New Delhi: Senior BJP leader Tarun Vijay
on Friday met Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and urged him
to ensure the protection of the 1000-year-old Preah Vihear
Siva temple located at the country's border with Thailand.
Vijay, a Rajya Sabha member, called on Sok An at the
latter's office in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh after
visiting the heritage temple and offering prayers.
He said the temple, built between 9th and 12th
century, must be preserved at any cost.
It is situated at a conflict zone, with Thailand
claiming that the temple and surrounding locality belongs to
it while the International Court of Justice has given a
verdict in favour of Cambodia.
During the meeting with An, the BJP leader also
discussed the need for declaring the locality as a peace zone.
He said he will meet Buddhist leaders in Thailand tomorrow
seeking their help in resolving the issue.
PTI
First Published: Friday, June 17, 2011, 16:57