Ministry Denies Intimidating CNRP

The Ministry of National Defense yesterday denied that Wednesday’s military drills in Phnom Penh were to threaten or intimidate members of the opposition. According to a press release from the Defense Ministry spokesman yesterday, the movement of armed forces, patrol boats and helicopters in some locations of Phnom Penh and Kandal province was training for pilots and quick reaction forces.
 

It added that the training took place to enhance the armed forces’ fighting capacity to protect the integrity of the nation. “This should be encouraged from public and patriotic politicians. Some politicians did not show support when they saw soldiers making an effort to increase their capacity to defend the country and said it threatened and intimidated them,” the press release said.
 

It added that when those politicians campaign for office, they boast of being patriots and defenders of the country, but then do not support the military when seeing Cambodian soldiers training and striving to improve. “The spokesman of the National Defense Ministry denies all accusations from those politicians, and condemns all people whose intent is to tarnish the reputation of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, which holds a neutral position to protect the nation’s integrity and legitimate government,” it said.

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