Top: Dr. Rutherford joins in at the opening ceremony of the 11 MSP in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Bottom: Dr. Rutherford celebrates with Cambodian mine-action program officials, including 2011 SMC graduate Muon Veasna (2nd from left) and ERWTC graduates (right to left) Rath Pottana, Prak Sokhon and Sam Oum. On the far left is Mol Roeup Seyha.

CISR Director Attends 11th Meeting of States Parties in Cambodia

CISR Director Dr. Ken Rutherford is in Cambodia for the 11th Meeting of the States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

Sunday afternoon, some 20 survivors from 11 countries visited with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace for a one-hour meeting about landmines and cluster munitions. Dr. Rutherford sat with the other survivors to the side of the prime minister but did not give remarks, as that was done primarily by Cambodian survivors. Those who spoke shared their appreciation and concern with the Prime Minister. Sunday night was the Prime Minister’s opening speech at the Meeting followed by dances to celebrate the start of the international event.

The Cambodian Mine Action Centre hosted a reception at the Phnom Penh Railway Station on Monday night, including an exhibit on the 20-year history of mine action in Cambodia.

Dr. Rutherford enjoyed visiting with Cambodian mine-action program officials, several of whom have attended the ERW/Mine Action Senior Managers’ Course held on the JMU campus since 2004 or the ERW International Senior Managers’ Training Course conducted in Jordan beginning in 2009.