US congressman raises Cambodia's war debt with Clinton

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, talks with U.S. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, left, during a meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 7, 2010. Faleomavaega will oversee the hearing. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Radio Australia News

A congressman in American Samoa, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, has used a meeting with the US Secretary of State to raise concerns about Cambodia's outstanding war debt.

He spoke to Hillary Clinton on Monday night, while her plane was refuelling in the capital Pago Pago, at the end of a seven nation Asia-Pacific tour.

Cambodia owes the US some $US300 million dollars, plus fees, in debt incurred during the Lon Nol regime of the 1970s.

However, the current Prime Minister Hun Sen says they should not have to pay back money borrowed by the pre-Khmer Rouge government.

Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin has been arguing that the US cannot forgive the debt unless at least a part of it is repaid.

Congressman Hunkin says he raised the point with Mrs Clinton, but says, he didn't get to go into as much depth as he would have like.

"I did mention to her about the situation in Cambodia, we've had this ongoing debt obligation that Cambodia has accumulated for some 30 years now but basically, we didn't have a chance to talk about all the issues," he said.

Cambodia has the ability to pay bombs dropped by the US over Cambodia: US State Dept.

State Department says Cambodia has ability to pay off US debt

Sep 30, 2010
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The State Department says that cancelling Cambodia's debt would set a bad example because the impoverished country has the ability to pay what it owes the United States.

Joseph Yun, a deputy assistant secretary of state, said Thursday at a congressional hearing that even as Cambodia has accumulated debt with the United States, it has paid off other creditors on time.

Yun says the debt stems from low-interest loans in the 1970s for U.S. agricultural commodities. He says it was about $445 million by the end of 2009.

Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, chairman of the House of Representatives Asia subcommittee, says other countries have cancelled debt for Cambodia, while the United States insists on "squeezing this little, least developed country."

Eni Faleomavaega to the rescue of Hun Xen ... yet again

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, talks with U.S. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, left, during a meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 7, 2010. Faleomavaega will oversee the hearing. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

US Subcommittee To Hold Hearing on Old Debt

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington, D.C Thursday, 30 September 2010

KI-Media Note: Who's Congressman Eni Faleomavaega?

1. During his visit to Cambodia with two other US congressmen in January 2009, Rep. Faleomavaega joined the CPP to celebrate the 07 January event while the other 2 congressmen chose to visit Choeung Ek memorial instead.
2. Following the Tom Lantos hearing for Mrs. Mu Sochua and other Cambodian human rights activists, Rep. Faleomavaega issued a scathing remark against the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on Cambodia in 2009. He indicated that "I do not believe that holding a hearing that gives voice to the opposition party and excludes the ruling party is the way for us to proceed in affecting change in Cambodia." The congressman was in fact echoing a sentiment held by the ruling CPP.

Need we say more?

A US House of Representatives subcommittee is scheduled to discuss Cambodia's war-era debt on Thursday.

Cambodia has repeatedly sought the elimination of $300 million in debt from the Lon Nol era, without success. Prime Minister Hun Sen called it a “dirty” debt that should not be repaid.

The Foreign Affairs Committee's Asia, Pacific and Global Environment Subcommittee will discuss the debt Thursday, according to the committee's website.

According to a position paper to be given by Cambodia at the hearing, the government is seeking a wave of the debt due to a “multitude of challenges and constraints facing the country after the adverse impacts of the global economic and food crisis.”

“We seek the understanding and goodwill of the honorable members of the Congress, the US administration, and the people of the USA in granting a favorable consideration of our request for the cancellation of the related debts,” according to a copy of the paper.

Eni Faleomavaega, a Democrat from American Samoa and chairman of the subcommittee, will oversee the hearing. Joseph Yun, the State Department's deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, will be the witness.

US Congressional Delegation Discusses Trade

Left to right: Joseph Cao (R-LA), Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) and Mike Honda (D-CA) (Photo: Sok Serey, RFA)

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 January 2010

Prime Minister Hun Sen and three US congressmen discussed an extension of trade relations between the two countries on Thursday, while raising the possibility of debt reduction.

The congressmen—Eni Faleomavaega, a Democrat from American Samoa; Mike Honda, a Democratic from California; and Joseph Cao, a Republican from Louisiana—met with Hun Sen, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Finance Minister Keat Chhon and Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh

“We did touch on the issue of debt obligations, also on questions of trade and tariffs in trying to bring Cambodia’s trade and economic needs [and] better status especially in trade with the United States,” Faleomavaega told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport Thursday afternoon.

The US delegation is scheduled to travel to Laos, having already visited Vietnam. The tour will conclude in Japan.

Cambodia owes the US more than $300 million from the Lon Nol period, a debt Cambodian officials maintain should be erased. Faleomavaega said he told Hun Sen he would take the matter to discuss with other US lawmakers.

