Sihanoukville (FN), Jun. 8 – Cambodian defense minister Tea Banh said that there is no presence of foreign military bases in the kingdom as alleged by western medias, speaking in the groundbreaking ceremony for Drydock Ship Repair Workshop, Slipway Harbor and Rehabilitation Center in Ream Marine Base Modernization Center on Wednesday (Jun 8).

"Cambodia’s military capacity building does not intend to pose threats to any countries. Cambodia just wants to further enhance its self-defense capabilities; protects peace, security and prosperity; counter terrorism and transnational crimes; and perform disaster relief and peacekeeping operations. We will strengthen the capacity of RCAF nationwide, not just at the Ream Marine Base," the minister added.

Minister Banh continued that Cambodia does not only take aids and military grants from China, but from other countries to modernize defense sector in accordance with our Constitution.

"Cambodia has never opposed any helping hand of allies to strengthen the kingdom’s military capabilities," the minister underlined.

Article 53 of the kingdom’s Constitution stated “Cambodia shall not permit any foreign military base on its territory and shall not have its own military base abroad, except within the framework of a United Nations request. Cambodia reserves the right to receive foreign assistance in military equipment, armaments, ammunitions, in training of its armed forces, and other assistance for self-defense and to maintain public order and security within its territory.”
=FRESH NEWS