Deputy Prime Minister HOR Namhong meets with International Red Cross

On December 7, 2004, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister HOR Namhong, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation met with Mr. Jacques Forster, Deputy Director of International Red Cross based in Geneva.

 
During the meeting, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister expressed his sincere appreciation to the International Red Cross for its continuous contribution on humanitarian assistance and also sought for further support on the fields. In addition, he requested the International Red Cross to assist Cambodia in upgrading the living standard of prisoners by providing water and food.
 
Besides, he told Mr. Jacques Forster that landmine is not only a humanitarian problem for Cambodia but also economic and social problems. With regard to the Khmer Rouge Trial, he told Mr. Jacques Forster that the Cambodian Government had already fulfilled its obligation on legal procedure. The only remaining problem is the budget for the whole process of trial. He also added that the Cambodian Government would provide building, electricity and security for the trial.
 
For the Montagnard issue, he told Mr. Jacques Forster that the International Community put pressure on the Cambodian Government to accept the Montagnard refugees. Yet the International Community had been very slow to find third countries for them to be resettled.
 
In response, Mr. Jacques Forster informed His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister that the International Red Cross has cooperated with the Cambodian Red Cross on the exchange of information about the persons lost during the Khmer Rouge regime and international humanitarian law. He also highlighted the activities of the International Red Cross in Cambodia such as to rehabilitate landmine victims as well as to manage rehabilitation centre in Batambang.
 
Mr. Jacques Forster informed His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister that next year the International Red Cross would take over the rehabilitation centre located in Kompong Speu, which is now funded by the United States of America.