No Cambodian Teams To Aid Search for Missing Malaysian Plane
More than 40 aircraft and 40 ships from seven different countries have joined in the search, but officials say Cambodia, a member of Asean, will not be among them.
PHNOM PENH — Cambodian officials say they will not send a rescue team into international waters off its coast to aid in the mysterious disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines flight. Flight MH370, from Kuala Lumpur, would have crossed Cambodian waters and land en route to Beijing when it went missing Saturday. Search officials say they remain baffled as to its whereabouts, as the search area was widened on Tuesday. More than 40 aircraft and 40 ships from seven different countries have joined in the search. But officials say Cambodia, a member of Asean, will not be among them. “Cambodia has decided not to send any rescue teams,” government spokesman Phay Siphan told VOA Khmer on Monday. The “suspicious area” is thought to be between Vietnam and the Philippines, he said. “It seems that it’s not for Cambodia to participate in the search.” A Cambodian navy official, however, speaking on condition on anonymity, said Cambodia lacks the proper equipment or materials to embark upon maritime search and rescue.