US embassy to work with Cambodia in Wikileaks case

03 Dec 2010
By Leang Delux
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by M'riel M'riel
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Carol Rodley, the US ambassador to Cambodia, met with Khieu Kanharith, the government spokesman and minister of Information, to discuss the guarantee that the relationship between the US and Cambodia will not be disrupted by the bitter Wikileaks affair. Wikileaks published several tens of thousands pages of diplomatic cables, most of which are US secret documents regarding foreign affairs involving politics, US government actions in the Afghanistan war, and discussions held between US leaders with its friendly governments.

Tens of thousands of pages of military secrets from the US Defense Department, diplomatic secrets showing the communication between US diplomats and the US State Department popped up on the Wikileaks website during the past week. Secret documents on the Afghanistan war are also part of the Wikileaks publication.

In the past few days, a number of local newspapers reported that the revelation of secret US documents by Wikileaks will also include a number of reports issued by the US embassy in Cambodia. Following this revelation, a meeting was set up between Carol Rodley and Khieu Kanharith in the morning of 03 December 2010. Discussions between the two high-ranking officials focused on the guarantee of the maintenance of good relationship between the US and Cambodia in front of the Wikileaks’ threat to reveal secret documents.

Khieu Kanharith told RFI that the US government considers the revelation of its secret documents as a crime and the US is preparing a legal court case for this affair. According to Khieu Kanharith, Carol Rodley told him that the US is always prepared to work with [Cambodian] government officials in the event Wikileaks publish secret documents involving Cambodia. Khieu Kanharith said that he welcomes the US’ preparation in view of the Wikileaks revelations that could strain the relationship between Washington and Phnom Penh.

U.S. pleased with Cambodian cooperation, looks to expand in agriculture

July 18, 2010
Xinhua

The United States is pleased with Cambodian cooperation and is looking to expand cooperation with Cambodia in the field of agriculture, Cambodian government spokesman said on Saturday.

Ieng Sophalleth, spokesman for Prime Minister Hun Sen, told reporters during the meeting between Prime Minister Hun Sen and visiting U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William J. Burns, that Burns said "United States of America is pleased with Cambodian cooperation and hopes the two countries will enhance their cooperation in other sectors, mainly in the field of agriculture."

In response, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that "Cambodia is pleased with U.S. cooperation through assistance to fight terrorism as well as for the development of Cambodian human resources", according to Ieng Sophalleth.

However, the spokesman did not provide details concerning U.S. expanding in agriculture cooperation with Cambodia.

Meanwhile, Hun sen said during the meeting that the two countries have more potential that can be expanded for more cooperation in the future.

On Sunday July 18, Burns, who arrived here on Saturday morning will attend a ceremony at the national museum of Cambodia honoring the repatriation of Cambodia antiquities by the U.S. government. He will leave Phnom Penh on Sunday.

US, Cambodia To Have Defense Attachés

By Taing Sarada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
04 March 2009

Cambodia and the US have agreed to establish military attachés in their respective embassies, officials say, in a move that further enhances cooperation between the two countries.

“A military attaché between Cambodia and the US is a very good sign, in order to have better cooperation and confidence in each other, Kouy Koung, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told VOA Khmer.

Mutual defense attachés have not existed between the two since the 1970s.

The agreement was made in January, to strengthen Cambodia’s military capacity to combat crime, such as drug trafficking and production, human trafficking and terrorism, Kouy Koung said.

Cambodian Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh told VOA Khmer by phone that the reemergence of a defense attaché established a relationship “like countries around the world.”

The US has provided equipment and training to Cambodia since 2006, and will assist in the future with equipment, training and courses in English for the military, US Embassy spokesman John Johnson said.

The US gave 31 trucks to the Defense Ministry last year, along with $7 million in military aid.

An opposition lawmaker said the addition of defense attaché to the missions of each country would improve Cambodia’s currently “unprofessional” defense force.

Cambodia has also enjoyed improving military relationships with Vietnam and China.

[Cambodian] Government Welcomes New US President

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
05 November 2008

Click here to listen to the Khmer audio program

Officials from Cambodia’s key ministries welcomed the election of Barack Obama as US president Wednesday, saying they were optimistic his administration would continue the good relations that have grown between the countries in recent years.

“In the past, we have had a good relationship with the US government, regarding counterterrorism, also with the FBI, CIA and [Drug Enforcement Agency], so we hope that with [Obama] the relationship will not change,” said Lt. Gen. Sok Phal, deputy chief of national police. “Cambodia has prepared already everything for the US government about terrorism and the proof of terrorism.”

Cambodia has proven a strong US ally in its regional war on terror, benefiting from military and law enforcement aid and training as a result.

