US stresses "the importance of freedom" ... while cozying up to the oppressor of Cambodia's freedom: Go figure, Uncle Obama!

US envoy defends military relations with Cambodia

Sunday, July 18, 2010
AFP

PHNOM PENH — A senior US diplomat on Sunday defended relations with allegedly abusive Cambodian military units as he concluded a two-day visit to the capital Phnom Penh.

William Burns, US Under-Secretary of State for political affairs, said military aid from the United States to Cambodia was intended to boost a civil-military relationship that was essential to a "healthy political system".

"Any military relationship that we conduct around the world is consistent with US law. So we look very carefully and vet very carefully the participants from Cambodia, from other countries," Burns told a press conference.

He spoke as Cambodia conducted its first ever large-scale international peacekeeping exercise, co-sponsored by the US Army, on the grounds of a military unit accused of being involved in illegal landgrabs.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said last week it was "outrageous" that Cambodia's ACO Tank Unit was hosting 700 military personnel from 23 countries in the "Angkor Sentinel" exercise.

The rights group said the US State Department and human rights organisations have documented soldiers of the unit using armoured vehicles to seize land from Cambodian villagers and farmers.

Burns made his trip while a Cambodian opposition politician faced an arrest warrant after controversial defamation proceedings.

Mu Sochua of the Sam Rainsy Party faces jail for refusing to pay 4,000 dollars in fines and compensation on a conviction last year for defaming premier Hun Sen when she announced plans to sue him for allegedly insulting her.

Burns, who met with Hun Sen and other government and opposition officials during his visit, said he spoke "about the importance of freedom of expression".

"It's very important to very carefully to weigh importance of issues like defamation suits... often times the kind of criticism that goes on is best in the political arena rather than the judicial system," he said.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said last week that defamation proceedings against Sochua illustrated the "alarming erosion" of Cambodia's free speech and judicial independence.