Large numbers of security forces have been deployed at locations in Siem Reap province and Phnom Penh to protect Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who arrived in Cambodia on Sunday with a delegation of Russian officials for a combination of official meetings and sightseeing.
According to a statement published on the National Police website on Friday, more than 10,000 personnel from the National Police, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and National Military Police will be deployed throughout Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province during the four-day visit.
Mr. Medvedev will be in Siem Reap today, where he is scheduled to visit Angkor Wat temple in a tightly controlled “private program” that only two government journalists will be allowed to cover, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“For the Siem Reap visit, the Russian side agreed to allow one TVK and one AKP reporter to cover the news upon the request of the representative of the Ministry of Information,” the statement said.
Siem Reap provincial governor Khim Bunsong, a longtime military general, said on Sunday that he was confident that the security measures in place would prove sufficient.
“In short, the safety and security provisions are already prepared …the most important thing is that we station all kinds of forces to provide security for all leaders who visit Cambodia,” he said.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Mr. Medvedev will meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen to oversee the signing of six agreements between Russia and Cambodia, including pacts to create closer ties between the CPP and Mr. Medvedev’s United Russia.
Phnom Penh City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche said on Sunday that city security forces were working with National Police Commissioner Neth Savoeun and National Military Police Commander Sao Sokha to ensure safety.
“We are working hard to ensure security, because safety and security is our first priority,” he said.