Meanwhile, trade to the US has grown considerably, a trend officials said they hoped would continue.

“Every year, trade cooperation between the two countries has developed more and more,” said Kem Sithan, secretary of state for the Ministry of Commerce.

In 2008, Cambodia exported $3 billion in garments and agricultural products to the US, up from around $300 million in 2003, he said.

“I hope the next US president will not change this and that we will develop even more cooperation between Cambodia and the US,” he said.

Even though exports are growing, the next US administration should encourage even more trade, said Koy Koung, undersecretary of state for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The relationship between the two countries will not change, “because in recent years we have already built a relationship with the US, so either one of the candidates for US president would not change that.”

U.S. striving to improve ties with Cambodia [-It all boils down to: Oil! Oil! Oil!]

Monday, October 22, 2007
By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Honolulu Advertiser (Hawaii, USA)

LON NOL SAGA
Deposed former Cambodia leader Lon Nol bought a home in Hawai'i Kai following his ouster in 1975.

PHNOM PENH — The U.S. has improved its relations with Cambodia and increased assistance as the country and its growing economy become more strategically important in Southeast Asia.

Chevron's recent discovery of offshore oil and gas deposits, and concern about China's rising influence in the region, are among many factors that contribute to U.S. policy here.

Cambodia's location between fast-growing Thailand and Vietnam, and its natural resources and potential for growth, could make it an important ally.

"We believe the extractive industries — gas, oil and mining — have a huge potential in Cambodia," said U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires Piper Campbell. "But there is concern about how those resources will be managed."

The U.S. is encouraged by recent dialogue about cracking down on corruption, but is awaiting solid results, she said.

"We are engaged in a fruitful discussion with the government regarding corruption and anti-corruption legislation," she said. "We are very encouraged by what the government has said."

The U.S. expects to provide more than $65 million this year for a wide range of programs aimed at improving education and public health, preventing corruption, and managing natural resources.

In February, the guided missile frigate USS Gary became the first United States warship to visit Cambodia in more than 30 years.

In August, Hawai'i-based Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, met with Cambodian defense minister Tea Banh here and offered to provide military training and other assistance meant to prevent the country from becoming a haven for international terrorists.

The U.S. had ended military assistance after a 1997 coup, in which current Prime Minister Hun Sen ousted his co-premier, Prince Norodom Ranariddh.

Cambodia's navy is now expanding to better secure the coastline and protect offshore drilling sites. Cambodia and Thailand have contesting claims to some potentially lucrative oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Thailand.

The U.S. recently established its first-ever contingent of Peace Corps Volunteers here.

"Cambodia is a country that is rich with hope and talent," U.S. Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli said during a swearing-in ceremony for the volunteers in April. "Cambodia is a country with a nightmare past and a future of bright dreams. Cambodia is a country that was once isolated and is now eagerly embracing the world community."

More than $30 million from the U.S. Agency for International Development will pay for health and education programs and infrastructure this year.

The money will help promote a variety of activities meant to reduce the transmission and impact of HIV/AIDS, and control major infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.

U.S. Pacific Command has pledged nearly $2.4 million to build and repair schools and medical clinics, and distribute mosquito nets in impoverished rural provinces.

Advertiser Staff Writer Johnny Brannon is traveling in Southeast Asia as a Jefferson Fellow with Honolulu's East-West Center.

Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Seng Theary: Improving relations between Washington and Phnom Penh was an answer to China's superpower influence in Asia

Hun Sen Praises US-Cambodia Relations

Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
03 October 2007

Prime Minister Hun Sen Wednesday praised the strengthening relationship between Cambodia and the US, including the high number of garment exports to lucrative US markets, direct US aid, military aid and cooperation on counterterrorism.

"America's market absorbs a lot of goods from Cambodia," Hun Sen said to reporters in Phnom Penh.

"The US has provided military aid to Cambodia," he said. "Cambodia and the US are the most important partner in fighting against terrorism, and the US helped Cambodian soldiers participate in a military exercises within the UN framework, in Mongolia."

The US cut off direct aid to Cambodia after Hun Sen seized power in a 1997 coup d'etat. Aid resumed earlier this year, and relations have warmed.

But Hun Sen told reporters the bilateral relationship was not "up to the level both countries deserve."

US Embassy spokesman Jeff Daigle said the US was happy to see better relations.

Seng Theary, executive director of the Center for Social Development, said the improving relations between Washington and Phnom Penh was an answer to China's superpower influence in Asia.

China is widely seen to have expanding interest in the developing world, including Cambodia.

Cambodia needs the US market, despite having a market like China for its goods, opposition lawmaker Son Chhay said.

"We cannot depend on trade with China," he said. "We must strengthen good governance and fight corruption."