Cambodia had yesterday asked Indonesia to help train its military in the art of espionage, a general’s assistant said.

The request was made during a meeting in Phnom Penh between General Chea Tara, head of Cambodia’s Intelligence Unit and deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and Hendro Wijayanto, a representative of the Intelligence Unit of Indonesia, Chea Tara’s assistant Chan Ponlok said.

“His Excellency [Chea Tara] has requested that Indonesia provide training on spying skills to young Cambodian soldiers and other technical assistance that can help strengthen its capacity,” Chan Ponlok quoted Chea Tara as saying.

“Further co-operation and exchange of information, particularly relating to security, was also requested, as Cambodia this year chairs ASEAN,” he said.

Indonesia has trained Cambodian parachutists and peacekeepers in the past. 

Wijayanto visited Phnom Penh to get to know Chea Tara, who was appointed head of the Intelligence Unit last month.