The survival rate is significantly higher than inpreviouswars, and much credit goes to those working to save lives in places such as the 10th Combat Support Hospital.
Arab television audiences have also been surprised to find that, in contrast to previouswarsin the region, their own news channels are proving at least as reliable as western ones.
The statement was only the fourth statement to be made on a Friday in the past 10 years - previous statements have covered the warsin Iraq and Libya, and swine flu.
The situation is so tense in Phnom Penh that when the ordnance left over from previouswars was blown up last week, residents panicked and ran for cover.