UN Coordinator Delivers Remarks to Cambodian Peacekeepers before leaving for Lebanon

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

This is the first time Cambodian peacekeepers have been deployed to Lebanon. The mission, which includes 218 personnel, represents an expansion of the Cambodian contribution to the United Nations’ global Peacekeeping efforts.

Venerable Monks,
Excellency General Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense, and High Representative of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN
Excellency Prak Sokhonn, Minister attached to the Prime Minister and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Sending Troops to participate in UN Missions
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to be here this morning to recognise and honour the Cambodian Field Engineering Contingent 513 as you embark on this significant mission to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. I say significant because it is the first time Cambodian peacekeepers have been deployed to Lebanon. As such, your mission represents an expansion of the Cambodian contribution to the United Nations’ global Peacekeeping efforts.

Twenty one officers have already departed an an advance party to Lebanon on 8 November. It is now time for you, the remaining 197 troops to join them there. Tasked with the responsibility of demining, as well as in building Vertical and Horizontal Constructions, the challenges in Lebanon for you as individuals may be great, but together as a team you represent an important step forward in Cambodia’s transition from a recipient country of peacekeepers to one that deploys highly skilled experts to assist in other countries where the need is great.

The mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is to monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon; and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons. The role that you will play there makes a significant contribution to ensuring the Mission achieves its mandate.

In June this year, we bid farewell to the Second Mine Clearance Team 405 as they departed to Sudan. Since 2006, a total of 557 Cambodian peacekeeping troops have served with distinction in Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic.

You, the Cambodian Field Engineering Contingent 513, will now continue that legacy. We are certain you will be equally successful and will make a lasting contribution.

We applaud the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Peacekeeping Teams for their dedication to providing assistance abroad, to sharing their skills and experience with countries that are suffering due to conflict. Your work, and the work of other Cambodian peacekeepers, will help make development possible and give opportunities and hope to the people and to the communities in which they serve.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen and peacekeepers,

The importance of your role as United Nations peacekeepers cannot be underestimated and the world is grateful for your support. Peacekeepers travel to war-torn regions of the world where no one else is willing or able to go. They prevent conflict from returning or escalating. And they spread a message of global solidarity.

I am proud to stand here today to bid farewell to you on your mission. Demining is not just an issue that affects countries in the grips of conflict, as we all know. Millions of landmines still lie buried in Cambodia’s soil, a legacy of a tragic past. But as Cambodia moves from its post-conflict status, our own experience is a reminder that explosive remnants of war cause harm and heartbreak for decades after conflict has subsided.

You have developed your demining skills in these surroundings. Many of you have family members or friends who have been affected by land mines. Based on this personal experience, I am sure you all believe that fellow human beings should not suffer from land mine accidents.

Now, I am pleased to recognise that skills built out of the necessity to clear mines from farmland, schools, hospitals and roads right here in Cambodia have became an asset highly valued by other countries.

At the moment the United Nations has more than 110,000 men and women deployed in conflict zones around the world. They come from nearly 120 countries - the highest number in history, a reflection of the important work they do and of the global confidence in United Nations Peacekeeping.

They come from nations large and small, rich and poor. Some of them, like Cambodia, are from countries recently afflicted by war themselves. They bring different cultures and experience to the job but they are united in their determination to foster peace.

I welcome you to the United Nations family and express my best wishes to you all as you enter the service of humanity. The UN and the nations of the world are grateful to the Government and the people of Cambodia for making this peacekeeping contribution.

On behalf of the United Nations, I wish you every success in the work that lies ahead of you.

Thank you.