Cambodia grateful to Vietnam: Defence Minister Tea Banh (sick!)

17/09/2012 (VOV) - Cambodia will always bear in mind the Vietnamese army and people’s great support for past struggle for national independence and the present process of national construction, said Cambodian Defence Minister General Tea Banh.

Speaking on Cambodia’s TV5 channel, Tea Banh, who is also Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, reaffirmed that the bilateral cooperation and mutual support between the two countries are proof of the everlasting solidarity.

He reviewed the painful sufferings of Cambodian people under the Khmer Rouge rule and expressed sincere thanks to the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers for helping the Cambodian people overthrow the cruel Pol Pot regime and restore freedom, peace and democracy in the whole country.

Xmer naval command heasquarters is a Vietcong gift

Vietnam, Cambodia navies boost ties

06/07/2012
VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA

The Royal Cambodian Army’s naval command headquarters, a friendship gift from the Vietnam Naval High Command, was inaugurated in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia on July 5.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Tea Banh thanked the Vietnamese Party, Government, army and people for their effective assistance to the Royal Cambodian Army.

For his part, Deputy Defence Minister Admiral Nguyen Van Hien said during Vietnam’s struggles for national independence and reunification and Cambodia’s fight for independence and escape from a genocidal regime, the two countries’ people and armed forces always stood side by side and assisted each other.

Sea row won’t make agenda [: Duck Shot]

Cambodia’s Defence Minister Tea Banh (left) and his Singaporean counterpart Ng Eng Hen walk past an honour guard yesterday prior to a meeting in Phnom Penh. Photo by Pha Lina

Thursday, 19 April 2012
Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post

Following a closed-door meeting, the defence ministers of Cambodia and Singapore announced yesterday that the controversial South China Sea dispute would not be placed on the agenda at next week’s ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting.

Speaking to reporters after the session with his Singaporean counterpart, Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh recognised the importance of resolving the prickly dispute, describing it as a “key issue”, but said that it would not be a topic of discussion at the defence leaders’ summit, which begins next Tuesday in Siem Reap.

“The defence ministers of ASEAN have no obligation to raise [the issue] for discussion,” Tea Banh said.

Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen looked to other nations to take primary responsibility for resolving the dispute, which he said was “complex” and required “patience”.

Tea Vinh: Duck Shot's brother

General Tea Vinh and General Tea Banh, is there a diference?

Pictures of Tea Vinh and wife:

Hanoi's marching order to Tea Banh

Neighbours pledge border co-operation

March, 14 2012
VNS

DA NANG — Viet Nam and Cambodia vowed to increase co-operation in border security and delegation exchanges during talks between the two defence ministers on Monday.

Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh and his Cambodian counterpart General Tea Banh, who doubles as Cambodian deputy Prime Minister, agreed to boost the training of army officers, joint patrols of territorial waters and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteers and soldiers who died during Cambodia's wars.

General Tea Banh, heading a delegation from the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, left central Da Nang City yesterday, wrapping up his official visit to the country.

Cambodian and Thai Defense Ministers agreed on DMZ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tueCUCOokLE

Tea Banh: Cambodia will suspend army promotion as the number of high-ranking officers reaches the 93 level

07 Nov 2011
By Soy Sopheap
DAP-news
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Phnom Penh – Tea Banh, the minister of Defense, declared that the ministry of National Defense has decided to suspend promotions in the army temporarily because the number of promotions has increased so significantly that the situation is comparable to that of 1993 when the number of promotions increased exponentially.

During the anniversary of the formation of the RCAF (9 Nov 1953-9 Nov 2011) on Monday at the ministry of Defense, General Tea Banh declared: “I would like to announce that it is necessary to leave it [promotion] as is because it is too much, i.e. it is comparable to 1993. It is now the same amount as 1993. In 1993, we decided to hold a promotion revolution once.”

Thai-Cambodia Tensions Ease Ahead of Defense Ministers' Meeting

Thailand General Yutthasak Sasiprapha (Reuters file photo).

Thursday, 01 September 2011
Ron Corben, VOA | Bangkok

“I think both sides are trying to create a new impression that they are back at the negotiation table."

Thailand and Cambodia hope a meeting of their defense ministers in September will help rebuild cross-border relations after two years of tensions and armed clashes. The improved diplomatic outlook follows the election in July of the Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thai Defense Minister General Yutthasak Sasiprapha and Cambodia’s deputy prime minister and defense minister, General Tea Banh, will co-chair a meeting of the general border committee in Phnom Penh on September 8.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University and former government spokesman, says although there are several outstanding disputes, there is also a sense that both countries want to return to normal diplomatic relations.

