Anti-Terrorism Efforts Lauded by US [-The US lauds a regime that uses terror against its own people?]

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
01 May 2009

Cambodia had shown a commitment in fighting terrorism, but the country’s capacities need more improvement, according to an annual US State Department report.

The US cited the establishment of a national counterterrorism center in 2005, new laws to combat terror financing and the strict control of weapons, explosives and other materials in Cambodia as proof the government was serious in countering terrorism.

The new financing law establishes a financial intelligence unit under the National Bank, to monitor suspicious transactions and interface with the Ministry of Interior’s financial crimes unit. The law also provides for asset freezes of suspected terrorists.

“Cambodia’s political leadership demonstrated a strong commitment to aggressive legal action against terrorists and to increase its counterterrorism investigative capability, but its ability to investigate potential terrorist activities was limited by a lack of training and resources,” according to the report, obtained by VOA Khmer Thursday.

Cambodia remains a concern, however, with its porous borders, endemic corruption, poverty, high unemployment and poor education system.

Cambodia also has around 500,000 Cham Muslims, where “disaffected elements” could be exploited by terrorists, according to the report.

“Although the Cham were not generally politically active, the Cambodian government was aware of the possibility that foreign terrorists might use Cham areas as safe havens,” it said. “For example, Hambali, a senior Jemaah Islamiya and al-Qaida operative accused of involvement in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, took refuge in a Muslim school in Cambodia in 2002-2003.”

US, Cambodia Discuss Counterterrorism

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
22 August 2008

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Cambodian military and defense officials completed a weeklong regional counterterrorism workshop Friday, joining US military officials as well as regional authorities to strengthen cooperation in anticipation of future oil exploration.

"We are ready to cooperate with the international community, as in 2011, Cambodia expects to begin oil production with Chevron," Brig. Gen. Nguon Sam, deputy chief of the legal department of the Ministry of Defense, said. "We are responsible of the security of the transportation of oil from Cambodia to other countries."

Cambodia's naval capacity remains limited, he said. "So we have asked for international cooperation to fight terrorism."

Government representatives from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka joined in the talks, which were held at the Sunway Hotel near the US Embassy in Phnom Penh.

"What we tried to do is help them understand what the legal challenges are, how they can assist in collecting evidence and how they can assist in covering terrorism and fighting terrorists and bringing them to justice," said Lt. Col. Jon Shelburne, a US Marine Corps reservist who lectured at the seminar.

Cambodia has emerged as a willing partner in the US's regional war on terror, following reports in 2003 that the mastermind of the Bali bombings had stayed in Phnom Penh prior to his arrest in Thailand.

US State Dep’t Official in Cambodia for Talks

Scot Marciel, US Deputy Assistant Secretary, East Asia and Pacific Bureau

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
16 January 2008

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Scot Marciel was in Cambodia Wednesday, part of an official tour through the region, the State Department said.

Marciel, who is visiting Cambodia for the first time, opened three days of talks Wednesday with his Foreign Affairs Ministry counterpart, Ouch Borith, to discuss bilateral assistance, counterterrorism and economic issues, officials said.

“We are going to ask for cooperation on not only bilateral issues, but also human rights issues with the government, to ensure that there is no severe human rights abuse on the poor and the powerless,” said Thun Saray, head of the rights group Adhoc. “Freedom of expression in public has gone from bad to worse, especially in 2007.”

Seng Theary, executive director of the Center for Social Development, called the visit “significant” and reflected US interest in Cambodia.

“The US is the world’s superpower, so its voice is so influential,” she said.

FBI Trains Government Officials in Counterterrorism [-Shouldn't the US train Cambodians to fight gov't terrorism activities on its people instead?]

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
17 September 2007

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday began training Cambodian Interior Ministry officials in counterterrorism, building on its newly opened office in Phnom Penh.

The week-long training will help Cambodia prevent terrorism and deal with it if it does occur, said, Lt. Gen. Sok Phal, who is in charge of security and intelligence for the Ministry of Interior.

"In case it eventually happens, we will have protection in place, and it is for our national defense interest," he said.

US Embassy Spokesman Jeff Daigle said the FBI and police were working together on other issues, such as forensics, drug and human trafficking and money laundering.