DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GICNT WORKSHOP AND EPG INVITATIONS

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000191 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, ISN/WMDT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MCAP PARM PINR PINS PREL PTER KGIC MNUC KS CB SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GICNT WORKSHOP AND EPG INVITATIONS REF: A) STATE 18574, B) STATE 21325, C) STATE 22354 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. (SBU) Per reftels, Post delivered an invitation March 23 to the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) to participate in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) Workshop and Exercise Planning Group (EPG) Meeting April 14-16 in Seoul. Poloff jointly delivered the demarche with a representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (ROKG) to Brigadier General (BG) Por Phak, Director of the International Relations Department in the Ministry of Interior (MOI). BG Por Phak indicated that the RGC is interested in participating in both the workshop and the EPG meeting, but said that he would have to seek the approval of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng. ¶2. (SBU) Por Phak explained that since the 2007 promulgation of the Cambodian Law on Counterterrorism, the RGC had tried to increase cooperation on trans-border smuggling issues with partners such as the U.S. and Thailand, and he said that the RGC welcomed opportunities to increase engagement with the international community on counterterrorism efforts. He said he thought that Cambodia's unique experience in domestic disarmament and anti-arms trafficking efforts would be valuable to share in international venues such as the GICNT. Poloff encouraged the RGC's willingness to participate in the GICNT and share its experiences. Post will notify ISN/WMDT if the RGC confirms attendance at the upcoming workshop and EPG meeting. RODLEY