Cambodian mine-clearing soldiers join UN mission in Sudan
April 12, 2006 (PHNOM PENH) — A group of 109 Cambodian soldiers will leave here on Saturday for Sudan to join the UN demining mission in Sudan.
A seeing-off ceremony was held Wednesday at the Council of Ministers presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“It is the first time in the history of Cambodia to take part in an international UN peacekeeping mission. This is our pride andthe great honor for our military, nation and the people,” the premier said.
He went on to say that “it is a humanitarianism mission, so it is our obligation to participate the mission and play more and more important role in the regional and international affairs.”
“Though Cambodia is also the victim of the mines and the mines have still post threat to our people so far, we are now in all-around peace and stability and in a steady economic growth, so we can offer help to other countries,” he added.
Twenty-six of the 135 soldiers, chosen from 1,080 military, were already in place in Sudan with 25 vehicles, 70 mine detectorsand six trailers, as well as other different types of logistical equipment.
All the soldiers have been received about 13 months of trainingsubjects which include common military skills, de-mining skills, psychological education, international laws, war rules and regulations, tradition and culture of Sudan, and English language as well.
In Sudan, the Cambodian troops will focus on mine-clearing mission. Cambodia is one of the largest mine-affected areas in theworld due to nearly three decades of civil war, with an estimated 4 million to 6 million of the hidden killers still buried in its soil.
(Xinhua/ST)