Clinton Meets With Asean States Ahead of Regional Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGJCPt4KVX4

Clinton Discusses Bilateral, Regional Issues with Cambodian PM

2012-07-11
Xinhua

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen here on Wednesday evening, discussing bilateral ties and regional issues.

During the one-hour meeting at the Peace Palace, Clinton highly evaluated good cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodia and emphasized that the two countries have much room to grow in terms of trade and investment, according to Eang Sophallet, spokesman for Hun Sen.

The U.S. is satisfied with the security cooperation with Cambodia and wishes to see further expansion in this cooperation, Clinton said.

Hillary arrives in Cambodia for ASEAN meetings

PHNOM PENH, July 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, on Wednesday afternoon to attend the 19th ASEAN Regional Forum and related meetings.

As scheduled, the Secretary of State will attend the ASEAN-U.S. Ministerial Meeting, the 19th ASEAN Regional Forum, and related meetings.

She will also meet with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace.

In addition, she is scheduled to participate in the ASEAN-U.S. Business Forum in Siem Reap province on Friday afternoon. The forum, presided over by Hun Sen, will also be attended by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Siem Reap, situated at some 315 kilometers northwest of Phnom Penh, is the country's largest cultural tourism destination. It houses the Angkor Wat Temples, one of the World Heritage Sites.

Clinton visit sparks hope

Hillary Clinton addresses a delegation in Cambodia. Photograph: Sovan Philong/Phnom Penh Post

Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Shane Worrell and Khouth Sophak Chakrya
The Phnom Penh Post

“[Clinton] speaks, she demands, she stands up, she delivers, she commands respect for her words, for her actions. Even women in Boeung Kak lake and Borei Keila know that.”

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Phnom Penh today for diplomatic and business talks with China and ASEAN’s 10 member states, but rights groups and opposition parties are counting on the state of human rights in Cambodia to be a top priority as well.

Clinton is scheduled to attend three ASEAN meetings at the Peace Palace, including the Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, as part of an eight-country trip that has included Vietnam, Laos and Mongolia.

On the first leg of her journey, America’s most senior diplomat has exhibited a willingness to bring human-rights issues to the fore.

“The heart of our strategy, the piece that brings everything together, is our support for democracy and human rights,” Clinton said in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, on Monday.

“The United States wants to be a strong partner to all those who are dedicated to human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

U.S. Secretary of State to Visit Cambodia for Meetings

2012-07-10
Xinhua

The U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will arrive in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, on Wednesday afternoon to attend the 19th ASEAN Regional Forum and related meetings, said a press release from the U.S. Embassy here on Tuesday.

As scheduled, besides attending ASEAN meetings in Phnom Penh, Clinton will participate in the ASEAN-U.S. Business Forum in Siem Reap province on Friday afternoon.

As Cambodia Courts US Business, Old Problems Remain

Thursday, 05 July 2012
Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer | Washington, DC

"When laws are firm, investors have confidence.”

As a delegation of US business owners prepares to travel to Cambodia with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, analysts say they will be tough to court, given Cambodia’s lack of law enforcement.

“Investors don’t bring guns, they don’t bring bodyguards—they bring money to invest,” said Sok Touch dean of Khemarak University in Phnom Penh. “So what protects them is not guns, not nuclear weapons, but laws. When laws are firm, investors have confidence.”

Cambodia’s economy continues to grow, with an estimated rate of about 6.5 percent forecast for this year. Per capita incomes have improved, to about $1,000 per year. But there are few prospects for new jobs, leading perhaps 200,000 people to seek work in neighboring countries. The idea, Sok Touch said, is to have more jobs stay in the country.

“Vietnam is a communist country, so why has the US put IT construction and automobile construction in Vietnam?” he said. “First, stability, and second, rule of law.”

Cambodia must also move away from short-term investment in its future, such as the sale of gold mines to Chinese companies, or the leasing of islands for real estate development. Such investors leave quickly and leave little in the country, he said.

Clinton to make landmark visit to Laos

Hillary Clinton, seen here in June 2012, will become the first US Secretary of State to visit Laos in 57 years as part of an eight-nation tour of the Middle East and Asia

05 July 2012
By Jo Biddle | AFP

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is to become the first top US diplomat to visit communist-run Laos in 57 years, as part of an eight-nation tour that will also take her to Egypt and Israel.

"Clinton will travel to France, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Egypt and Israel departing Washington, DC on July 5," said a statement from State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland released on her departure.

