A Buddhist monk blesses Cambodian soldiers wearing United Nations' blue berets, kneel for repsect during a ceremony in the Cambodian Military Air Force near Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday April 15, 2006. The last group of 109 Cambodian soldiers will leave for Sudan to take part in a mine-clearing operation. A total of 135 Cambodian soldiers will be deployed in Sudan in the first-ever overseas mission under the U.N. flag. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)Saturday April 15, 2006
Cambodia considers sending humanitarian troops to Iraq
PHNOM PENH (AP) - Cambodia is considering dispatching medical and demining troops to help U.S. forces in Iraq, but will first gauge the success of a Cambodian force leaving Saturday to work with a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Sudan, an official said.
U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Joseph Mussomeli met Monday with Prime Minister Hun Sen to request that Cambodia send non-combat armed forces personnel to assist with humanitarian work in Iraq, senior adviser to the premier Om Yentieng said.
Hun Sen has previously rejected U.S. requests for the deployment of Cambodian troops in Iraq, but suggested a change of heart during his meeting with Mussomeli.
"The prime minister did not say yes or no. He told the U.S. ambassador that he needs time to see how the situation plays out in Iraq, and to see how the Cambodian deminers who are being sent to Sudan fare on their mission,'' Om Yentieng told The Associated Press.
A team of 109 Cambodian soldiers is expected to leave for Sudan Saturday to join another 26 troops already there - marking the first time the Southeast Asian nation will join an international U.N. peacekeeping mission.
"Cambodia could send medical staff, doctors, deminers, or possibly military police personnel to help establish law and order in Iraq,'' Om Yentieng said.
He said Mussomeli was "happy to hear that the prime minister wanted time to consider their request.''
A U.S. Embassy spokesman confirmed Mussomeli's meeting with Hun Sen, but declined to give details of the talks.
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U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Joseph Mussomeli met Monday with Prime Minister Hun Sen to request that Cambodia send non-combat armed forces personnel to assist with humanitarian work in Iraq, senior adviser to the premier Om Yentieng said.
Hun Sen has previously rejected U.S. requests for the deployment of Cambodian troops in Iraq, but suggested a change of heart during his meeting with Mussomeli.
"The prime minister did not say yes or no. He told the U.S. ambassador that he needs time to see how the situation plays out in Iraq, and to see how the Cambodian deminers who are being sent to Sudan fare on their mission,'' Om Yentieng told The Associated Press.
A team of 109 Cambodian soldiers is expected to leave for Sudan Saturday to join another 26 troops already there - marking the first time the Southeast Asian nation will join an international U.N. peacekeeping mission.
"Cambodia could send medical staff, doctors, deminers, or possibly military police personnel to help establish law and order in Iraq,'' Om Yentieng said.
He said Mussomeli was "happy to hear that the prime minister wanted time to consider their request.''
A U.S. Embassy spokesman confirmed Mussomeli's meeting with Hun Sen, but declined to give details of the talks.
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1 comment:
I would like to see Cambodian military personnel in Iraq;cause I am tire of seeing myself being alone here in Iraq. Wish them luck in Sudan and soon in Iraq.
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