1.
GV Women recruits lined up in stadium
0.03

2.
SV Recruits (2 shots)
0.19

3.
MV Woman instructor lectures recruits
0.22

4.
MV Women on parade
0.24

5.
SV Man instructor inspecting recruits (3 shots)
0.32

6.
CU Women recruits (3 shots)
0.38

7.
SV Officer with recruits in b/g (2 shots)
0.45

8.
MV Male NCO moves through ranks straightening headgear
0.54

9.
SV Woman NCO checks details of dress
1.01

10.
SV Male troops look on
1.02

11.
SV Women recruits come to attention
1.07

12.
MV & SV Recruits at attention and about turning (3 shots)
1.17

13.
SV Civilians look on (2 shots)
1.20

14.
SV Major Nou Neau (woman officer) inspects troops
1.23

15.
TV PAN recruits on parade
1.34



Initials SAW/PNG/OS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Cambodian Army has started recruiting women for the rapidly expanding Government military forces. At a parade at the National Stadium in Phnom Penh on Saturday (13 June) 2000 of the women recruit began their training.

The conscription age for women is from 16 to 35 years but most of the recruits on parade were less than 20 years old. It was a light-hearted occasion with the girls taking their first taste of training in good spirit. The traditional elegant Cambodian dress has been replaced with Khaki uniforms. NCOs made sure the girls kept their hats straight.

In the meantime the girls will be allowed to go home at night but eventually they will be housed in barracks or under canvas near the National stadium. Initially the first contingent of service women will number about 1500 and this number is expected to be increased by least fourfold. The recruits will receive elementary drill instruction for about five days before being issued rifles to start training as infantry troops. Later, they will be selected for various branches of the Army in exactly the same manner as men recruits.

When the first-day contingent had reached some sort of order Major No[u Neau, an elected member of the National Assembly and wife of a Brigadier General, inspected the parade.

Before long the women servicemen will be ready to take their place in the military forces facing an increasingly critical situation in Cambodia.