The landmark Laos visit comes after she was officially invited by counterpart Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in 2010 when he made the first visit by a top Laotian official to Washington since Soviet-backed communist rebels swept to power and replaced the monarchy in 1975.

Japan's Crown Prince Starts First Official Visit to Cambodia

2012-06-27
Xinhua

Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito arrived here on Wednesday morning for a 3-day official visit to boost bilateral ties.

At the Phnom Penh International Airport, the Crown Prince was warmly greeted by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Royal Palace Kong Sam Ol and other senior government officials.

During the stay, Naruhito will be received in royal audience by the King Norodom Sihamoni and meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen, according to a press release from Cambodia's foreign ministry.

Clinton to visit S.Korea, Japan, Cambodia

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (left)

06-12-2012
AFP

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit South Korea as part of an Asian trip next month to discuss North Korea and visit an international exhibition, according to a news report.

Around July 4 Clinton will visit the US Pavilion at the Yeosu Expo now underway in the southeastern coastal city, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said, quoting diplomatic sources in Washington.

A South Korean foreign ministry spokesman said he had no information.

She will also hold talks with South Korean officials in Seoul focusing on North Korea's nuclear programme and the situation on the Korean peninsula, Yonhap said.

Clinton's last visit to South Korea was in November last year when she took part in an international aid conference in the southern coastal city of Busan.

Her Asian swing will also take her to Japan and Cambodia, the news agency said.

Japanese crown prince to visit Cambodia

Crown prince to visit 3 S.E. Asian nations

Jun. 6, 2012
Jiji Press

Crown Prince Naruhito will leave for a weeklong tour of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos on June 25.

The schedule was reported Tuesday to a Cabinet meeting.

The crown prince last visited Thailand in 1994. He has never visited Cambodia or Laos.

His first destination is Bangkok, and he will return home after visiting five cities, including Laos' capital Vientiane.

During the tour, the crown prince is scheduled to meet leaders of the three countries. In Cambodia, he will visit Angkor Wat.

U.S. Federal Judge to Visit Cambodia Next Week

2012-06-01
Xinhua

Judge James A. Wynn, Jr. of the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit will visit Cambodia from June 4-8 for lectures, according to a press release from the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh on Friday.

The visit is a part of the U.S. Speakers Series sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs, it said.

Judge Wynn will deliver several presentations on judicial independence and other elements of the law to judges, lawyers, clerks, journalists, law students at various private universities, and non-governmental organizations.

Also, he will join a seminar on rules for legal interpretation at the state-owned Royal Academy for Judicial Professions.

Obama visit on track [-In Dictator Hun Xen the US trust???]

"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. EVEN if you are NOT willing to unclench your fist." - Obama's inaugural speech

Obama shaking hand with Cambodia's Dictator Hun Xen

Monday, 28 May 2012
Kristin Lynch
The Phnom Penh Post

Another senior United States official has said that President Barack Obama will visit Cambodia in November for the East Asia Summit and the US-ASEAN summit.

Sean McIntosh, spokesman for the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, told the Post yesterday that US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell “communicated his expectations that President Obama would be here in November” during a closed-door meeting with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Friday.

However, the embassy has not yet received official word from the White House, McIntosh added.

ការ​ប្រកាន់​ នយោបាយ ​ផ្កាប់មុខ​ ទៅរក​ម្ខាងៗ ​មិន​មែន ​ជា​នយោបាយ​ ដ៏​ឆ្លាត​វៃ​នោះ​ឡើយ - Unbalanced relationship is not a smart move!

កម្ពុជា-ចិន ទំនាក់ទំនង​ដល់​កម្រិត​កំពូល​មួយ

សៅរ៍ 31 មីនា 2012
ដោយ ប៉ែន បូណា
RFI

នៅ​ពេល​ដែល​ចិន​និង​ សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក​កំពុង​ដណ្តើម​ឥទ្ធិពល​គ្នា​នៅ​ក្នុង​តំបន់​អាស៊ី​ប៉ាស៊ីហ្វិក ​និយាយ​ជារួម​ និង​តំបន់​អាស៊ី​ប៉ែក​អាគ្នេយ៍​និយាយ​ដោយ​ឡែក​ ទីក្រុង​ប៉េកាំង​ត្រូវ​ការ​ចាំបាច់​សម្ពន្ធ័មិត្ត​ជិត​ស្និទ្ធ​ដូច​ជា​ កម្ពុជា ​ខណៈ​ដែល​សមាជិក​អាស៊ាន​មួយចំនួន​ជាពិសេស​វៀតណាម​ និង​ហ្វីលីពីន​ជាដើម​មាន​និន្នាការ​ទៅរក​សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក។​ ដូច្នេះ ​ ការ​ធ្វើ​ឲ្យ​មាន​តុល្យភាព​នៃ​ឥទ្ធិពល​មហា​អំណាច​នៅ​ក្នុង​តំបន់​គឺជា​រឿង​ សំខាន់​មួយ។ ​ប៉ុន្តែ​គេគួរ​ចងចាំ​ថា​ ការ​ប្រកាន់​នយោបាយ​ផ្កាប់មុខ​ទៅរក​ម្ខាងៗ​មិន​មែន​ជា​នយោបាយ​ដ៏​ឆ្លាត​វៃ​ នោះ​ឡើយ។

