Weapons Destruction Ceremony in Otdar Mean Chey Province
−FLAME OF PEACE−

The Royal Government of Cambodia and Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia (JSAC) have agreed to organize the Weapons Destruction Ceremony in Samraong District, Otdar Mean Chey Province on December 14, 2004.　

This is the fourth time for JSAC to co-organize the Weapons Destruction Ceremony with the Royal Government of Cambodia since the establishment of JSAC.

In this ceremony, about 2,500 weapons, which have been voluntarily surrendered by civilians, will be publicly destroyed.  It is expected to give people a positive and symbolic image that Cambodia is moving toward peace without weapons.  The participants of the destruction ceremony are residents of the province (about 1,000 people), the provincial government officials, the national police officials, and national and international guests.  All are welcome to attend.

◆Date: December 14, 2004 (Tuesday)  Starting at 9:00 a.m.
◆Location: Samraong District, Otdar Mean Chey Province.(at the Provincial Police Compound)   
◆Directed by the Royal Government of Cambodia, Sponsored by JSAC

Note for Editors:
Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia (JSAC)

Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia is a project team organized by Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) by the fund of Japanese grant aid to implement “Peace Building and Comprehensive Small Arms Management Program in Cambodia.”　

JSAC has become a leading actor in the field of combating the threat of uncontrolled and excess of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Cambodia since 2003.  By the end of November 2004, about 10,000 weapons were collected from three northwest provinces through JSAC’s initiatives.