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Cambodia, Thailand on Brink of War

Tensions escalate at disputed temple in border region

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 23, 2008 5:17 AM CDT

(Newser) – Cambodia has appealed to the UN to help defuse an "imminent state of war" with Thailand, the Daily Telegraph reports. Some 1,500 troops armed with heavy artillery are in a standoff at an ancient temple in a disputed frontier area. Cambodian officials are accusing Thailand of aggression and say thousands of Thai troops are massing at the border.

The clash started last week when three nationalist Thai protesters jumped a fence near the temple and were arrested by Cambodian soldiers. They were swiftly released, but both sides began pouring troops into the area. Negotiations between Thai and Cambodian officials have failed and villagers along the border have begun training with weapons and shoring up bunkers.

Cambodian soldiers stand at Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, Sunday, July 20, 2008.
Cambodian soldiers stand at Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, Sunday, July 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Str)
Sunrise looks over Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple near the Cambodian-Thai border in Preah Vihear, Cambodia Monday, July 21, 2008.
Sunrise looks over Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple near the Cambodian-Thai border in Preah Vihear, Cambodia Monday, July 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Thai soldiers stand guard at a Cambodian Buddhist temple complex which they have occupied Saturday, July 19, 2008 near Preah Vihear temple, Preah Vihear province, Cambodia.
Thai soldiers stand guard at a Cambodian Buddhist temple complex which they have occupied Saturday, July 19, 2008 near Preah Vihear temple, Preah Vihear province, Cambodia.   (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian soldiers walk in the foggy morning as they patrol around Preah Vihear temple, Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, Thursday, July 17, 2008.
Cambodian soldiers walk in the foggy morning as they patrol around Preah Vihear temple, Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, Thursday, July 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian soldiers carrying B-40 rocket launchers walk outside a Buddhist pagoda occupied by Thai soldiers near Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia Tuesday, July 22, 2008.
Cambodian soldiers carrying B-40 rocket launchers walk outside a Buddhist pagoda occupied by Thai soldiers near Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia Tuesday, July 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
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