Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PHNOMPENH699
2006-04-13 02:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Phnom Penh
Cable title:
What a Difference a Decade Makes: Cambodia Sends
how-toVZCZCXRO1725 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHPF #0699 1030221 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 130221Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6472 INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1402 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0001
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000699
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; GENEVA FOR RMA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CB
SUBJECT: What a Difference a Decade Makes: Cambodia Sends
Peacekeepers to Sudan
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000699
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; GENEVA FOR RMA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CB
SUBJECT: What a Difference a Decade Makes: Cambodia Sends
Peacekeepers to Sudan
1. On April 12, Prime Minister Hun Sen presided over a
ceremony for the 109 Cambodian peacekeeping troops being
sent to Sudan to participate in UN sponsored demining
operations. (Note: There are a total of 135 but 26 have
already departed for the Sudan. End Note.) This is the
first time Cambodia has contributed to UN peacekeeping
operations. He expressed pride that RCAF will join this
international force after having UN peacekeepers stationed
in Cambodia a decade ago.
2. Hun Sen announced that RCAF will only participate in
United Nations peacekeeping operations. He stated that
deployment in any other capacity was in contravention to
Article 53 of the Cambodian Constitution. The deployment of
RCAF would only be to support humanitarian efforts; he noted
Cambodia must receive an invitation from the UN before every
such deployment. Hun Sen stated that he looked forward to
Cambodia participating in future peacekeeping operations but
RCAF needed to learn from this experience.
3. The PM announced three measures for the families of the
troops. He stated that the government would pay a donation
of $1,900 per soldier to each soldier's family. The RCAF
would continue to provide each soldier's salary and food
ration to his family. Most importantly, he provided
assurances that the UN salary of each soldier would be his
to keep.
4. Hun Sen stated that Cambodia must increase its capacity
for peacekeeping operations. He asked the donor community
to provide training and equipment for medical personnel to
serve in peacekeeping operations.
5. The PM also imparted lessons from Cambodia's UNTAC
experience to the troops. The PM asked the troops not to
use their positions to bring goods duty free into Sudan for
sale on their local markets which would disrupt the local
economy, as happened in Cambodia during UNTAC. He also
asked the troops to respect the safety of the people and the
sovereignty of Sudan.
6. Comment. The deployment of 135 Cambodian troops to
Sudan shows that after years of receiving from the UN,
Cambodia is finally giving back. The PM's announcement that
the RGC is allowing each soldier to keep their UN salary is
a positive sign; many other countries take the UN-provided
salaries of their peacekeepers. The Defense Attache Office
will be providing a separate report after the deployment.
MUSSOMELI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; GENEVA FOR RMA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CB
SUBJECT: What a Difference a Decade Makes: Cambodia Sends
Peacekeepers to Sudan
1. On April 12, Prime Minister Hun Sen presided over a
ceremony for the 109 Cambodian peacekeeping troops being
sent to Sudan to participate in UN sponsored demining
operations. (Note: There are a total of 135 but 26 have
already departed for the Sudan. End Note.) This is the
first time Cambodia has contributed to UN peacekeeping
operations. He expressed pride that RCAF will join this
international force after having UN peacekeepers stationed
in Cambodia a decade ago.
2. Hun Sen announced that RCAF will only participate in
United Nations peacekeeping operations. He stated that
deployment in any other capacity was in contravention to
Article 53 of the Cambodian Constitution. The deployment of
RCAF would only be to support humanitarian efforts; he noted
Cambodia must receive an invitation from the UN before every
such deployment. Hun Sen stated that he looked forward to
Cambodia participating in future peacekeeping operations but
RCAF needed to learn from this experience.
3. The PM announced three measures for the families of the
troops. He stated that the government would pay a donation
of $1,900 per soldier to each soldier's family. The RCAF
would continue to provide each soldier's salary and food
ration to his family. Most importantly, he provided
assurances that the UN salary of each soldier would be his
to keep.
4. Hun Sen stated that Cambodia must increase its capacity
for peacekeeping operations. He asked the donor community
to provide training and equipment for medical personnel to
serve in peacekeeping operations.
5. The PM also imparted lessons from Cambodia's UNTAC
experience to the troops. The PM asked the troops not to
use their positions to bring goods duty free into Sudan for
sale on their local markets which would disrupt the local
economy, as happened in Cambodia during UNTAC. He also
asked the troops to respect the safety of the people and the
sovereignty of Sudan.
6. Comment. The deployment of 135 Cambodian troops to
Sudan shows that after years of receiving from the UN,
Cambodia is finally giving back. The PM's announcement that
the RGC is allowing each soldier to keep their UN salary is
a positive sign; many other countries take the UN-provided
salaries of their peacekeepers. The Defense Attache Office
will be providing a separate report after the deployment.
MUSSOMELI