PM calls for intl help on maritime security

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/

Written by Sam Rith
Wednesday, 27 May 2009

Urges nations to fight piracy, drugs and human trafficking.

PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday called on nations all over the world to cooperate with Cambodia in strengthening maritime security and to recognise that piracy, drug smuggling and other issues plague the oceans everywhere.

"This is not the time for countries to increase their military's strength to fight over islands or areas of ocean," Hun
Sen said at a seminar on maritime security on Tuesday. "It is the time for countries to collaborate with each other to fight against piracy, drug smuggling, human trafficking and terrorism."

Hun Sen also requested that the ambassadors of the United States, Australia and other countries help Cambodia by providing new patrol ships to strengthen its ability to crack down on maritime crimes. He said if Cambodia did not strengthen its maritime security, Australia could suffer from human trafficking and drug smuggling that originates in Cambodia.

"We have not forgotten that even though our maritime area is small, it could become a place where [drug smugglers, human traffickers or terrorists] are sheltered," he said. "So we have to strengthen our forces' ability not to allow these activities."