Disarmament: Framework for a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia Conflict
Implementations
Disarmament – 1991
No developments observed this year.
Disarmament – 1992
The United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) was to have completed the regrouping and cantonment stage within four weeks following the start of phase II of the disarmament process on June 13, 1992 – hence by July 11. The process was expected to disarm and demobilize 70% of the country’s estimated 200,000 soldiers. As of July 10, of the estimated 200,000 troops, the numbers of cantoned troops were as follows: CPAF, 9,003; ANKI, 3,187; KPNLAF, 1,322. However, reflecting PDK’s position of non-cooperation, no NADK troops were cantoned.2 UNTAC suspended the disarmament of armed groups in Cambodia as the Khmer Rouge had refused to disarm.3
- “Cambodia – UNTAC Background,” United Nations, accessed July 19, 2010, http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/untacbackgr2.html#two.[/…“As for the cantonment process, which had begun in June with the declaration of phase II, some 55,000 troops of the three participating factions, or approximately a quarter of the estimated total number of troops, entered the cantonment sites and handed over their weapons. This process, however, had to be suspended, due to the non-compliance by PDK and the deterioration of the military situation. Some 40,000 cantoned troops were subsequently released on agricultural leave, subject to recall by UNTAC” (United Nations).1Ibid.
- “UNTAC suspends disarmament in Cambodia, Report From Japan,” United Nations, October 22,1992.
Disarmament – 1993
The demobilization and disarmament process was suspended. With the Khmer Rouge’s refusal to respect the terms of “Phase Two,” the other factions stopped disarming and, in most cases, called their demobilized men back into service.4 A new Cambodian armed force comprised of the CPP, FUNCINPEC, and KPNLF armies was formed. The disarmament process terminated without implementation.
- “UN struggles on despite failure of peace accord Kevin Barrington reports on the difficulties the UN has faced in trying to bring the main factions together in Cambodia,” The Irish Times, April 10, 1993.
Disarmament – 1994
No developments observed this year.
Disarmament – 1995
No developments observed this year.
Disarmament – 1996
No developments observed this year.
Disarmament – 1997
With the formation of a new armed force, the disarmament process did not make any progress. There was a dramatic increase in armaments in the run-up to the July 1997 coup; Rannaridh was convicted on charges of smuggling guns into the country.
Disarmament – 1998
No developments observed this year.
Disarmament – 1999
At a donor conference in March 1999, the government of Cambodia stated that it had discovered 15,551 “ghost” soldiers and 159,587 dependents. However purging these individuals from the payroll has been a slow process. It was also reported that at the end of September 1999, the number of illegal weapons confiscated constituted 16,412 rifles, 11 land mines, and 345 hand grenades. In a conference, it was stated that people had voluntarily turned in 5,655 rifles, 190 hand grenades, and 332 land mines, and that the government had destroyed 20,112 rifles.5