Vietcong and former KR soldiers increase cooperation

Viet Nam, Cambodia veterans increase co-operation

Wednesday, March 03, 2010
VNS (Hanoi)

Phnom Penh — War veterans of Viet Nam and Cambodia will tighten their co-operation in many fields after a deal on friendship and co-operation was made between war veterans' associations of the two countries in Phnom Penh yesterday.

The agreement was reached at a meeting the same day between the Cambodian Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, Ith Samheng, and head of the visiting Vietnamese delegation, Lieutenant General Tran Hanh.

The lieutenant general, who is chairman of the Viet Nam War Veterans' Association (VWVA), is leading a delegation to Cambodia from March 1-4.

The agreement will increase coordination in the dissemination of information regarding the traditional friendship and mutual support between the states, armies and war veterans' associations of Viet Nam and Cambodia, domestically and internationally.

Cambodia appoints first female deputy prime minister

Comrade Men Sam An

Oct 23, 2008
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia has appointed former soldier turned journalist Men Sam An as its first female deputy prime minister, the politician confirmed Thursday.

The 55-year-old, who represents the south-western province of Svay Rieng, was a senior minister in the previous cabinet and said she is honoured by the promotion.

Men Sam An became part of Cambodian folklore in the 1970s, marshalling troops on the Vietnam border against the Khmer Rouge with what her comrades describe as extraordinary bravery.

She subsequently became an important member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, which was returned with an increased majority in national elections in July, and has also worked as a journalist for party publications.

'I became a soldier when I was 16. This honour shows that women can achieve anything if they have support,' she said.

In Cambodia, seven deputy prime ministers jointly served under Prime Minister Hun Sen last term.

Democratic elections resumed in Cambodia in 1993 after nearly three decades of civil war and are held every five years.

Politics in Cambodia has traditionally been male-dominated, although there are a number of powerful female politicians, especially within Men Sam An's own party.