THE Ministry of National Defense will be re-organized shortly, according to defense

officials and military analysts.

In an effort to streamline operations the Ministry's new organizational structure

will see the institution with three general departments: Finance & Logistics;

Technical Services (which will deal with equipment and ammunition); and, Defense

services. Each of these will have from 3 to 6 sub-departments.

There will also be a separate Cabinet Department and five yet-to-be named departments

under the direct command of the Ministers of Defense.

The final shape of the Finance & Logistics Department has yet to be formalized

as there is debate over whether the two areas should be under one director. Gen Moeng

Samphan is currently in charge of Finance and sources say he is eager to combine

Logistics under one roof.

If family connections have any sway in the decision Samphan may have his way. His

son was recently engaged to Prime Minister Hun Sen's eldest daughter Hun Mana, 19,

who is completing her studies abroad.

Gen Neang Phat, currently director of the MoND's Department of Information, is said

to be a prime candidate for the directorship of the Department of Defense Services.

The MoND's current structure is said to be somewhat unwieldy, with 17 separate departments.