Cambodia destroys over 4,000 weapons in Kampong Speu

The 44th Flame of Peace ceremony was held here Thursday at which over 4,153 surplus military weapons were destroyed.

In his speech at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister, Co- Minister of Interior Sar Kheng said that it is the 9th time Cambodia to destroy weapons in 2005 and the 44th since 1999.

After the destruction in Kampong Speu, the total number of weapons destroyed in Cambodia since May 1999 will be at 178,803, according to Sar Kheng.

"Although we have achieved success in destroying surplus weapons and the progress is affirmed by the international community, we know that the weapons still pose threat to our people and hinge our nation's development," he said.

He urged the authorities to strengthen the control of the weapons and continue the confiscation of illegal weapons in the whole country. Moreover, he said the government will continue to crack down the weapon trafficking and transportation in cooperation with international community.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has regularly been destroying surplus weapons that have either been confiscated as illegal weapons from the civilian population or declared surplus weapons by the Ministry of National Defense.

EU-Assistance on curbing Small Arms and Light Weapons in Cambodia (EU ASAC), the program of the European Union to assist Cambodia in small arms management, have given financial and technical assistance for the destruction of over 127,000 of these weapons.

David de Beer, the EU ASAC Project Manager, commented that this Flame of Peace destruction ceremony follows the ASEAN Regional Forum Seminar on SALW held in Phnom Penh from 2 to 4 November 2005. At this Seminar Cambodia presented its achievements in the field of legal reform and weapons management as well as its policy of destroying surplus weapons.

"It is clear Cambodia takes a leading role in ASEAN regarding weapons management reform," de Beer said.

Source: Xinhua