ANGKOR and I

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35 The Sophia University Appeal for the Safeguarding of the Angkor Complex Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property), and it was evaluated highly as a regional cultural cooperation project in Southeast Asia. Approximately 630 specialists and researchers from 14 nations participated in these six symposiums over a period of eight years, and the outcome of this research, which consisted of seven volumes of “Cultural Heritage in Asia” covering a total of 660 pages, was published in English. (This was done with the support of the Kashima Foundation, as will be mentioned later). The International Symposium on the Preservation of the Angkor Complex that was held on April 20, 1985 at Sophia University in Tokyo, dealt with the following issues. 1. We are aware that the Angkor Complex that comprises Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and many other monuments, is the highest expression of the splendor of the Khmer civilization that once flourished in present-day Cambodia. 2. We are convinced the Angkor complex represents the most valuable objects of cultural heritage, something that we can be proud of as a common asset of mankind. 3. We are seriously concerned that the Angkor complex is deteriorating owing to the ravages of tropical nature, and due to difficulties in safeguarding it effectively. 4. We are of the opinion that the Angkor complex should be preserved by the Cambodian people via all possible means, and if necessary through international cooperation. 5. We appeal to individuals and organizations concerned with the cultural heritage of mankind to work together and discover suitable means to prevent the deterioration