Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Thursday, 22 July 2010
"The new relationship will be characterized by “people to people” and “business to business” relationships, as more US investors look to Cambodia."With 60 years of diplomatic relations behind them, Cambodia and the US are likely to experience stronger ties, as they move toward more economic engagement, a lecturer told students and others on Thursday.
Speaking at a symposium organized by the US Embassy, Chheang Vannarith, executive director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, said US-Cambodian issues were likely to shift away from ideology and politics and more toward economics.
“I hope for the next 60 years, it is more on an economic-oriented approach and economic interdependency,” he said.
Chheang Vannarith was among a number of experts, historians and former diplomats who discussed the ongoing relationship between the two countries, one that has not always been smooth. The US only recently restarted direct aid to Cambodia, following a withdrawal after the 1997 coup.
The new relationship will be characterized by “people to people” and “business to business” relationships, as more US investors look to Cambodia, he said.
He also added that China's relationship with Cambodia was not likely to hurt the US here, as as interdependent relationship between the two giants was ongoing.
Chheang Vannarith spoke to an audience that included many students, whose views on his talk varied.
Ly Sreyrath, a 24-year-old student of international studies at the Royal Phnom Penh University, said the next 60 years were bound to be better, especially with the increasing economic relationship between the two.
However, Ngol Kean, 23, and also a student of international studies at the university, said he was “worried” about the relationship.
“The economic and military influences of China have been expanding in the last century,” he said. “The US seems to think that Cambodia has more political interest [for it] than economic.”
“The major US companies will not have a presence in direct investment in Cambodia,” he said.
23 comments:
that's a real change, people to people, business to business, economic to economic, etc..., a real change in cambodia relations with america. i think with this, politcal goodwills will come with it later, naturally. god bless cambodia and america.
US works well with only democratic government. As long as Hun Sen still in power the relationship can turn sour at any time. Unless the US just wants to be a paper tiger as in the 60's.
Why wait til the next 60 years?
As long as the government can improve their Human Right record the relationship will start better overnight.
until now these two governments, especially the US, have enough sense to try a new path .s
The more American present in Cambodia is always better. Who needs more Communist chineese here? Ngol what are you worry about? Communist= close or zero freedom while Capitalist= everything else. You have your freedom to choose how you want to live your life vs the other the way around. Don't be a fool and a slow mover. Look around be happy and get moving with the American!
The 60th anniversary of diplomatic relation was celebrated in Seattle last week. I couldn't understand what Hem Heng was trying to say at the ceremony. He kept begging the US to forgive US debt to Cambodian.
I was at the celebration at Seattle too and heard that Mr.?? president of Cambodian association of Tacoma is the new CPP-WA president. Is this true any body can shed some light on this?
Khmer from WA
Hey Khmer:
Didn't we just tore the coutry and each other apart because some Khmers including KR, Sihaknouk, and Hun Sen did not like the stinking Americans who were friendly with Lon Nol?
What make Hun Sen government and CPP and Khmer PPenh change heart so swiftly this time?
If Americans can do magic why can't they help fix Haiti and Mexico right in their own neighborhood?
I am confused!
May be because I am a:
Pagoda Boy
There are plently of American businessmen in Vietnam. Look at them now. Ho chi min city looks like mini New York today. Did American see anything wrong with it? No. did vietnamese see anytthing wrong with it? No. So while Vietnam is getting richer, what did American gain? Guess. China is surrounded by Japan,her friend Vietnam and their little friends us and Loas. What can the Chinese do to get rid of Vietnamese in Cambodia? nothing.
Let not forget the old decease. The Chinese is the country known to suppress human right on earth. She may be strong and rich but her policy is not nice, but you have to see that China let Cambodia live almost freely and under a constitutional monarchy, yet. So there is some understanding somewhere. That why Hun Sen and Sihanouk are having a hard time letting go of the chinese. Who could? So what's the problem? just live together on this earth and share wealth. See something wrongfully done and let's denounce. That day will come soon. You need to be conscious and don't stupidly work for any dictator. Work for yourself.
U.S. relations have improved dramatically since 97, and hopefully this will translate to the US forgiving the so-called debt owed by Cambodia for the humanitarian aid given by the US prior to 75
9:39 am, have you ever played a game of chess? Political game is almost identical.
We should ask ourselves: why the US is rushing for stronger dimplomatic ties, i.e., Vietnam, Cambodia,and other once-notorious dictators, and why all of a sudden this surge?
Perhaps, the growing thread from china has something to do with Sec. of State Hilary.
What's your take on this issue?
In retrospect, please re-examine these cases: the former accountant who was sentenced to life in prison, the grenade attacks, the turning blind eye to deplorable conditions of human rights violations by the Cambodian government, yet the US chose Cambodia as a host for the joint-military exercise. Also, why the sec. of state travels around the world to swiftly strike diplomatic ties around the world despite human rights violations in those countries. The US is after something, and the Chinese must be the principal of the concern. Sure, there are numerous specific strategic interests that the US is going after, in case the Chinese decides to make any drastic move. The real challenge will be the joint-military exercise with S. Korea and US in the yellow sea, and the Chinese does not like it a bit. I'm sure some of you recall the Korean conflict in the 1950s, and why the Chinese decided to join in the fight. As far I can see, there will be a lot of things will happen between now and the end of this year. Furthermore, all these military exercises in the yellow sea is a precusor to war. Remember, the N. Korean takes the upcoming military exercise as a tantamount to war. May gods help us.
Dear Sirs,
Cambodia is enjoying a new chapter of relationship with the US Administration and the Americans.
Many countries in the American Continent are turning their eyes to this 60th Anniversary of USA and Cambodia Diplomatic Relations.
There are more countries in this continent have diplomatic relations with Cambodia since 1991 Paris Peace Accord on Cambodia.
Many Cambodians are very happy with this turning point in this July 2010. But there are a few Cambodians are not so glad about this. They still complaint on this issue.
Long Live Cambodia-USA Diplomatic Relations!
Ly
5:14 PM
You're fucking blind and ignorant idiot.
Cambodia has no choice, Cambodia is a Vietnam satelite, Yeaknam is at the USA side, automatically Cambodia will also at the same side.
The problem is, Hun Sen could be replaced by some one else because Hun Sen always said, he will never able to be friend with American.
USA wants to isolate China and Noth Korea because China + Noth Korea + South-est Asia would be too strong..
Why Khmers cannot sing and dance to our own drumbeat instead of to the drumbeat of the Chinese, Viets, and now the Yankees.
Have we not suffered enough from swaying and bending to the wind, painting each other black/white/blue/red so we can prosecute and destroy one another.
If we desire change "Be the change we want to be!". Make outsider respect us for what we are, not to make us jump, sing, and dance for pennies and dimes such as in this case where the U.S. is coming back looking to solve its own dilemma and using us as stepping doormat ignoring the need of the poor and powerless Khmers living under tyrannical regime of Hun Xen.
Brothers,
The US has his own agenda by cooperate with Cambodia of the CPP because the US do not see any other government in the near future in Cambodia.The US want all the countries in Asia to coordinate the containment of the rise of China . But if the strongman failed like Sad Damn Hussein ,( in the war to destroy Iran ), the US will take measure to replace the strongman ( like in Iraq ). Just wait and see .
1:08 AM
I like your analytical comment.
Yes, I have to concur with you the fact that, yes, China is the element of "thread" and it must be eliminated, because the China's military growth is too exponential and drastic, and it must be stopped.
The US has brought about the Chinese threat by its own doing. They made the Chinese super-rich and subseqently powerful, and now is trying to contain the fire.....LOL
By doing so americans have come around and dragged Southeast Asian countries into their orbit, ignoring all other consequences just like what they have done in Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia war which was part of the cold war in the 60's.
If they are truly serious about containing China influence:
Stop sending their own manufacturing to China.
Stop buying from Wal-Marts
Stop selling high-tech to China
Stop borrow money from the China
But Noooooooooo....
If they can sell Marlboro cigarettes and Cokes and make 10 Cents out of a Dollar, how much profit will they gain out of a billion-plus Chinese, do the math!
But when it comes to defending their turf some idiot like us can be enticed with pennies and dimes to bleed for them.
Iron man! Oh no. Not again. Don't trust them please. I beg you.
They have a philosophy of protecting their own interest. If our mother land has no value, they would stay million miles away.
Monkey
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