Debt forgiveness could help Cambodia, he said. Faleomavaega said he wanted to play a role in bettering the relationship between Cambodia and the US.

Eang Sophaleth, an adviser to Hun Sen, told reporters the premier had thanked the men for continued economic support from the US and was happy to promote a relationship between the two countries.

US caucus meets with PM

US Congressmen Eni Faleomavaega (left) and Mike Honda field questions Thursday during their three-day visit to Cambodia. (Photo by: Sovan Philong)

Friday, 08 January 2010
James O'Toole
The Phnom Penh Post

A VISITING delegation of three American congressmen met Thursday with Prime Minister Hun Sen, during which they offered encouragement for the Kingdom’s business community while also raising concerns over the government’s controversial deportation of a group of Chinese Uighur asylum-seekers last month.

Joseph Cao of Louisiana, Mike Honda of California and Eni Faleomavaega, a non-voting Congressional delegate from American Samoa, arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday after visiting Vietnam.

The discussion with Hun Sen, Faleomavaega said, focused largely on financial concerns. Cambodian garment manufacturers are currently seeking duty-free access to the United States, the largest market for Cambodian exports. Government officials, meanwhile, want the US to cancel US$300 million in debt accrued during the Lon Nol era.

Though the congressmen made no specific commitments, the three men – members of the US Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus – said they would advocate on Cambodia’s behalf when they returned to Washington.

“In studying the history of the debt, it seems like it’s something that we as a caucus can deal with in Congress ourselves,” Honda said during a press conference following the meeting.

The discussion with Hun Sen also touched briefly, Faleomavaega said, on Cambodia’s controversial deportation of the 20 Uighur Chinese back to China last month, where activists say the group may face arrest or persecution in connection with riots between Uighurs and ethnic Chinese last July.

“The feeling of the international community is that they will likely be executed if they were to return to China, and this has been our very serious concern,” Faleomavaega said.

The US State Department released a statement last month saying it was “deeply disturbed” by the incident, which came just days before Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and senior Cambodian officials signed 14 economic aid agreements totalling US$1.2 billion, adding that it would “affect Cambodia’s relationship with the US and its international standing”.

Cao questioned whether China had “imperialistic intents”, while Faleomavaega noted the country’s “tremendous influence” in the region, acknowledging questions about the timing of the aid package.

“I don’t know if this was a quid pro quo ... but a lot of people would take that as there seems to be a connection,” he said, adding that the Cambodian government deserved the chance to publicly explain its decision to the international community.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CHEANG SOKHA

Eni Faleomavaega: Purposely ignorant or really simpleminded?

From left to right: US Congressmen Joseph Cao, Eni Faleomaveaga and Mike Honda. Mr. Eni Faleomavaega was the only US congressman who celebrated 07 January, the day of Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia, with the CPP. The other two congressmen decided to pay a visit to the Choeung Ek killing field memorial instead. Mr. Faleomavaega claimed that he was only paying attention to the toppling of the Khmer Rouge regime. Could it be possible that the congressman from American Samoa be really simpleminded or was he ignorant on purpose to the fact that he was actually sharing the podium with former KR commanders? (Photo: Sok Serey, RFA)

One US Congressman joins the 07 January celebration

07 January 2009
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Komping Puoy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

One US congressman among three of them who concluded their short visit to Cambodia on 07 January, indicated that he decided to join the CPP’s commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the 07 January 1979 victory only to commemorate the toppling of the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime only (sic!).

The KR regime has been blamed by both the national and international community for the killing of almost 2 million Cambodians between 1975 and 1979 through torture, forced labor and starvation.

On Thursday, Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa), one of the three congressmen who just concluded his visit to Cambodia, said at a press conference held at the Phnom Penh International airport that: “What I pay attention to on 07 January is the toppling of the Pol Pot regime, following the cruel killing and torture of almost 2 million people. This action should not take place again against innocent people.”

Ouch Borith, secretary of state of the Cambodian ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was also present during the press conference, said: “It was the 2nd birthday for all of us. All our people have clearly indicated that they join this celebration to welcome the toppling of the genocidal Pol Pot Khmer Rouge regime.”

The presence of the US congressman at the 31st anniversary of the 07 January victory of the CPP takes place also on a day that a number of people consider as a day of Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia.

US Congressmen Mike Honda and Joseph Cao did not join the CPP celebration and they went to pay a visit to the Cheoung Ek killing field memorial on Thursday instead.

SRP spokesman and MP Yim Sovann indicated in reaction that: “They commemorate past history, however, they should also review the current situation also.”

Yim Sovann said: “Human rights violation, curtailing the people’s freedom rights, killing of journalists, jailing of victimized farmers who lost their lands, these are experiences that we must remember. He [Eni Faleomavaega] should help provide advice so that the violations above would not take place anymore in the Cambodian society.”

