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Demobilization – 2000

“The last experimental demobilization was held in Battambang Province. It involved 421 troops and began on the 11th of July, 2000” (BBC, 2000).¹ The World Bank was also involved in the demobilization process. It provided $15 million dollars for military demobilization in Cambodia in 2001. The World Food Program (WFP) had also promised to provide rice for demobilized soldiers. “In a pilot project, the government had cut off 1,500 soldiers from government’s pay rolls while WFP had assisted 150 kilograms of rice to each demobilized soldier” (Xinhua, 2000).² Even if the experimental demobilization ended, there were efforts to demobilize soldiers from the Royal Cambodian Army and downsize the armed force.

NOTE: The World Bank awarded Cambodia a loan of 18.4 million in 2001 to be put toward achieving the objective of military reform in Cambodia. The program would involve the demobilization of some 30,000 soldiers. “This DDR process only affects people who have already been integrated into the armed forces, and is aimed at leaving troop numbers at between 70,000 and 80,000. Reform of the armed forces has been delayed by mistakes committed during the DDR process and by a lack of sufficient funding. The reforms that remain to be implemented will have to deal with the demobilization of a number of inactive troops and a larger number of officers. The World Bank calculated in 1991 that DDR would lead to a saving of 10.3 million dollars a year in military spending. However, in October 2006, Government approved the compulsory military service, against the Armed Forces reduction plans, justified by the high unemployment level of young people in the country” (ECP).³ By 2006, Cambodia still had 110,000 soldiers, which someone said would be downsized to 70,000 in month or year.⁴

1. “”Last experimental demobilization” to be held in northwest Cambodia 15th July,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific — Political, July 7, 2000.
2. “World Bank Pledges to Assist Demobilization in Cambodia, Emerging Markets Datafile,” Xinhua, December 20, 2000.
3. “Cambodia,” ECP Escola de Cultura de Pau, accessed May 10, 2010, http://escolapau.uab.cat/img/programas/desarme/mapa/camboyai.pdf.
4. “Cambodia to downsize troops by 40,000,” Xinhua, October 16, 2010, accessed May 10, 2010, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-10/16/content_5210561.htm.