Wednesday, February 20, 2008Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
In the evening of 18 February, the US embassy in Cambodia was threatened by a terrorist attack, forcing the Cambodian authority to take immediate measure by sending several hundreds police force to protect the safety of the embassy, as well as investigating for the suspect of the threat.
On 19 February, Khieu Sopheak, Ministry of Interior (MoI) spokesman, claimed that there was indeed an attack threat on the US embassy. He said that the threat was done by an email sent to a newspaper which relayed the message to the embassy, and in turn, the embassy alerted the authority. Khieu Sopheak added: “Our tactical force sent in protection force, and we simultaneously investigated to find the identity of the suspect. As a result, we now know the identity of the suspect.”
Nevertheless, Khieu Sopheak refused to provide additional information on the suspect who threatened to attack the embassy, as of yet.
During his trip to Koh Kong to visit the New Life Center, on 19 February, US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli told reporters that there was indeed an email threat. Nevertheless, he said that this threat is a minor issue and that he is not concerned about his safety or security. He said: “We shouldn’t consider it as being important. We are not concerned about it.” He added: “However, we welcome the cooperation provided by the MoI which sent its force to work with us.”
Mussomeli said that the US is confident that Cambodia has a good safety and security record when it comes to traveling. He said that, for example, he is traveling to Koh Kong without a single bodyguard escorting him.
In addition to his confidence on security and safety in Cambodia, Mussomeli said that all US embassies in the world usually receive such unreliable information, however, he is not concerned about his safety.
A police source indicated that soon after receiving the threat information, several hundreds of both plain clothe and uniform military police officers were sent to protect the US embassy located near Wat Phnom. The residence of the US ambassador was likewise protected. In the evening of 18 February, the French and UK embassies also received protection. However, the plain clothe cops were charged with the protection, whereas the uniform cops were patrolling in their motorcycles.
Another source indicated that the protection force were sent in after the US embassy received an email threatening to bomb the embassy, and it was also observed that somebody was flying remote controlled planes near the embassy between 5:40 PM and 6:00 PM on 18 February.
The cops who were sent to protect the embassy consisted mainly of military police force, with the addition of police force from the MoI, and local cops.
The same source indicated that a large number of cops came to protect the embassy in the evening of 18 February, but there was no incident, and the evening was quiet as usual.
In the morning of 19 February 2008, no police force was seen protecting the US embassy anymore, but there was still a lot of local force standing near the Wat Phnom park.
On 19 February, Khieu Sopheak, Ministry of Interior (MoI) spokesman, claimed that there was indeed an attack threat on the US embassy. He said that the threat was done by an email sent to a newspaper which relayed the message to the embassy, and in turn, the embassy alerted the authority. Khieu Sopheak added: “Our tactical force sent in protection force, and we simultaneously investigated to find the identity of the suspect. As a result, we now know the identity of the suspect.”
Nevertheless, Khieu Sopheak refused to provide additional information on the suspect who threatened to attack the embassy, as of yet.
During his trip to Koh Kong to visit the New Life Center, on 19 February, US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli told reporters that there was indeed an email threat. Nevertheless, he said that this threat is a minor issue and that he is not concerned about his safety or security. He said: “We shouldn’t consider it as being important. We are not concerned about it.” He added: “However, we welcome the cooperation provided by the MoI which sent its force to work with us.”
Mussomeli said that the US is confident that Cambodia has a good safety and security record when it comes to traveling. He said that, for example, he is traveling to Koh Kong without a single bodyguard escorting him.
In addition to his confidence on security and safety in Cambodia, Mussomeli said that all US embassies in the world usually receive such unreliable information, however, he is not concerned about his safety.
A police source indicated that soon after receiving the threat information, several hundreds of both plain clothe and uniform military police officers were sent to protect the US embassy located near Wat Phnom. The residence of the US ambassador was likewise protected. In the evening of 18 February, the French and UK embassies also received protection. However, the plain clothe cops were charged with the protection, whereas the uniform cops were patrolling in their motorcycles.
Another source indicated that the protection force were sent in after the US embassy received an email threatening to bomb the embassy, and it was also observed that somebody was flying remote controlled planes near the embassy between 5:40 PM and 6:00 PM on 18 February.
The cops who were sent to protect the embassy consisted mainly of military police force, with the addition of police force from the MoI, and local cops.
The same source indicated that a large number of cops came to protect the embassy in the evening of 18 February, but there was no incident, and the evening was quiet as usual.
In the morning of 19 February 2008, no police force was seen protecting the US embassy anymore, but there was still a lot of local force standing near the Wat Phnom park.
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