AFP
Nearly 100 Cambodian troops are wrapping up two weeks of US-led training for peacekeeping operations, in another sign of increasing ties between the two nations' militaries.
The Cambodian troops drilled Friday in various scenarios, manning mock checkpoints and conducting patrols during which they were ambushed, set upon by angry mobs and attacked with bomb-laden vehicles.
Having already sent military deminers on a United Nations mission to Sudan, Cambodia is likely to expand its role as a global peacekeeper, although it has so far refused US requests to send troops to Iraq.
The Cambodians have been training in basic peacekeeping tactics such as conducting patrols or convoy security, aid distribution and search operations, said Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Dunne of the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).
The GPOI is a five-year peace operations training program managed by the US State Department.
"They're learning the peacekeeping skills everybody needs, and the biggest one is security," Dunne said.
"These soldiers have done a really good job. They've risen to the standard," he added.
The training at a military compound 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Phnom Penh marks another increase in US military involvement in Cambodia since a ban on military aid was lifted in 2005, and comes as concern rises over China's growing influence in the region.
China is expanding its military ties as well as increasing aid to Cambodia, including military hardware. Beijing in 2005 gave Cambodia six patrol boats to bolster its ageing navy.
The Cambodian troops drilled Friday in various scenarios, manning mock checkpoints and conducting patrols during which they were ambushed, set upon by angry mobs and attacked with bomb-laden vehicles.
Having already sent military deminers on a United Nations mission to Sudan, Cambodia is likely to expand its role as a global peacekeeper, although it has so far refused US requests to send troops to Iraq.
The Cambodians have been training in basic peacekeeping tactics such as conducting patrols or convoy security, aid distribution and search operations, said Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Dunne of the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).
The GPOI is a five-year peace operations training program managed by the US State Department.
"They're learning the peacekeeping skills everybody needs, and the biggest one is security," Dunne said.
"These soldiers have done a really good job. They've risen to the standard," he added.
The training at a military compound 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Phnom Penh marks another increase in US military involvement in Cambodia since a ban on military aid was lifted in 2005, and comes as concern rises over China's growing influence in the region.
China is expanding its military ties as well as increasing aid to Cambodia, including military hardware. Beijing in 2005 gave Cambodia six patrol boats to bolster its ageing navy.
2 comments:
Lon Nol Army is more Stronger than Hun Sen Army.
Thank you 1:27AM, you are very smart to notice that. We were much stronger.Our officers are real and professional.Now, the number of troop is almost equal the number of general. Stars are everywhere.It has been heard that there is no night time in Cambodia.Too many stars.
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