Removal of Weapons and Ammunition Caches in Battambang Province

Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia (JSAC), local authorities and Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) have conducted 2 joint operations in Battambang Province for the removal and destruction of weapons, ammunition and explosives caches.

In Baraing Thleak Commune, Phnom Preuk District, a 3-day operation during June 2, 5-6, 2006 has resulted in the removal and safe destruction of 2,471 ammunition and 2 explosives by CMAC. This area was a former Khmer Rouge stronghold, and JSAC received information from participants of JSAC workshops in the Commune. Strong cooperation among JSAC, CMAC, Provincial Police, Commune Council, Military and Village Chief has enabled the success of this operation.

In the central area of Battambang Provincial Town (Svay Por Commune, Battambang District), a large underground weapons cache is currently being unearthed since June 5, 2006. A joint team of JSAC, CMAC and Provincial Police has collected 1,269 weapons as of June 7, mostly M16 and T36s, which were first discovered during construction work for building a market place.

ENDS

Note for Editors:
Japan Assitance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia (JSAC), was established by the Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) to assist the implementation of the “Peace Building and Comprehensive Small Arms Management Program in Cambodia”, which is the first Grant Aid Program for conflict prevention and peace building provided by the Japanese Government. JSAC has implemented its weapons collection through awareness raising workshops in the northwest areas of Cambodia (Otdar Mean Chey Province, Banteay Mean Chey Province, and Siem Reap Province). Since October 2005, JSAC has been organizing weapons collection and peace building activities in Battambang Province and Kompong Thom Province. The number of small arms collected through JSAC activities has currently reached 18,316 in total.

For more information on JSAC, please refer to our website: http://www.online.com.kh/users/adm.jsac/topENG.html