D EPUTY Assistant Secretary of Defense Patricia Irwin (above) has praised efforts

to reform the Cambodian army and has promised the US will provide more

non-lethal aid to the government.

"The American government as well as the

Pentagon is watching with great interest... the reorganization of the

[Cambodian] army," Irwin told reporters on March 1.

She said the

reorganization was extremely important to the future of American-style democracy

in Cambodia.

"We're happy that this [reorganization] is taking place. I

think the progress has been very good."

The deputy assistant secretary

arrived in Cambodia on Feb 28, bringing with her a third plane-load of

humanitarian assistance for the Royal army. She said the Defense Department will

be sending more construction and engineering equipment to Cambodia, but did not

give a date.

So far, the US has provided $3 million in non-lethal aid to

the royal army.

The American embassy in Cambodia was closely monitoring

the use of material it supplies to the royal army, to make sure it does not end

up in the markets, she said.