Armed Forces

Prime Minister Hun Sen cautioned military officials against the use of force outside Cambodia at a ceremony to award doctoral and master's certificates to 22 recipients Monday. "Troops can be deployed and defensive force used only within Cambodian territory. [I] do not allow [you] to fight outside your own territory", he told military leaders, soldiers and police assembled at Chaktomuk Theatre. The awards, made by the Military Institute of the People's Army of Vietnam, included a doctor of military science certificate to army commander Pol Saroeun and deputy commander Kun Kim. Hun Sen said he personally checked all research theses and that none contained references to military activity outside Cambodia. "This indicates that the military has not thought of sending troops outside of Cambodia ... so there would be no reason for another country to be concerned," he said.