Cambodia unclear about Thaksin's visit this week: defense minister (sic!)

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Tea Banh said Wednesday that he was not sure about the visit of Thailand's ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Cambodia later this week.

"I am unclear about his visit," he told reporters on Wednesday. "I also see the reports in the Thai media, but it is unclear."

Tea Banh's remark came after The Nation newspaper on Wednesday quoted a source inside Pheu Thai Party, claiming that Thaksin is expected to be in Cambodia for two days from Friday, and he will take some foreign investors to meet and play golf with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Defense Minister Tea Banh to make the business deal.

[Chinese] Defense minister vows to further pragmatic cooperation with Cambodia

June 23, 2011
Xinhua

State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie held talks with visiting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh, calling for deeper cooperation between the two countries.

Liang said China and Cambodia have a long and traditional friendship, which has stood the test of time and weathered the changes in the world.

Liang said China takes Cambodia as a good neighbor, friend and partner and is willing to make joint efforts with it to elevate comprehensive bilateral ties.

Liang suggested the two armies should maintain high-level exchanges and strengthen communications on personnel training in a bid to further promote their relationship.

China meet begins

Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Adam Miller
The Phnom Penh Post

The Phnom Penh Post Chinese media have reported that Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh met with Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping yesterday, in a meeting aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries and their armed forces. Xi Jinping reportedly said China would continue to offer necessary aid to build the country’s economic and social development. Tea Banh reportedly echoed these views and expressed appreciation for China’s long-term aid. He is also reported to be holding talks with Defence Minister Liang Guanglie.

Chinese vice president meets Cambodian deputy prime minister

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Tea Banh, Cambodian deputy prime minister and defense minister, in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2011. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Tea Banh, Cambodian deputy prime minister and defense minister, in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2011. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh and called for cultivating relations between the two countries and their armed forces to a higher level.

Xi, who is also vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, spoke highly of the traditional friendship between the Chinese and Cambodian peoples and highlighted the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two nations that has reached a new level.

The Chinese government highly values its ties with Cambodia and is ready to work with Cambodia for the healthy and stable development of the partnership, Xi said.

RI hosts another round of Thai, Cambodia border talks

We meet again: Defense ministers Gen. Tea Bahn of Cambodia ( from left), Purnomo Yusgiantoro of Indonesia and Prawit Wongsuwon of Thailand greet each other as they meet ahead of the 5th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday. AP/Achmad Ibrahim

Thu, 05/19/2011
Mustaqim Adamrah and Dina Indrasafitri
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With one chance after another to resolve their current dispute, Thailand and Cambodia have met yet again over the border issue that has ignited repeated skirmishes between the two nations.

Thai Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM). That meeting inspired hopes that the resolution Indonesia, as the current chair of ASEAN, has brokered will proceed and conclude in peace.

Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro held a number of separate talks with his ASEAN counterparts, as Indonesia is trying to build a climate of defense cooperation among countries in the region.

The ADMM will officially open on Thursday and conclude on Friday.

Defence ministers to meet

Duck Shot aka Tea Banh (Photo: DAP)

Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh is set to carry out sideline talks with his Thai counterpart Prawit Wongsuwon at a regional summit starting tomorrow, in the latest diplomatic effort to follow April’s deadly border clashes.

Ta Banh is set to leave for Indonesia today to take part in the two-day Association of Southeast Asean Nations defence ministers’ summit in Jakarta.

Lieutenant-general Chhum Socheat, spokesman for Ministry of Defence, said yesterday that “as planned the two defence ministers will meet” in talks mediated by ASEAN chair Indonesia. He would not reveal specific topics to be tabled but said the ASEAN meeting would review developments in the region, including security issues.

Prawit to meet Tea Banh in Jakarta

11/05/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon will meet his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh to discuss border problems during the 5th Asean Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) in Jakarta, Col Thanathip Sawangsaeng said on Wednesday.

The defence spokesman said Gen Prawit would be accompanied by Gen Kittipong Ketkowit, the permanent secretary for defence, and a number of military officers in the trip to Indonesia.

The meeting is for the defence ministers of the 10 Asean member countries to exchange opinions concerning security and military affairs in the region.

