The Royal Government of Cambodia has hosted the First Multi-National Exercise “Angkor Sentinel 2010” with the participations from many countries in the region
and in the world. About 1,000 military personnel and 137 trainees and observers from 26 countries have participated in the United Nations (UN)-sponsored Multi-National Exercise “Angkor Sentinel 2010” in Cambodia.
The Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said that the event has shown Cambodia government’s ability and especially the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) capacity in preparing and organizing this multi-national military training in Cambodia.
The Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen stated that the Cambodian government has sent its troops to participate in the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces (UNPKO) in the Mine Clearance Mission in Sudan in the past five years.
He added that so far due to the RCAF’s hard work, strong commitments and ability, Cambodia’s Peace Keeping Forces have become one of the leading participated countries in the sector of mine clearance action in the world. This has brought Cambodia’s prestige and honour into the world through the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces (UNPKO) and under the umbrella of the United Nations Missions.
“On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia and myself, I would like to warmly welcome all participated countries in the Multi-National Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2010 in Cambodia. I am also very proud with Cambodia Ministry of National Defense for its hard work in preparing and organizing this import multinational military training in Cambodia
dia,” he said during opening remarks delivered to the opening ceremony of the Multi-National Peace Keeping Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2010 in Kampong Speu province on july 17.
He said that this event will help enlarge Cambodian government in building its capacity and integrate Cambodian military work into humanitarian works in order to provide security, stability and peace for people in the world. He added that to support the UN Missions, Cambodia will send more troops to attend the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces in the world in the future.
H.E. General Moeung Samphan, Secretary of State for the Ministry of National Defense, said that the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) has the greatest honour for hosting the Globe Peace Operation Initiative called “Angkor Sentinel 2010” supported by the United States Pacifi c Command (USPACOM) in Cambodia.
The objectives of the “Angkor Sentinel 2010” Exercise is aimed at the response to the global challenge that no single country can afford; to work together cooperatively as a team; and strengthen the bilateral military cooperation between Cambodia-United States and multi-lateral military cooperation between Cambodia and all the participated countries aiming to fulfill the need of the UN without caring any political tendency.
The Secretary of State added that it is also to enhance capacity of professional military and to bring about unity; to be ready for the common operations, and to help improving military capacities among the participating countries in making plans for the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces (UNPKO) in the world.
“I would also like to remind you all that Global Peace Operation Initiative (GPOI) has been conducted four times already with other countries from 2007
to 2009 as in Khaan Quest 2007 and 2009 in Mongolia, Shanti Doot 2008 in Bangladesh, and Garuda Shield 2009 in Indonesia. This is the fifth time and also the fi rst one for Cambodia to host “Angkor Sentinel” with the participation of 26 countries and about 1,000 personnel,” he said during his opening remarks of a Command Post Exercise (CPX) on July 12th.
He stated that the “Angkor Sentinel 2010” exercise is divided into two areas including the CPX located in Phnom Penh Hotel; the Field Training Exercise (FTX) located at the ACO Multinational Peace-keeping Operational Exercise in Kampong Speu province.
“As widely known, there is no single country in the world that has the full capacity to response or solve unpredicted crises such as armed conflicts, illegal weapons, drugs smuggling, human trafficking, and other natural disasters alone,” he said.
Carol A. Rodley, U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, said that by hosting Angkor Sentinel 2010, Cambodia has distinguished itself as one of the leading peacekeeping countries in Southeast Asia that has developed a top notch professional peace support operations force and a modern peace keeping training facility.
She added that the Command Post Exercise that opens today will help officers from Cambodia’s peacekeeping forces to further develop their command skills, which will eventually lead to their seamless integration into the U.N. command structure on the ground. The exercise will also allow this country’s peacekeepers to expand beyond their current duties of de-mining and protection, and evolve into a full service unit that can be called upon for duty anywhere in the world.
“The United States is proud to have played a role in the development of this exercise, and in the continued professionalization of this country’s armed forces. We expect that this exercise, coupled with Cambodia’s continued determination and willingness to participate in global peacekeeping operations, will eventually lead to the country becoming a regional leader in this area. By using the experiences gained from its difficult past, Cambodian soldiers are well equipped to support other
nations as they face difficult times and hardship,” she said. (SEAW)
BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA