," said Kalra. "It is ironic that the much-deserved listing of this heritage site began a conflagration that could destroy it, and we condemn this violent turn of events."
The Hindu American Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-partisan organization promoting the Hindu and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism. Contact HAF at 1-301-770-7835 or on the web at www.HAFsite.org.
|
