If the US does not care about human rights issues in Cambodia as Tea Banh claimed, why would Hor 5 Hong has to approach Hillary Clinton on this issue?

Mu Sochua, Dr. Pung Chiv Kek and Moeun Tola giving their testimonies to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (Photo: SRP North America)

Hor 5 Hong plans to meet Hillary Clinton

23 September 2009
By Leng Maly Radio Free Asia Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy Click here to read the article in Khmer

The spokesman for the ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAIC) indicated that Hor 5 Hong, the Cambodian vice-PM and minister of Foreign Affairs, plans to meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton soon, during his trip the US to participate in the UN General Assembly meeting on 22 September 2009.

Regarding the planned upcoming meeting between Hor 5 Hong and Hillary Clinton, Koy Kuong, MFAIC spokesman, declared: “His Excellency the vice will hold a bilateral meeting with a number of ministers of Foreign Affairs, including Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State.”

Koy Kuong indicated also that in the meeting with Clinton, Hor 5 Hong will discuss the the US-Cambodian relationships issue, as well as the recent criticisms on human rights violations in Cambodia leveled by NGOs and the opposition party.

Koy Kuong said: “First, he will talk about the relationship, and the bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and the US. Second, regarding the 3 opposition persons who declared to the US Congress [Tom Lantos] Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) on 10 September that there is a restriction on the freedom of expression in Cambodia, it is completely opposite to what these people tell the foreign government.”

Recently, human rights issues in Cambodia was the topic of a hearing held by the US Congress’ TLHRC, an institution which reviews human rights conditions in the world. Dr. Pung Chiv Kek of the Licadho human rights group, Moeun Tola of the Community Legal Education Center (CLEC), and SRP MP Mu Sochua gave their testimonies to this commission.

Oeur Sam Ol, the deputy cabinet chief of the SRP, indicated that Mrs. Mu Sochua plans to return to Cambodia on 25 September 2009. “It was for the 24, by right now she has to go to San Francisco, and she will be back in Phnom Penh on the 25th.”

Koy Kuong said that Hor 5 Hong will comment on the criticisms leveled by Mrs. Mu Sochua regarding the human rights violations to Hillary Clinton.

Cambodian FM, U.S. Secretary of State to meet at NY for deepening bilateral ties

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong said on Tuesday that he plans to meet with his American counterpart Hillary Clinton in New York during his stay there.

"So far, both sides have plan to meet to strengthen the bilateral cooperation and relationship between the two countries during I stay there to join the UN General Assembly late this month," Hor told reporters at his ministry after signing agreements with the U.S. to receive over 34 million U.S. dollars assistance for health and education improvement.

"I and my American counterpart are busy at the U.N. General Assembly but both sides plan to seek appropriate time for talking to deepen the bilateral relationship," he said, adding that "I have just talked with U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia (Carol A. Rodley) briefing about the time of the bilateral talks."

Hor Namhong said he plans to leave Cambodia on September 22 for New York to join the U.N. General Assembly.

Since 1999, the U.S. has provided over 250 million U.S. dollars for health and education system improvement in Cambodia. "We highly appreciated with the assistance from the U.S.," he added.

"The bilateral relationship between the two countries are getting better and better and moving forwards," Hor Namhong said, citing that "the U.S. sent their Peace Corps to help local Cambodians, lifted Cambodia from trade blacklist and provided military assistance to Cambodian armed forces." Last week, the U.S. offered over 6.5 million U.S. dollars worth of military equipment and technical assistance to Cambodian Royal Armed Forces.