PRESS RELEASE

Peace Monument Made of Decommissioned Weapons in Kampong Thom Province

Phnom Penh, September 21, 2007

Japan Assistance Team from Small Arms Management in Cambodia (JSAC) will handover a Peace Monument made of de-commissioned weapons to the Provincial Government of Kampong Thom on September 27, 2007.

The Monument, named “World of Peace”, was created by Cambodian artists Sophon Samkhan, Choup Sopheak, Khem Sambo, Tan Vanno, Yen Entareak and Vong Daravy, with the artistic support of Sasha Constable and the technical support of Development Technology Workshop (DTW). The sculpture is 3.5m in height, and will be permanently installed in a public park “Children’s Park” in Kampong Thom Provincial Town.

The Peace Monument was created under a Japanese Government Assistance Program “Peace Building and Comprehensive Small Arms Management Program in Cambodia”, which is implemented by the Government of Cambodia and JSAC. The weapons used to create this monument were surrendered by the residents of Kampong Thom Province, following the joint encouragement of government offices, police, Cambodian NGOs and JSAC. The weapons were later destroyed in public ceremonies “Flame of Peace” in the Province.

The handover of the Monument will be preceded by a “Peace Declaration” to mark the completion of JSAC support for weapon collection activities. The Declaration would be announced by the District Governors, which will affirm their responsibilities in maintaining peaceful, safe, and weapon-free communities. The Monument will be a symbol of such commitment and hopes of the Cambodian people, as well as the extraordinary creativity and talents of the Cambodian artists.

JSAC is a team for implementing “Peace Building and Comprehensive Small Arms Management Program in Cambodia”, established by Japan International Cooperation System (JICS). This Program is the first Japanese Government Grant Aid Program for conflict prevention and peace building. JSAC has implemented its weapons collection and other peace building activities in the northwest areas of Cambodia, and have collected 28,602 weapons as of the end of August.

ENDS

The Ceremony will be held at 10:00AM on September 27, 2007, at the Kampong Thom Provincial Hall. All are welcome to attend.

For further information on JSAC or the Peace Monument, please contact:
Yukiko Murasaki, JSAC Project Officer
Tel: +855 [0]23-224-002,  Fax: +855 [0]23-220-330,
E-mail: adm.jsac@online.com.kh  Website: http://www.online.com.kh/~adm.jsac/topEN.html

For further information on DTW, please contact:
Richard Pullen, DTW General Manager
Tel: +855 [0]23-884-470,  Fax: +855 [0]23-884-481,
E-mail: gm@dtw.org.kh, Website:http://www.dtw.org.kh

For further information on Ms. Sasha Constable and the Cambodian artists, please contact:
Sasha Constable
Tel: +855-(0)12-699-249, E-mail: seconstable@hotmail.com 

Location of “Children’s Park” and Monument in Kampong Thom Town: