USA: Cambodia's criticism is unfounded

Tin Sokhavuth



US diplomats on Tuesday stated that the accusations that the US Government, including U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, were interfering in Cambodian internal affairs were unfounded and went against the principle of good bilateral relation between the two countries.

In a press release issued by the US mission to ASEAN on Tuesday, the US Government hoped that Cambodia would appreciate its hardship in rebuilding the country and a liberal democracy system from scratch with US foreign assistance since decades ago.

"Given the occasion of President Donald J. Trump to interact with regional leaders, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, at the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit, the United States expresses hope that this will afford the two nations an opportunity to move ahead, address concerns, and improve the bilateral relationship," read the press release.

However, the US Government expressed its strong concern about the restrictions of the free press, civil society, and the opposition party in Cambodia. Particularly, the US Government expressed its deep concern about the detention of the well-known opposition leader Kem Sokha.

According to the press release, on November 14, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs, Matt Pottinger, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia, W. Patrick Murphy, met with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn in Manila, Philippines on the margins of the East Asia Summit.

During the meeting, the delegations from both countries noted the importance of sovereignty, independence, and mutual respect. The US delegation emphasized that the US Government rather seek mutually beneficial and productive relations with Cambodia.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, on Monday at the Asean Summit in the Philippines, criticized the US Government for interfering in Cambodian affairs in front of the US president Donald Trump. Prime Minister Hun Sen also asked the US Government to transform Cambodia’s debt from the Vietnam War into aid for different developments in Cambodia.