Thai Defence Minister ready for truce talks: local reports

BANGKOK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon would be open to having talks on ceasefire with his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh after he returns from a visit to China, Bangkok Post online quoted his secretary as saying on Wednesday.

Gen. Noppadol Inthapanya said Gen. Prawit left for China on Wednesday morning for a visit at the invitation of the Chinese defence minister issued during his visit to Thailand several months ago.

The China trip had long been planned and could not be postponed, he said.

"In fact, Gen. Prawit did not have an appointment to meet Gen Tea Banh on Wednesday, May 27, when he was scheduled to leave for China. However, Gen. Prawit said that on his return from China on Saturday he would seek a meeting with Gen Tea Banh provided that the situation has returned to normal," Gen. Noppadol said.

Thailand pulls out of planned talks with Cambodia [-Peace talk driven by Khmer newspapers rumors? Bangkok must be kidding!]

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
AFP

BANGKOK — Thailand's defence minister has cancelled his planned trip to Cambodia Wednesday for talks on a border ceasefire, an army spokesman said, in a setback to efforts to end the deadly fighting.

"We decided last night to cancel General Prawit (Wongsuwon's) trip to Phnom Penh today after some Cambodia media reported Thailand agreed to ceasefire talks after it admitted defeat and losses," said Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd.

Eight Cambodian and five Thai troops have died in five days of heavy weapons fire on the two countries' disputed jungle frontier, prompting growing diplomatic pressure on the neighbours to end the conflict.

Both sides have accused each other of starting the clashes.

"We welcome talks on the condition that they stop firing first for a few days. We clearly informed Cambodia of this condition," Sunsern said.

Cambodia, Thailand to discuss ceasefire

Apr 26, 2011
AFP

PHNOM PENH - THE Thai and Cambodian defence ministers will meet soon to discuss a truce, Phnom Penh said on Tuesday, after five days of heavy border fighting left 13 troops dead.

'Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh has agreed to meet his Thai counterpart in Phnom Penh shortly to discuss a ceasefire between the two countries,' the Cambodian defence ministry said in a statement.

Thai Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon indicated that he was ready for dialogue with his Cambodian counterpart.

'We will have an opportunity to talk and there will be no problem. I think the situation will ease within a few days,' he told reporters in Thailand during a visit to the border area.

Border Clashes Spread as Leaders Talk of Ceasefire

A Cambodian Buddhist monk watches a house damaged by a rocket during Monday night's armed clash near the disputed border area between Cambodia and Thailand in Kork Morm village, Udor Meanchey province, Cambodia, Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Thai and Cambodian military officers say the border between their two countries is calm after four days of clashes. (Photo: AP)

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 26 April 2011

"The two men spoke by phone as border skirmishes spread to Preah Vihear province, where the two sides exchanged rocket and artillery fire."

The defense ministers of Thailand and Cambodia agreed to hold talks for a ceasefire late Tuesday, as spreading border clashes entered their fifth day.

Defense Minister Tea Banh agreed with his counterpart, Pravit Wongsuwan, to hold talks in Phnom Penh “soon” to discuss a ceasefire, according to a Cambodian statement late Tuesday.

The two men spoke by phone as border skirmishes spread to Preah Vihear province, where the two sides exchanged rocket and artillery fire, military officials said.

Defence minister denies export claim

Duck Shot aka Tea Banh

Monday, 18 April 2011
Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
The Phnom Penh Post

Defence minister Tea Banh yesterday denied allegations from a lawyer for a Taiwanese mining company who claimed that a firm linked to a general in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces had exported copper through a naval port using military vessels.

A lawyer for Taiwan’s Hong Tung Resource Co Ltd announced plans last week to sue the Nim Meng Group for US$96 million for allegedly defrauding his clients and seizing imported mining equipment. RCAF Major General Nim Meng and his wife, Lay Sineang, served on the board of directors for the aborted joint-venture project between the two companies, and Lay Sineang is the director of Nim Meng Group.

Hong Tung and Nim Meng Group began working together in July of last year on a copper mining project in Siem Reap province’s Chi Kraeng district, formalising their partnership in January of this year under the name Nim Meng Sinohope Group Company, according to a draft copy of the Hong Tung complaint.

The Nim Meng Group abruptly terminated this partnership in February, the complaint alleges, adding that the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy subsequently transferred the licence for the concession from Nim Meng Sinohope Company, the joint venture, to Nim Meng Group.