More than 100 police weaved through the busy streets of Phnom Penh Tuesday, halting traffic as they displayed their prowess in preparation for the upcoming Asean Summit in November.
Police standing in the middle of the street pulled motorcycle drivers and Toyota Camrys aside to allow the police—often escorting luxury European automobiles—to pass through Norodom, Monivong, Mao Tse-tung and Russian boulevards. It is a scene common whenever any visiting dignitaries or heads of state visit the country—yet Tuesday’s show of force was just for practice.
With the Asean Summit just weeks away, government officials have stepped up efforts to organize and train police and other officials on the more minute details of the summit, such as directing traffic in a city where few people observe traffic laws.
“This is all a rehearsal for the Asean motorcades,” said General Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior.
“We need to organize all police officers to take the correct measures for protocol and security reasons.”
With an estimated 500 delegates arriving here for the Asean Summit—including prime ministers from Japan, China and India, and top leaders from South Korea and the 10 Asean member nations—the government is planning on employing “thousands” of police and military officers for protection and security concerns, Khieu Sopheak said on Tuesday.
“The recent events in Bali showed that terrorists can strike,” he said. “Although we have no concrete evidence, we think Cambodia is one of the targets for international terrorism and prevention is the best way to prevent tragedies.”
Besides the terrorist threats and beefed up security, officials must contend with things such as congested streets and motorcade routes. Which is where Tuesday’s rehearsals come in.
Tuesday was the first practice motorcade run, and it will be followed by three more, according to Ou Tuth, a policeman stationed at Pochentong Airport. He was one of the 100-plus motorcycle police officers dressed in immaculate white jackets and navy blue trousers, which will be the standard uniform during the upcoming summit meetings.
Standing outside the VIP section of Pochentong International Airport Tuesday, Ou Yuth said the government has ordered three more “Asean training” sessions. As he spoke, Mercedes Benzes carrying low-ranking officials serving as temporary VIP stand-ins drove into the VIP parking lot, up to the main VIP pavilion, and then back to Russian Boulevard.
From there, individual motorcades comprised of four or five motorcycle police, and oftentimes a Mercedes Benz, drove through the city to one of the five-star luxury hotels.
Police at the Hotel Inter-Continental blocked off traffic on Mao Tse-tung Boulevard temporarily for the rehearsal—a practice that will continue during the week as the Interior Ministry performs more practice runs, Khieu Sopheak said. “Don’t worry, we will only close the streets temporarily,” Khieu Sopheak said with a chuckle. “It is all for the motorcades.”
