Cambodia Moves to Strengthen Maritime Security

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PHNOM PENH 000377

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS, P, D, INL, OES, S/CT, ISN
STATE PASS TO MARITIME SECURITY COLLECTIVE
BANGKOK FOR EXBS WILLIAM COMLEY
SINGAPORE FOR USCG SCOTT STOERMER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS MOPS EWWT CB
SUBJECT: Cambodia Moves to Strengthen Maritime Security

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED


1. (SBU) Summary: On May 26-27, the RGC held a workshop as a first
step toward the creation of a much-needed maritime security central
coordinating authority. Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that a new
National Committee on Maritime Security (NCMS) is expected to be
formed within months. Hosted by the National Counter-Terrorism
Committee and Ministry of National Defense and supported the U.S.
and Australian embassies, the Maritime Security Workshop begins a
multiyear, multiagency and development partner effort to enhance
Cambodia's maritime security domain. Successful interagency
coordination of this initiative could generate the political will in
a state asserting its littoral security needs and serve as a model
for the government to address the other significant challenges posed
by its porous borders. End Summary.

Weak Maritime Security
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2. (SBU) Cambodia's porous maritime borders are vulnerable to
exploitation by transnational criminal activities, including
drug/arms smuggling, trafficking in persons, the illicit movement of
natural resources, wildlife, and cultural objects. Additionally,
terrorist elements are able to capitalize on porous Cambodian
maritime borders to exploit the area and region for their various
goals. Weak maritime security and the inability to exert authority
over maritime borders and exclusive economic zones create avenues
through which these transnational elements can operate. Limited
resources, weak capacity, and ineffective Royal Government of
Cambodia (RGC) coordination mechanisms among various agencies with
often over-lapping, and thus confused, responsibilities
significantly undermine the RGC's ability to secure its maritime
domain. Strengthening Cambodian maritime security regimes is a
priority for the Mission and the creation of a sound legal framework
and central maritime security coordinating authority are essential
to securing Cambodia's sea borders.

PM Establishes Roadmap to Strengthen Maritime Security
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3. (SBU) In his keynote address to workshop participants, comprised
of officials from the various government agencies with related
responsibilities, Prime Minister Hun Sen acknowledged the
significant challenges posed to Cambodia's maritime security. He
stressed the importance of building the capacity of the RGC to
enhance its maritime domain, and established clear guidelines and a
timeline for the way forward in the creation of a central
coordinating authority.


4. (SBU) This new authority, the National Committee on Maritime
Security (NCMS),will be responsible for establishing an interagency
mechanism for developing a sound legal framework and policies for
maritime issues. He set a deadline of 90 days for a Royal Decree to
form the NCMS, to be headed by the Ministry of National Defense,
with a Sub-Decree to follow which will create the implementing
Secretariat and define roles and responsibilities of various
agencies. The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to harmonize
domestic law with international law.

Maritime Security: A 3-Pronged Approach
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5. (SBU) Improving the capacity of civilian, military, and law
enforcement authorities to strengthen maritime security is a top
priority for the Mission. The creation of the NCMS is a vital first
step in Post's multi-agency maritime security initiative, which
seeks to build capacity within the RGC to improve security for
Cambodia's maritime domain. This new central coordinating authority
will facilitate USG efforts to direct assistance to RGC entities
responsible for maritime security. However, given resource
limitations within the RGC, donor support will be essential to
develop the capacity of the NCMS.


6. (SBU) The RGC has requested USG assistance in developing their
legal framework. Post is pursuing U.S. Coast Guard and Pacific
Fleet technical assistance funded under the Title X Asia Pacific
Regional Initiative to provide this support. We are also
coordinating with the Government of Australia which is also planning
to provide technical assistance to bridge gaps in USG assistance.


7. (SBU) The development of a legal framework is only the first step
in our three part maritime security initiative. Step two seeks to
address operational effectiveness of the various civilian, military,
and law enforcement authorities charged with strengthening maritime

PHNOM PENH 00000377 002 OF 002


security. For example, support under Foreign Military Finance,
Title X, Combating Terrorism Fellowships, and the Export Control and
Related Border Security (EXBS) Program are being synchronized to
deliver Maritime Law Enforcement and Maritime Operations Planning
and Port Security training to the various RGC stakeholders. Once
the RGC and NCMS have demonstrated increased capacity to utilize
existing resources, step three will target assistance to address
interdiction and C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers,
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capability gaps.

Comment
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8. (SBU) The maritime security initiative is an important part of
the Mission's effort to address the larger issue of porous borders,
which also includes inland waterways and land border security. The
coastal maritime region is the smallest and relatively easiest
border security issue to address. By focusing USG efforts on the
more manageable issue of maritime borders, one which the RGC has
demonstrated significant will to improve, we hope to maximize
resources and create momentum and the will to address these other
challenges. The interagency coordination mechanisms being formed
through the NCMS will hopefully serve as a model for RGC interagency
coordination and lay the groundwork for expansion into larger
security issues, and generate the political will to address the
other more challenging porous border issues in the future.


RODLEY