Cambodian mine-clearing soldiers join UN mission in Sudan

Good luck to a group of 109 Cambodian soldiers who leave Phnom Penh on Saturday to join the UN demining mission in southern Sudan. Twenty-six of the 135 soldiers chosen were already in place in Sudan with 25 vehicles, 70 mine detectors and six trailers, as well as other different types of logistical equipment.

A seeing-off ceremony was held Wednesday presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen. "It is the first time in the history of Cambodia to take part in an international UN peacekeeping mission. This is our pride and the great honor for our military, nation and the people," the premier said.

He went on to say that "it is a humanitarianism mission, so it is our obligation to participate the mission and play more and more important role in the regional and international affairs."



Photo: Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen walks past a demining unit, during a ceremony before the departure of the Cambodian humanitarian demining unit for the UN peace keeping operation in Sudan, in Phnom Penh April 12, 2006. (Reuters) Full report Xinhua/ST 12 Apr 2006.