Sam Rainsy meets U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Burns

Jen Psaki

Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing

Washington, DC

October 16, 2013

QUESTION: Do you have anything on Cambodia, on the – Deputy Secretary Burns --

MS. PSAKI: Sure. I do.
QUESTION: Okay.
MS. PSAKI: I don’t – I think this is happening later this afternoon, but today Deputy Secretary Burns will meet with Sam Rainsy, president of the Cambodian National Rescue Party. Their meeting will include a discussion on the ongoing dispute over results of the Cambodian election. The United States continues to urge both parties to seek resolution of electoral disputes through peaceful dialogue that serves the best interests of the Cambodian people and promotes reforms. We also strongly support an open and democratic process and do not support one political party or candidate over another, and meetings of this kind with political party leaders do not signify an endorsement. We’re looking forward to listening and hearing more about what’s happening on the ground.
QUESTION: So the U.S. still supports his demand for some kind of a independent inquiry into the election?
MS. PSAKI: Well, independent observers have noted serious election irregularities. We do believe and continue to believe that a credible and transparent review of the election would help efforts moving forward.
QUESTION: Did Sam Rainsy ask for this meeting, or was it a meeting at the request of the State Department?
MS. PSAKI: That’s a good question. I’ll check on it and see if there’s more specifics on that.
QUESTION: Has he been before? I just wondered if --
MS. PSAKI: Has he been here before?
QUESTION: Has he been here before? Yeah.
MS. PSAKI: I will check. I’m not sure off the top of my head.

 

U.S. State Department video: http://bcove.me/tsssnk61