PHNOM PENH,
Oct. 27, 2011 – Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Sok An encouraged Russian
diplomats on Wednesday to contribute to the preservation and conservation of
ancient temples by restoring a temple in Siem Reap, the home of Angkor.
In a meeting
Thursday with H.E. Mr. Alexander Ignatov, the Ambassador of the Russian
Federation to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Dr. Sok An said that the country has an
estimated 1,000 temples, many of which are in great need of restoration and
conservation. In Siemreap alone there are about 90 temples.
The Director
of the ASEAN Center of Russia in Moscow, Prof. Victor Sumkiy, who was also in
the meeting, said through translation that he shared the views of Dr. Sok An
concerning conservation of the historic site, but Moscow needs to know more
details about which temple before it could grant assistance for repairing it.
The
diplomats are touring this week with officials from the National Apsara
Authority in Siemreap.
Dr. Sok An
told the diplomats that UNESCO listed Angkor in 1992, the same year that the
International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of
the Historic Site of Angkor (ICC-Angkor) was established, co-chaired by France
and Japan.
Since then
more than 60 temple restoration projects have been carried out in Siemreap
province, with support from 16 countries, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Some donors
who have finished their initial restoration projects have agreed to restore
other temples.
Last year
China completed restoration of the Chao Say Tevoda temple, which was built in
the late 11th to first half of the 12th century, a small temple to the east of
Angkor Thom. Beijing also agreed to restore another temple, Takeo, east of
Angkor Thom. It is one of the first temples built of sandstone.
France,
which has just finished the major restoration of the Baphuon, agreed to restore
another temple, the Mebon, built in the 10th century by Rajendravarman.
India, which
is now restoring Ta Prohm, built in the Bayon style in the late 12th and early
13th centuries, announced in June that it will also restore Preah Khan in
Kompong Svay, 100 km to the east of Angkor.
Japan’s
preservation and conservation of the Bayon temple, built in late 12th century
in the center of the city of Angkor Thom, is one of the most important
monuments within Angkor Park.
Hungary is
restoring Koh Ker temple, a huge temple complex that served as the capital of
the Khmer empire for a brief period between 928AD and 944AD.
Switzerland
is helping Cambodia by restoring the red sandstone Banteay Srei temple, which
means "Citadel of Women" and was built in 967. It is decorated with
carved statues and sculptures depicting Buddhist and Hindu influences of the
time.
The United
States is supporting the conservation of Phnom Bakheng temple by awarding the
World Monuments Fund a grant for the restoration and preservation of Phnom
Bakheng, a temple dating back to the 10th century. Washington is now working on
restoration of Preah Khan temple.
Italy is
restoring the Baray, a man-made lake, and fixing statues in Siemreap. Germany
is funding restoration of ancient walls, Dr. Sok An, who is also Minister in
Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, told the diplomats.
In August
this year, Cambodia proposed to South Korea to restore Preah Petu temple, built
in the 12th and 13th centuries, which has five smaller temples within its
compound. The temple is surrounded by big trees and natural lakes.
The Republic
of Korea funded a newly built 32 km road to divert trucks from traveling across
the Angkor area in order to protect the heritage sites.
Dr. Sok An
also said that the biannual meeting between the Cambodian Apsara Authority and
the ICC secretariat will evaluate the overall performance of various ongoing
conservation projects as well as providing insightful expert recommendations to
the projects.
The ICC’s
agenda also includes any requests for restoration projects.
UNESCO
regards the ICC's work as a model because of its great success, said Dr. Sok
An.
