PHNOM PENH (AFP) — The head of the FBI on Thursday hailed Cambodia's role in the US "war on terror", as the agency opened its first office in Phnom Penh amid rising concern over regional extremism.Robert Mueller said the relationship between the countries in addressing the threat from extremists was "exemplary".
As he came to the end of a two-day visit, during which he held talks with his Cambodian counterparts, Mueller added: "The exchange of information between our services has been second to none."
His trip, part of a three-country Asian tour, came amid Washington's increasing efforts to further ties with the formerly communist nation, particularly in security.
Law enforcement officials have in the past expressed concern that Cambodia's porous borders and weak policing could make it a haven for extremists.
"Cambodia is an important country to us for the potential of persons transiting Cambodia, using Cambodia as a spot for utilising terrorism," the FBI director said.
Hambali -- real name Riduan Isamuddin -- who was allegedly a key member of the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network, reportedly spent several months in Cambodia before being captured in Thailand in 2003.
Mueller's visit follows a series of law enforcement exchanges, including Cambodian National Police Chief Hok Lundy's trip to Washington last April for anti-terror talks with the FBI.
The invitation was made to Hok Lundy -- who was previously refused a visa to the US over alleged involvement in human trafficking -- despite criticism from rights groups over reported abuses by his forces.
Mueller said Thursday that the issues of weak policing and corruption were part of his talks with Cambodian officials, but that graft was a problem worldwide.
6 comments:
In retrospect, I have learned that the Cambodian National Police Department has significantly changed in ways of fighting against national crimes, including counterfeit money, human trafficking, and drug prevention. But without FBI's virtuosity and cooperation, this sucess would not had happened, Cambodia would be deeply worsened by those corrupt officials which bribes were always available.
The U.S. Department of Justice had publicly pointed it out that those suspected perpetrators had sought their sanctuary in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Despite of protecting US. interests in the region, with the intensity of FBI presence in the Kingdom will optimistically encourage Cambodian officials to meet the international standards and potentially would make Cambodia a better place for entrepreneurs and tourism. Our impervished Kingdom will gradually
reduce the poverty.
S.T.
Hey! you wonder why FBI come before election? FBI or CIA is not good sign for Cambodia ever.
Cambodia have no terrorist, it has such a small population and most of them are budhists.
Why do they come here?
Mueller added: "The exchange of information between our services has been second to none."
At last, the US State Department recognized the Cambodia credential on War on terror.
Why do they come here? 4:15 AM
- Felt that they has been left out due to China insertion of power in the region.
The FBI has no interests in going after these corrupt officials in Cambodia; they're ONLY looking after the U.S. national intersts! Further, they have their priority (and objective). Therefore, whatever is going in Cambodia, it's the Cambodian internal matters, and the FBI -- again -- is not interested in meddling or interfere with the Cambodian internal problems or matters.
Moreover, if you still think that the FBI is here to assist the Cambodia to improve the life of the people, perhaps you need to talk, preferably who understand the American political prcess and its foreign policy toward Cambodia and other country. Also, there are only a handful of the Cambodian FBI agents in the agency.
Is the presence of the FBI in Cambodia hurt or help Cambodia? You need to answer that yourself.
Thank you for your concern,but Cambodia welcome all nations for friendship not for enemy.
7:44 AM
I do not think you know what "concern" and "enemy" and "friendship" are when dealing with the bureau.
How do you if the establishment with the bureau with help or hurt your country?
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