NEARLY two decades after their sudden and dramatic departure, American troops are preparing to return to Cambodia to help heal the scars left by two decades of warfare.
About 60 US troops will arrive in Cambodia in July or August as part of a US$3 million (HK$25.5 million) mine-clearing programme.
They will teach mine-clearing techniques to the Cambodian army.
''We will not be going out to clear any mines ourselves,'' said David Miller, a spokesman for the US Embassy in Phnom Penh. ''This is a training programme.'' He said the Americans would help train Cambodian forces in a variety of disciplines, from mine detection and disposal to medical treatment of injuries caused by mines.
Information specialists will advise on programmes designed to raise awareness of mines.
The mine-clearing activity is part of a part of a US$33 million United States aid package to Cambodia this year.