We would like to clarify some points relating to the "Weapons Sculpture a Foreign

Affair" Opinion article in the last issue of the Post.

Peace of Art Project Cambodia (PAPC) is an educational art project involving over

ten partner organisations working to promote young Cambodian artists and a weapons-free

society. The event at the Foreign Correspondents' Club Phnom Penh on February 18

was indeed organized to introduce PAPC to foreign journalists and interested members

of the public and was essentially a press conference to promote the official opening

of Elements at Java Café/Gallery on February 20.

The opening of Elements, where over half the attendees were Khmer, was the event

at which all the students with their friends and families were attending with their

work on display and for sale. The pride they showed in their achievements, having

only worked in metal for a total of three months, was apparent to all who attended

and purchased sculpture.

Since the FCC launch and the Java show, over 30 journalists from four continents

including the local media have interviewed, photographed and filmed the students

with their enthusiastic consent, in the PAPC workshop where the unique sculptures

are created by them. The students' obvious talent and skill, for which PAPC strives

to provide a platform, is now being recognised from Tokyo to Tunbridge Wells.

The Cambodian National Police (who along with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces are

the "Cambodian development workers" responsible for the nationwide Flame

of Peace programme) have assisted PAPC in securing the destroyed weapons necessary

for the implementation and success of the project.

Above all else PAPC sends out a positive message and provides a group of talented

young artists the opportunity to promote themselves and their work. Everyone involved

is proud to be a part of it.

Sasha Constable Neil Wilford - PAPC Coordinators [email protected]