Kurt CampbellCambodia Has Role To Play: US Official
By Poch Reasey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
19 March 2010
A high-ranking State Department official said Wednesday that Cambodia plays an important role in some US issues, although the two countries sometimes have disagreements.
Assistant Secretary of State for Asia Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said Wednesday Cambodia can help the US in many ways.
“First of all just welcoming the role of the Unites States in Asia is something we very much appreciated,” Campbell told VOA Khmer in an exclusive interview in Washington. “There are a host of new issues we are dealing with in Asia, like climate change, and Cambodia would be affected if climate change continues given its reliance on the Mekong River.”
Under the administration of President Barrack Obama, US foreign policy will focus more on Southeast Asia, he said.
The US and Cambodia recently increased cooperation on many issues, including human trafficking, narcotics and terrorism, but Campbell acknowledged relations had not been perfect.
“There are issues on which our two countries disagree, but one of the things that we are seeking is the kind of dialogue where we are able to balance it,” he said. “We are working closely together with the enduring areas where we still have difficulties.”
The two sides are currently at odds over $300 million in debt accrued under the Lon Nol regime, which the US wants paid back but Cambodia wants turned into humanitarian aid.
Phay Siphan, a spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said the two sides have a good partnership, but they differ on freedoms and human rights.
“The two cultures are different,” he said. “On the US side, there is still a lack of understanding about the reality in Cambodia.”
This year will mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and Campbell said he was looking forward to celebrations in July.
“I think one of the things we want to underscore is our support for Cambodia and our excitement for the 60th anniversary, so that’s why it’s one of the reasons I am looking forward to the visit,” he said.
Assistant Secretary of State for Asia Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said Wednesday Cambodia can help the US in many ways.
“First of all just welcoming the role of the Unites States in Asia is something we very much appreciated,” Campbell told VOA Khmer in an exclusive interview in Washington. “There are a host of new issues we are dealing with in Asia, like climate change, and Cambodia would be affected if climate change continues given its reliance on the Mekong River.”
Under the administration of President Barrack Obama, US foreign policy will focus more on Southeast Asia, he said.
The US and Cambodia recently increased cooperation on many issues, including human trafficking, narcotics and terrorism, but Campbell acknowledged relations had not been perfect.
“There are issues on which our two countries disagree, but one of the things that we are seeking is the kind of dialogue where we are able to balance it,” he said. “We are working closely together with the enduring areas where we still have difficulties.”
The two sides are currently at odds over $300 million in debt accrued under the Lon Nol regime, which the US wants paid back but Cambodia wants turned into humanitarian aid.
Phay Siphan, a spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said the two sides have a good partnership, but they differ on freedoms and human rights.
“The two cultures are different,” he said. “On the US side, there is still a lack of understanding about the reality in Cambodia.”
This year will mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and Campbell said he was looking forward to celebrations in July.
“I think one of the things we want to underscore is our support for Cambodia and our excitement for the 60th anniversary, so that’s why it’s one of the reasons I am looking forward to the visit,” he said.
17 comments:
Dam it, why you guys at KI always see glass half empty. Come on, Cambodia came a long way, even though it is not perfect yet, it is getting better each day. Not long ago, we were in civil war, millions of people were starving for lack of food, now Cambodia is exporting rice. When people have enough to eat other good things will come step by step.
It's good to see the United States attempting to make a greater presence down there in Southeast Asia, especially Cambodia. It allows for choices and variety in terms of Cambodia's economic & geo-political decision making. The last thing we want to do is have China have a monopoly over Cambodia.
I'm thrilled at the attendance of Mr.Campbell for the celebration of the 60th annivesary of Cambodia-America diplomatic relations in P.Penh. However, I do worry that he comes empty-handed, which will definitely offend against our Cambodian culture as HE Phay Siphan states that money given as presents(not bribery?) to the government is part of our people's (not corruption?)culture.
Nowadays, people here prefer cash to gift cards as presents given to the government. last but not the least, make sure you pack the green goods in jumbo-size gift boxes. Could you consider my suggestion if you expect a red-carpet treatment from your 60-year-acquainted Asian friend?
"when in Rome do as the Romans do". Please don't disgrace Uncle Sam's name. Mr. Campbell.
correction: Damn it!
Bla bla bla USA and you do nothing.
Instead of rebuild what you destroyed, you ask Cambodia to rembouse.
Hun Sen Government have more than $300 millions of dollars. If they want to pay off debt from Lon Nol it's not a problem, But they're just being cheap. Blaming on Khmer Lon Nol Replublic try to defend and avoid from spreading Commmunist. The master mind of all this problem is the former King Norodom Sihanouk and the support of China and Viet Cong.
Yeay Phou And Hun Sen asset put together is more than Bill Gate.
Khmer Poit Paet live in US.
correction: rembouse is reimburse
Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime
Members:
Pol Pot
Nuon Chea
Ieng Sary
Ta Mok
Khieu Samphan
Son Sen
Ieng Thearith
Kaing Kek Iev
Hun Sen
Chea Sim
Heng Samrin
Hor Namhong
Keat Chhon
Ouk Bunchhoeun
Sim Ka...
Committed:
Tortures
Brutality
Executions
Massacres
Mass Murder
Genocide
Atrocities
Crimes Against Humanity
Starvations
Slavery
Force Labour
Overwork to Death
Human Abuses
Persecution
Unlawful Detention
Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime
Members:
Hun Sen
Chea Sim
Heng Samrin
Hor Namhong
Keat Chhon
Ouk Bunchhoeun
Sim Ka...
Committed:
Attempted Murders
Attempted Murder on Chea Vichea
Attempted Assassinations
Attempted Assassination on Sam Rainsy
Assassinations
Assassinated Journalists
Assassinated Political Opponents
Assassinated Leaders of the Free Trade Union
Assassinated over 80 members of Sam Rainsy Party.
"But as of today, over eighty members of my party have been assassinated. Countless others have been injured, arrested, jailed, or forced to go into hiding or into exile."
Sam Rainsy LIC 31 October 2009 - Cairo, Egypt
Executions
Executed over 100 members of FUNCINPEC Party
Murders
Murdered 3 Leaders of the Free Trade Union
Murdered Chea Vichea
Murdered Ros Sovannareth
Murdered Hy Vuthy
Murdered Journalists
Murdered Khim Sambo
Murdered Khim Sambo's son
Murdered members of Sam Rainsy Party.
Murdered activists of Sam Rainsy Party
Murdered Innocent Men
Murdered Innocent Women
Murdered Innocent Children
Killed Innocent Khmer Peoples.
Extrajudicial Execution
Grenade Attack
Terrorism
Drive by Shooting
Brutalities
Police Brutality Against Monks
Police Brutality Against Evictees
Tortures
Intimidations
Death Threats
Threatening
Human Abductions
Human Abuses
Human Rights Abuses
Human Trafficking
Drugs Trafficking
Under Age Child Sex
Corruptions
Bribery
Embezzlement
Treason
Border Encroachment, allow Vietnam to encroaching into Cambodia.
Signed away our territories to Vietnam; Koh Tral, almost half of our ocean territory oil field and others.
Illegal Arrest
Illegal Mass Evictions
Illegal Land Grabbing
Illegal Firearms
Illegal Logging
Illegal Deforestation
Illegally use of remote detonation bomb on Sokha Helicopter, while Hok Lundy and other military officials were on board.
Lightning strike many airplanes, but did not fall from the sky. Lightning strike out side of airplane and discharge electricity to ground.
Source: Lightning, Discovery Channel
Illegally Sold State Properties
Illegally Removed Parliamentary Immunity of Parliament Members
Plunder National Resources
Acid Attacks
Turn Cambodia into a Lawless Country.
Oppression
Injustice
Steal Votes
Bring Foreigners from Veitnam to vote in Cambodia for Cambodian People's Party.
Use Dead people's names to vote for Cambodian People's Party.
Disqualified potential Sam Rainsy Party's voters.
Abuse the Court as a tools for CPP to send political opponents and journalists to jail.
Abuse of Power
Abuse the Laws
Abuse the National Election Committee
Abuse the National Assembly
Violate the Laws
Violate the Constitution
Violate the Paris Accords
Impunity
Persecution
Unlawful Detention
Death in custody.
Under the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime, no criminals that has been committed crimes against journalists, political opponents, leaders of the Free Trade Union, innocent men, women and children have ever been brought to justice.
CONG-RESS OF PEOPLE PARTY!
COUNCIL OF PRIVATE PARTY!
CARS OF PEOPLE PARTY!
CAPTURE PEOPLE PARTY!
COMPETING PEOPLE PARTY!
CONCEAL PEOPLE PARTY!
COMPLAINT PEOPLE PARTY!
COMPOUND OF PEOPLE PARTY!
CRITICIZE PEOPLE PARTY!
CALLING PEOPLE PARTY!
CONTROLLING PEOPLE PARTY!
CLUBING OF PRIVATE PARTY!
CRUISING PEOPLE PARTY!
COPS OF PRIVATE PARTY!
COURTS OF PRIVATE PARTY!
CUFFING PEOPLE PARTY!
COMMISSION OF PRIVATE PARTY!
COGNAC OF PEOPLE PARTY!
CHAMPAGNE OF PEOPLE PARTY!
COLLECTING PEOPLE PLOTS!
CLAIMED PEOPLE PROPERT
COMRADES OF PRIVATE PARTY!
COMPATRIOTS OF PRIVATE PARTY!
CRIMINAL PEOPLE PARTY!
COMMUNIST PEOPLE PARTY!
COMMUNICATION OF PRIVATE PARTY!
ETC...........................
______________________________
CELEBRATING PEOPLE PARTY!
we hope the USA is proactive in the development of cambodia for all to enjoy. god bless cambodia and america.
I agree with 2:54.
"The two sides are currently at odds over $300 million in debt accrued under the Lon Nol regime, which the US wants paid back but Cambodia wants turned into humanitarian aid."
The U.S. needs to forgive this debt. If anything it's the U.S. that should be paying Cambodia for all the illegal bombing that started in 68.
I agree with 10: 55AM
It's not late yet,join each other MrKurt Campbell and tell the truth to ECCC in Phnom Penh that AngKor Wat belong to Khmer(Khmer Surin,khmer Borey Ram,khmer Krom,khmer US,Khmer Fr etc...)Khmer of the world.Not belong to China or Vietcong,
Preah Ko has Role to play with ECCC in Phnom Penh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBVdjbd_HDg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1aUKptmeXI
USA, please note that if it only comes out of the opposition party's mouth, it is biased, indeed. please don't buy only from the opposition or you become biased too. always check on the allegation of this or that about cambodia because when it came from a biased mouth, we all know it's not necessarily true. please listen to all sides, not just from opposition and so forth. thank you, america.
Why not have the Vietcong pay the $300 million dollars and it them who help the Pol Pot to destroy pro-American Lon Nol regime.
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