Through its involvement in Cambodia since the U.N. peacekeeping process began in 1991, Japan has played a positive role in attempting to bring peace and development to Cambodia. Japan's generous aid program has brought some significant benefits to Cambodians over the past 10 years. These include a glistening new $56 million bridge in eastern Cambodia, a new port in the country's main southern city, a maternal and child hospital in Phnom Penh, and the original "Japanese Bridge" (as it is referred to by Cambodians), which links Phnom Penh to much of the east of Cambodia.
In many ways Japan has a proud record in Cambodia. But some of Japan's recent assistance should cause concern in Tokyo. One example is Japan's $10 million contribution to military demobilization in Cambodia. Demobilizing and disarming much of the Cambodian Army has been a goal of the Cambodian government and donor countries for more than 10 years. The Cambodian Army is the largest violator of human rights in the country and is widely feared by villagers, judges and even the police and members of Parliament. It is also a huge drain on the national budget.
This is why international donors have agreed to spend $42 million to reduce the army from its official number of 130,000 to 100,000.
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