A few days ago, a number of local newspapers

including the Phnom Penh Post issue of 4-17 February, 2000 said an important reshuffle

would take place within the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, the General Staff and Ministry

of National Defense.

According to a speech of Samdech Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the cabinet

of Samdech Prime Minister would like to reject the reports published in all these

newspapers and the cabinet openly clarifies that H.E. Tea Banh is still co-minister

of national defense and H.E. Ke Kim Yan, who has held the position of commander-in-chief

instead of Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen since early 1999, is still the head of

the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen clarified that any reshuffle of both dignitaries or

personages and other individuals in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces must wait until

Samdech Hun Sen leaves the position of prime minister as these positions are accorded

by right of the prime minister.

Phnom Penh, 7 February 2000,

Cabinet of Prime Minister Hun Sen