Cambodia asking UN to create “buffer zone”
Cambodia’s prime minister, Han Sen, is calling on the UN to provide troops for a “buffer zone” after violence flared on the border with Thailand near the eleventh-century Preah Vihear, a Hindu temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site. At least five people have been killed, another 45 were injured, and 6,000 have fled the local area in Thailand due to the violence. Three of those killed were soldiers and the other two were civilians, one from each side. Cambodia says that Thailand shot first and damaged the temple. Thai officials deny they caused any damage and say they only shot in self-defense. UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon says he is “deeply concerned.” Thailand and Cambodia both claim ownership of the temple, which the International Court of Justice awarded to Cambodia in 1962.