Justice Naimuddin, the chief election commissioner of Pakistan, sent a letter to

the 27 Pakistani IPSOs here in Cambodia congratulating them on their involvement

in the UNTAC administered elections.

Pakistan, which is itself preparing for nationwide parliamentary elections to be

held on July 14 was hard-pressed to relieve the polling station observers given the

need for election commission staff back home.

However, in light the special request from the U.N. Secretary General and the stated

commitment to the democratic process by Election Commission of Pakistan, involvement

in the Cambodian Plebiscite was deemed valuable.

Seven of the Pakistani IPSOs were stationed in Preah Vihear, while the remaining

20 were posted to polling sites in Battambang province. Preah Vihear was the site

of recent fighting between a Pakistani infantry company and Khmer Rouge guerrillas.