PRESS RELEASE

JSAC Supports the National Commission for the Reform of Weapons, Explosives and Ammunition Management to Conduct Seminars on the Arms Law

Phnom Penh, February 26, 2007

Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia (JSAC) is supporting the National Commission for the Reform of Weapons, Explosives and Ammunition Management to organize seminars for promoting awareness on the Law on the Management of Weapons, Explosives and Ammunition (the “Arms Law”).

The seminars will be conducted nationwide by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of National Defence respectively. Regional authorities, police and military officials will be attending the seminars to improve their understanding on the Arms Law adopted in 2005. The seminars will start in February/March, and will continue until June in all Municipalities, Provinces, Military Regions and Headquarters.

JSAC is a project team established by Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) for the implementation of “Peace Building and Comprehensive Small Arms Management Program in Cambodia”. This Program, funded by the Government of Japan, has been implementing its weapons collection and other peace building activities in the northwest areas of Cambodia. The number of small arms collected through JSAC activities since 2003 is now 26,092.

JSAC is also supporting the removal of a weapons cache in Samlout District, Battambang Province. After organizing extensive awareness raising activities in the area, JSAC has received information from the residents on this underground weapons warehouse. With the support of Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), 258 weapons have been safely removed so far and stored for future disposal by the authorities. This operation is still being continued.

ENDS