លោក ​ហ៊ូ ជិនតាវ​ ( Hu Jintao )​ ប្រធានាធិបតី​ចិន​កំពុងតែ​បំពេញ​ទស្សនកិច្ច​ជា​ផ្លូវការ​រយៈពេល​៤​ថ្ងៃ​នៅ​កម្ពុជា​ ចាប់ពី​ថ្ងៃទី​៣០​ខែ​មីនា ​ដល់​ថ្ងៃទី​២ ​ខែ​មេសា ​ឆ្នាំ​២០១២​នេះ​។​វត្តមាន​ជាលើក​ទី១​របស់​មេដឹកនាំ​កំពូល​បំផុត​នៃ​មហាយក្ស​ចិន​លើ​ទឹកដី​កម្ពុជា​ក្នុង​អំឡុង​ពេល​ជាង​មួយ​ទសវត្សរ៍​ចុង​ក្រោយ​នេះ​បាន​កើត​ឡើង​ជួន​ចំ​ពេល​ដែល​កម្ពុជា​កំពុង​តែ​រៀបចំ​ជំនួប​កំពូល​អាស៊ាន​ក្នុង​ឋានៈ​ជា​ប្រធាន​ប្តូរវេន​នៃ​សមាគម​ប្រជាជាតិ​អាស៊ី​ប៉ែក​អាគ្នេយ៍។​ ទស្សនកិច្ច​​នេះ​ត្រូវ​គេ​មើល​ឃើញ​ថា ​បាន​ផ្តល់​រូបភាព​នៃ​ទំនាក់ទំនង​កម្រិត​កំពូល​មួយ​រវាង​ទីក្រុង​ប៉េកាំង​ និង​ភ្នំពេញ​ដែល​មេដឹកនាំ​ទាំងពីរ​តែង​ចង់​បាន។

ចិន​និង​កម្ពុជា​បាន​និង​កំពុង​ពូន​ជ្រំចំណង​ទាក់ទង​របស់​ខ្លួន​ឲ្យ​ឈាន​ដល់​កម្រិត​កំពូល​មួយ។​ នេះ​ជា​ពាក្យ​ដែល​គេ​ធ្លាប់​បាន​លឺ​ជាញឹកញាប់​ចេញ​ពី​បបូរ​មាត់​របស់​មេដឹកនាំ​ប្រទេស​ទាំងពីរ។ ក្តី​ប្រាថ្នា​នេះ​ហាក់​បាន​សម្រេច​ហើយ​តាម​រយៈ​ដំណើរ​ទស្សនកិច្ច​នៅ​កម្ពុជា​របស់​មេដឹកនាំ​កំពូល​បំផុត​នៃ​ទីក្រុង​ប៉េកាំង ​គឺ​លោក​ប្រធានាធិបតី​ ហ៊ូ ជិនតាវ។

Chinese president starts visit to Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived here Friday for a state visit aimed at enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Cambodia.

Hu was warmly greeted at the airport by Prince Ranariddh, chief adviser to the Privy Council, Princess Buppha Devi and Prince Chivanmonirak on behalf of King Norodom Sihamoni.

In a statement released at the airport, Hu said he was delighted to visit the country at the king's invitation.

He lauded the China-Cambodia friendly relationship as a good example of equality and sincere cooperation between countries, adding it served the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people, and also contributed to the stability and prosperity of the region.

Sea Clashes Loom Over Southeast Asia Summit

March 29, 2012
By JAMES HOOKWAY
The Wall Street Jorunal

Tiny Cambodia is emerging as a key pawn in the diplomatic struggle over one of the world's busiest stretches of water: the potentially energy-rich South China Sea.

The country of 15 million people is this year hosting a series of regional summits in which China's claims to the waters could loom large. Its sea tussles with countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines has raised security fears in an already jittery region. The U.S. has further angered China by saying it wants to keep the South China Sea, which carries around half the world's total trade, free and open to navigation.

