Min of Defense twisting VNA's report in order to accuse others of spreading false information

VNA, Hanoi’s official government news media, reported on 25 March, that during his visit to Vietnam, Tea Banh, the Cambodian minister of Defense, “called on the Vietnamese Defence Ministry to assist and share experiences in maintaining security and public order in an effort to ensure Cambodia’s legislative elections, scheduled for July, are a success.” Following this publication, several organizations are questioning why Tea Banh would ask military assistance from Vietnam during the Cambodian election. On 01 April, the spokesman of the MoD accused all organizations questioning Tea Banh of spreading false information, instead the MoD said that Tea Banh merely asked Vietnam in “helping to provide (bilateral) experiences and sharing (bilateral) experiences.” It appears that MoD spokesman cannot comprehend English, or he is twisting the VNA’s article to shield Tea Banh.

Min. of Defense (MoD) rejects information about Tea Banh requesting VN to provide security protection during the election

Thursday, April 3, 2008
Koh Santepheap newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Phnom Penh – On 01 April, the spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD) issued a communiqué rejecting information that the MoD considers that it could create confusion to the national and international opinion. The MoD communiqué is provided below:

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Spokesman of the Ministry of Defense
Communiqué

Recently, a number of reports and electronic emails has created confusion among the national and international opinion, and affected the MoD honor and that of the entire Cambodian population, through the following fictitious information: “H.E. Tea Banh, vice-prime minister and minister of Defense” asked that Vietnamese Ministry of Defense to assist in protecting the security and public order during the upcoming July election. This spread of this false information is a comment that is far from the truth, baseless, and cannot be accepted. The good relationship and cooperation are Cambodia’s goal and it is a culture that it maintains with neighboring countries which usually provide and share mutual experiences, in particular among ASEAN countries.

The kingdom of Cambodia during the era of Samdach Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen clearly shows to the national and international opinion about its ability to preserve its independence, sovereignty and the government pride in the organization of the past four elections which took place following the UNTAC era where foreign troops helped organize the 1993 general election.

Four elections took place already, under all circumstances, the MoD clearly showed its ability and achievement in its participation with other national institutions to offer its capability to provide safety and security to all our citizens. The MoD capability clearly responds to its duty under the constitution which prohibits foreign troops to operate in or on any portion of the kingdom of Cambodia.

“Helping to provide (bilateral) experiences and sharing (bilateral) experiences” between Cambodia and Vietnam is a lesson for preserving security and public order, and it is the effort provided by the MoD to guarantee the success for the election to choose MPs which will take place in the upcoming July.

We believe that anything that differs from the content indicated above constitutes incitation and affect the interest and the honor of the MoD, as well as those of the kingdom of Cambodia which is absolutely protected by the law of the kingdom of Cambodia.

Phnom Penh, 01 March 2008

Ministry of Defense