Cambodian-U.S forces to conduct a joint military exercise a second time

First Angkor Sentinel 2010 joint military exercise took place in Kampong Speu province on 17th July, 2010 and was joined by 500 troops from 26 countries. Cambodia's Prim Minister Hun Sen was seen in this picture standing in the middle with cap and wearing military camouflage. Cambodian and U.S forces will hold their second joint military exercise next week, nearly a year after the first joint military exercise called "Angkor Sentinel 2010" was conducted jointly in July 2010. The Cambodian Defence Ministry and the U.S Army will conduct a second joint military exercise called "Angkor Sentinel 2011" in Kampong Speu province involving 500 soldiers from 16th to 27th May in order to strengthen the cooperation between the Cambodian armed forces and the U.S Army. The report said that representatives from Nepal, Indonesia and Mongolia will be invited to observe this joint exercise, but representatives from Thailand, Laos and Vietnam will not be invited to observe the exercise. Gen. Chhum Socheat, spokesman for the Cambodian Defence Ministry, said this joint military exercise with U.S forces is very important and useful for Cambodia. "It is a very proud progress for the strengthening, cooperation and friendship with the international community, especially with the United States, on our military training, in peace-keeping and in humanitarian works", he said. The spokesman for the U.S Embassy, Mark Wenig, said through email that forces from the U.S Pacific Command will take part in the joint military exercise. He added that the U.S Pacific Command and the U.S government are dedicated to building a long-term relationships with Cambodia, saying that the joint exercise is an exchange of experience with a view to building a lasting relationship with Cambodia. Sources from the Cambodian Ministry of Defence said the joint exercise will involve training and exercise at the command base, humanitarian rescue and training in the construction of schools, hospitals and treatment and providing medical care to the people. The Cambodian and the U.S Ministries of Defence had conducted its first "Angkor Sentinel 2010" joint military exercise in July 2010 involving 500 troops from Russia, Vietnam, China and German and troops from other countries. Source: RFA