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Cambodia Diary
November 2, 2001
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This week, the rain fell down at night time for 1 to 2 hours, which is obstruction of deployment the bush cutter to all mine fields in Anlong Veng, because the road access to minefields are muddy and the soil is too soft and it might be got stuck to the tractor. So, all these reason has reduced to the clearance statistic. Even so, the clearance statistic in Toul Prasat
IV is 20 to 25 sqm per/lane/day.
A deminer named Eam Gnem Ins: 836, 47 years old have 7 children in his family. The oldest son is married last year and other three attended to school and other three are at home. In 1972 till 1998 Mr. Eam Gnem was a Khmer Rouge commander of Battalion No 5 in 417 division of KR unit.
His base was in Baray Kampong Tom Province east-northern of Phnom Penh Capital, but most of time he spent in the jungle of Dang Rek Mountain Cambodia- Thai border with Ta Mok KR leader. Eam Gnem said, in 1975 after KR conquered Phnom Penh from Republic Khmer which supported by USA in ( Lon Nol regime ). 20 Khmer Rouge soldiers including him were sent to China to learn how to produce improvised mine for one month.
In 1993 after Khmer Rouge rejected the National election in Cambodia which was supported by UNTAC,. Eam Gnem and his partners instructed by Ta Mok to Produce improvised mines in Srah Chhouk village Anlong Veng district (presently HALO current task ). All mines were sent to lay around Anlong veng and Trapaing Prasat district to against with Government force. Eam Gnem added, during fighting time he laid more than 100 mines and 20 Anti-Tank mines on the road to Phav commune in Trapaing Prasat district but, some of them had been removed from the road and where he laid. Meanwhile, in each day Eam Gnem instructed to make 100 mines, if not completed the quantity he will be in trouble ( punishment or kill).
Integration in 1998, Eam Gnem resigned from KR unit and he got 3000 bath ( $US120.00) from General Tea Ban presently, Defend Minister of Cambodia and then, he became a farmer in Svay Chek village, Thlat commune Anlong Veng District.
In June 2000 he had opportunity to joint with HALO Trust as a deminer in Anlong Veng. So far he found 23 mines and 5 uxos included one in this week is MBV 78a1. Eam Gnem has a big smiling said to me that,
Since he has been working as deminer in HALO demining program, he had 4 oxen, a house, a bicycle and some extra money for his family, he would like to say Thank you very much to HALO Trust which give him a good job.
Best regards
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