[Vietnamization, military, intelligence gathering] Cambodian Military to Train Vietnamese Peacekeepers

Cambodian Military to Train Vietnamese Peacekeepers

Khmer Times | 26 February 2016

Vietnamese officials have requested Cambodian peacekeepers help train Vietnamese forces in preparation for additional training the Vietnamese military will receive from the United Nations.

The agreement was made by Deputy Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Center of the Ministry of National Defense Luu Dinh Hien during a meeting with Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defense Chay Sangyun on Wednesday.

According to Mr. Dinh Hien, the Vietnamese military is planning on sending an engineering unit and health sector unit for training exercises, however its military lacks experience [oh, how modest!] in certain procedures in exercises that the UN conducts.

“As our neighbor, Vietnam requests Cambodia help train our military,” Mr. Dinh Hien said.

Cambodia has sent more than 3,000 peacekeepers abroad with the UN since 2006.

Mr. Dinh Hien requested training from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces peacekeepers, who he said had valuable experience working with foreign militaries. 

Mr. Sangyun said that his and the Vietnamese defense ministries must help each other whenever needed.  

“The Vietnamese military has contributed to the construction of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in the past, not only providing spirit and materials but building human resources,” he said. 

In April this year, the Kingdom will follow a UN request to send more than 300 military personnel to Malaysia.