Counter-terrorism building inaugurated by ... Cambodia's "top power terrorist"?

1-golden-star general Hun Manet (L) standing next to his 5-golden-star father, general Hun Xen, during the inauguration of the new counter-terrorism building (Photo: Ly Meng Huor, RFI)

Hun Sen Opens Counterterror Building

Cambodia has emerged as a willing partner in the US’s fight against terrorism, having arrested four suspects of the Jemaah Islamiyah network in 2003.

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 21 April 2010

“Terrorism is the most ferocious [act] we have to fight. It occurs everywhere, without racial or religious discrimination.”

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday said he was committed to fighting terrorism, with the participation of Cambodian citizens.

“What I insist on is preventing terrorism,” Hun Sen said at the inauguration of a building that will house the government’s counterterrorism agency.

Hun Sen’s son, Hun Maneth, is the head of the Ministry of Defense’s counterterrorism unit.

“Terrorism is the most ferocious [act] we have to fight,” Hun Sen said. “It occurs everywhere, without racial or religious discrimination.”

Cambodia has emerged as a willing partner in the US’s fight against terrorism, having arrested four suspects of the Jemaah Islamiyah network in 2003. Three suspects remain in jail in Cambodia. Cambodia was also used as a haven for the head of Jemaah Islamiyah, Hambali, who was arrested in Thailand in 2003.

“We consider the Cambodian government to be a strong partner in terms of counterterrorism cooperation,” US Embassy spokesman John Johnson said Wednesday.

“We’ve said in the past that Cambodia’s porous borders are a concern, not just in terms of terrorism but also in terms of transnational crimes and narcotics trafficking,” he said. “And we’re therefore engaged with the government at all levels to help improve maritime and land border security, in order to ensure that Cambodia remains a strong and stable partner in the region.”

U.S. provide anti-terrorism training for Cambodians forces

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United States' Marine Corps personnel here on Tuesday started to provide anti-terrorism training for Cambodia's National Counter Terrorism Task Force (NCTTF).

"The training will enhance NCTTF's ability to conduct sustained counter terrorism training as well as participate in future U.S. and partner nation's military exchange programs," said a press release from the U.S. Embassy.

U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, stationed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex which arrived in port city Sihanoukville on Monday morning, will train NCTTF members on field medical operation, marksmanship, leadership development and hand-to-hand combat, it added.

"We will exchange ideas of fighting terrorism and develop counter terrorism capabilities for both countries," said captain Zachary Martin, who taught his first lesson for the Cambodian soldiers on Tuesday afternoon in NCTTF's camp near the Phnom Penh International Airport.

During its six-day stay in the kingdom, the USS Essex is due to carry out medical, military and civic engineering missions in Kampong Cham, Preah Vihear, Kampong Chhnang, Phnom Penh as well as Sihanoukville.

The 844-foot long, 44,000-ton vessel, originally based in Sasebo, Japan, is capable of transporting, deploying, commanding and supporting all elements of marine landing force of over 2,000 troops during an assault by air and amphibious craft.

Essex has been the second U.S. military ship that visited Cambodia this year. In February, the USS Gary guided missile frigate visited the kingdom and carried out civic mission in several provinces.