US Congressional Delegation Discusses Trade

Left to right: Joseph Cao, Eni Faleomavaega and Mike Honda (Photo: DAP)

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 January 2010

Prime Minister Hun Sen and three US congressmen discussed an extension of trade relations between the two countries on Thursday, while raising the possibility of debt reduction.

The congressmen—Eni Faleomavaega, a Democrat from American Samoa; Mike Honda, a Democratic from California; and Joseph Cao, a Republican from Louisiana—met with Hun Sen, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Finance Minister Keat Chhon and Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh

“We did touch on the issue of debt obligations, also on questions of trade and tariffs in trying to bring Cambodia’s trade and economic needs [and] better status especially in trade with the United States,” Faleomavaega told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport Thursday afternoon.

The US delegation is scheduled to travel to Laos, having already visited Vietnam. The tour will conclude in Japan.

Cambodia owes the US more than $300 million from the Lon Nol period, a debt Cambodian officials maintain should be erased. Faleomavaega said he told Hun Sen he would take the matter to discuss with other US lawmakers.

Debt forgiveness could help Cambodia, he said. Faleomavaega said he wanted to play a role in bettering the relationship between Cambodia and the US.

Eang Sophaleth, an adviser to Hun Sen, told reporters the premier had thanked the men for continued economic support from the US and was happy to promote a relationship between the two countries.

U.S. to consider turning Cambodia's debt into development aid

January 07, 2010
Xinhua

The United States Congressman Eni Faleomavaega told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday that he will discuss with his colleagues about Cambodia's debt if it can be turned into assistance for development projects in this country, a Cambodian official said.

Eang Sophaleth, Hun Sen's spokesman told local reporters that during the meeting with Hun Sen on Thursday morning in Phnom Penh, Eni Faleomavaega said he will discuss with his colleagues after returning to the United States about the debt.

Eni Faleomavaega, who was accompanied by his two Congressmen Joseph Cao and Mike Honda, was making a two-day visit to Cambodia.

Cambodia has several times asked the United States government to consider canceling its debt amounting to some 300 million U.S. dollars it borrowed since 1972.

The U.S. has not yet answered to Cambodia's request for the debt written-off.

Cheam Yeap, chairman of the National Assembly's Economic Commission and a senior member of the Cambodian People's Party said several countries including China have written off Cambodia's debts owed some decades ago.

Cambodia is also asking Russia to cancel its debt that amounts around to 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.

US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega rewarded by Hun Xen to attend the CPP's celebration for blasting the Tom Lantos Commisstion hearing?

US Congressman Eni Faleomaveaga (D-American Samoa) in front row can be seen attending the celebration of Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia. Mr. Faleomaveaga issued a scathing remark against the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on Cambodia in 2009. He indicated that "I do not believe that holding a hearing that gives voice to the opposition party and excludes the ruling party is the way for us to proceed in affecting change in Cambodia." The congressman was in fact echoing a sentiment held by the ruling CPP. (Photo: Khmer Sovanna)
Hun Xen and Bun Rany Hun Xen presiding over the celebration (Photo: Khmer Sovanna)
Cambodia's stooges (Photo: Khem Sovannara)

Official Denies Statements at US Rights Hearing

Ouch Borith: A master of "truth spinning"?

By Chun Sakada and Men Kimseng
Original reports from Phnom Penh and Washington
16 September 2009

A Foreign Affairs official dismissed as false statements made to US Congress by Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Mu Sochua, in a human rights hearing last week.

Mu Sochua’s description of a country where democracy was a “façade” was meant “only for cheating the Cambodian people,” said Uch Borith, a secretary of state for the ministry, told reporters at a press conference after meeting with US Ambassador Carol Rodley.

He also denied reports on a Web site called Khmer Intelligence KI-Media that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would send a delegation to investigate rights issues.

The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission invited three prominent Cambodians to testify on Thursday, after noting a worrying trend in the erosion of rights and freedoms in the media.

Mu Sochua and another opposition lawmaker had their parliamentary immunity revoked earlier this, as the courts pursued lawsuits against them by senior officials; and at least one opposition journalist is in jail after accusing senior officials of corruption.

Meanwhile, a US congressman said Cambodian government representatives should have been invited to the hearing last week should the US wish to see changes in Cambodia’s human rights record.

“I do not believe that holding a hearing that gives voice to the opposition party and excludes the ruling party is the way for us to proceed in affecting change in Cambodia,” Eni Faleomavaega, a Democrat from Samoa, said in a statement issued on the day of a hearing conducted by Tom Lantos Human Rights commission. “I also do not believe that any Commission should usurp the role of the US Department of State or the diplomatic relations we have established between our two countries.”