PRESS RELEASE

Second Peace Monument Made of Decommissioned Weapons in Battambang Province

Phnom Penh, October 2, 2007

Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia (JSAC) will handover the 2nd Peace Monument made of de-commissioned weapons to the Provincial Government of Battambang, Cambodia, on October 9, 2007.

The Monument, named “Naga for Peace and Development”, was created by Cambodian artists Toun Thorneakea, Ou Vanndy, Ouk Chim Vichet and Kim Samdy, with the artistic support of Sasha Constable and the technical support of Development Technology Workshop (DTW). The sculpture is 6.5m in height, and will be permanently installed in a public park in Battambang Provincial City.

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 BattambangProvince, 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.

This Monument, together with the 1st Peace Monument in Kampong ThommProvince (“World of Peace”), will be a symbol of such efforts and commitment of the Cambodian people, and their strong hopes for a safe and peaceful society. It is also an outstanding example of the extraordinary creativity and talent 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 implemented its weapons collection and other peace building activities in the northwest areas of Cambodia, and have collected 28,602 weapons at present. The programme finished its weapons collection project in September 2007.

ENDS

The Ceremony will be held at 8:00AM on October 9, 2007, at the “Naga Spring Water Park (Suon Chbar Neak Banh Teuk)” in Battambang Provincial City. 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 “Naga Spring Water Park” and Monument in Battambang City: