Former UNTAC Force Commander Awarded Honorary Doctorate in Peace

Former UNTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia ) Force Commander Lieutenant General John Sanderson AC received an Honorary Doctorate in Peace from the University of Cambodia in Phnom Penh on April 25.

Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, President of the University of Cambodia, emphasised the important role Lieutenant General Sanderson played in peace building, stability and the development of Cambodia.

Australia played a key player in the development and negotiation of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements, which paved the way for the commencement of UNTAC.

According to the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, Lieutenant General Sanderson commanded almost 16,000 soldiers and officers as the UNTAC force commander. Australia contributed 1,200 personnel to the UNTAC mission.

Lieutenant General John Murray Sanderson AC and his wife Mrs. Lorraine Sanderson have been on a visit in Cambodia from April 23 to May 2, 2022 to mark the 30th anniversary of UNTAC, and as part of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Cambodia.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press