Ahead of a summit by leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations next week. China's President Hu Jintao is embarking on his own four-day state visit to Cambodia Friday in what some analysts interpret as a not-so-subtle reminder of where the host nation's sympathies should lie, and a ploy to encourage Cambodia to play down the South China Sea controversy wherever possible.

Chinese President Starts Visit to Cambodia

2012-03-30
Xinhua

Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Phnom Penh on Friday for a state visit aimed at enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Cambodia.

Hu was warmly greeted at the airport by Prince Ranariddh, chief adviser to the Privy Council, Princess Buppha Devi and Prince Chivanmonirak on behalf of King Norodom Sihamoni.

In a statement released at the airport, Hu said he was delighted to visit the country at the king's invitation.

He lauded the China-Cambodia friendly relationship as a good example of equality and sincere cooperation between countries, adding it served the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people, and also contributed to the stability and prosperity of the region.

Asean meet tests China's clout

Workers prepare flags for display in central Phnom Penh on March 29, 2012.

Friday, Mar 30, 2012
Reuters

"We are not expecting any support from them," a Philippine foreign-ministry official told Reuters, referring to Cambodia and fellow "Mekong" countries Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, which have also been reluctant to raise the issue.

China's presence in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, is obvious. The city skyline is dotted with Chinese-funded projects.

But the full extent of Beijing's influence there will be tested when Chinese President Hu Jintao visits this week, ahead of a regional summit.

The timing of Mr Hu's visit has raised suspicion that Beijing may pressure Cambodia to curb discussions at a South-east Asian leaders' summit on the vexed question of the South China Sea.

Phnom Penh has already said the issue is off the agenda.

"They have the money, so they have the power," said Mr Sem On, a motorbike-taxi driver sitting on a railing near the second Chroy Changvar bridge, funded by US$27.5 million (S$35 million) in Chinese soft loans.

China’s Hu Visits Cambodia as Asean Leaders Eye Sea Disputes

Mar 29, 2012
By Daniel Ten Kate
Bloomberg

President Hu Jintao today becomes the first Chinese head of state to visit Cambodia in 12 years, in a trip days before Southeast Asian leaders gather for talks that may touch on territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Hu’s visit, which lasts until April 2, will deepen ties between Cambodia and China, its largest investor, the official Xinhua news agency reported March 27, citing the country’s ambassador in Phnom Penh, the capital. China appreciates Cambodia’s support on core interests, the report said, adding that China opposes outside interference on the South China Sea.

“Cambodians will not want to upset the Chinese by pushing the South China Sea on the agenda of the Asean meeting,” said Ian Storey, a senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asia Studies in Singapore. In the past two years, previous hosts Vietnam and Indonesia “really pushed the issue, so that momentum will slow under a Cambodian chairmanship,” he said.

Vietnam and the Philippines have pushed the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to take a common position regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where Exxon Mobil Corp. and Talisman Energy Inc. (TLM) are searching for oil and gas. Cambodia holds the bloc’s rotating chairmanship.

Hu Jintao's Upcoming Visit in Cambodia to Boost Ties [... and to put more pressure on Hun Xen?]

2012-03-25
Xinhua

The upcoming visit of Chinese president Hu Jintao to Cambodia next week will build closer ties between the two countries, China and ASEAN as the visit is coincided with the 20th ASEAN Summit, said a senior official Sunday.

The visit will also create more confidence among foreign investors in Cambodia's political and economic stability, said Khieu Kanharith, Cambodian Minister of Information and Government Spokesman, in an exclusive interview with Chinese media.

Hu Jintao is scheduled to pay a four-day state visit to Cambodia from March 30 to April 2 at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, according to a press release from Cambodia's Foreign Ministry.

"We are very pleased to welcome his first visit to Cambodia. The visit will reflect the spirit of mutual understanding, respect and cooperation," he said.

Hu Jintao due on ASEAN eve

Chinese President Hu Jintao waves after arriving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham for the APEC summit in Honolulu, Hawaii in November of last year. Hu will visit Cambodia later this month. Photo by Reuters

Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post

Chinese President Hu Jintao will arrive in Phnom Penh for an official visit just days before Cambodia hosts the ASEAN Summit, a government statement released yesterday says.

Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing will arrive in Cambodia on March 30 and leave on April 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement says.

During that time, the couple will meet with King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen, Senate president Chea Sim and National Assembly president Heng Samrin.

They will also visit Angkor Wat, in Siem Reap province.