Cambodia Preps for Oil Agreement With Iran

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Friday, 06 August 2010

“We want Iranian companies to invest in Cambodia, boosting economic growth and development for poverty reduction.”

Cambodia is preparing a high-level delegation to visit Iran next week, where they expect to sign an agreement on petroleum cooperation, among others.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong told VOA Khmer Friday the petroleum agreement would allow Iranian oil experts to provide technical assitance to Cambodia.

The delegation will be led by Foreign Minisgter Hor Namhong and will include Ho Vichit, vice chairman of the National Petroleum Authority, a ministry statement said.

Cambodia expects to see oil flowing from offshore blocs in 2012, Koy Kuong said, and Iran is one of the largest producers of oil in the world.

The visit will improve diplomatic relations between the two countries, as well as promoting trade, tourism and investment, he said.

The trip, scheduled for Aug. 11 and Aug. 12, could also mean positive developments for Cambodia's Muslim community, said Sman Teath, a Muslim and deputy director of the National Assembly's finance committee.

Cambodia has a population of nearly half a million Muslims, many of whom remain in poverty after devastating treatment at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.

Sos Mos Sin, head of the Cambodian-Muslim Student Association, said the community needs trade and investment opportunities as well as humanitarian assistance from Iran.

“We want Iranian companies to invest in Cambodia, boosting economic growth and development for poverty reduction,” he said.

There are so far no plans for Iranian businesses to come here, Koy Kuong said.

Cambodia has had diplomatic relations with Iran since 1992, but it communicates with the country through its embassy in Hanoi.

Mohsen Kohkan, head of the Iran-Cambodia Parliamentary Friendship Group, who visited Cambodia in June, asked Cambodia to establish an Embassy in Iran. The Iranian Assembly has been encouraging its government to appoint an ambassador to Cambodia.

Cambodia to sign oil deal with Iran

Sat, 07 Aug 2010
Press TV (Iran)

Asked why Cambodia had chosen Iran for such agreements, he said, "We are a non-partisan country. We are friends with everyone in the world." [including rogue states?]

Officials from Cambodia will travel to Iran next week willing to sign agreements on cooperation in the oil sector, the foreign minister of the Southeast Asian state said on Friday.

Hor Namhong, who is to meet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his delegation's August 10-11 visit, gave no details on the agreements but told a press conference that Cambodia could benefit from Iranian expertise.

Koy Kuong, the undersecretary of state at the Cambodian Foreign Affairs Ministry, told Reuters the memorandums of understanding would involve the exchange of experience and knowledge on “petroleum cooperation” and Iran would also provide technical support for the Cambodian oil industry.

Kuong said it would be the first official Cambodian delegation to visit the Islamic Republic since diplomatic relations were established in 1992.

He added, “Iran could provide technical assistance, training courses and other experience to the Kingdom.”

Cambodia has attempted to build on its relationship with the Islamic Republic in recent months.

In May, two of Cambodia's lawmakers -- Try Chheang Huot and Chhith Kim Yath -- attended an Asian Parliamentary Assembly in the Iranian capital Tehran.

Asked why Cambodia had chosen Iran for such agreements, he said, "We are a non-partisan country. We are friends with everyone in the world."

Cambodia to sign cooperation deal with [Axis of Evil?] Iran on oil

PHNOM PENH Aug 6 (Reuters) - Officials from Cambodia are to travel to Iran next week and the two countries will sign agreements covering cooperation in the oil sector, the foreign minister of the Southeast Asian state said on Friday.

Hor Namhong, who will meet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during the delegation's visit on Aug. 10-11, declined to give details on the agreements but he told a news conference Cambodia could benefit from Iranian know-how.

Oil companies are operating off Cambodia but the country is not expected to produce its first oil until 2012.

Koy Kuong, undersecretary of state at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, told Reuters the agreements would involve the exchange of experience and knowledge, and Iran would also provide technical support for the Cambodian oil industry.

Asked why Cambodia had chosen Iran for such agreements, he said: "We are a non-partisan country. We are friends with everyone in the world."

The United States, European Union and others have imposed sanctions on Iran because of its nuclear programme, targeting in particular investment in its oil and gas industries.

Chevron Corp is operating Block A in the Gulf of Thailand and Total also has exploration rights in the area.

Three Japanese firms -- Inpex, Marubeni Oil and Gas, which is a subsidiary of Marubeni Corp, and Mitsui Oil Exploration Co, a unit of trading house Mitsui & Co Ltd -- have also shown interest in exploring.

(Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Alan Raybould)

Oil Contracts Remain a 'Mystery': Lawmaker

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report of Phnom Penh
12 June 2008

Cambodian National Petroleum Authority denied to comment on media reports Thursday that two companies were close to signing drilling contracts for onshore oil exploration.

France's Total and the government Chinese national Offshore Oil Corp near deals for onshore exploration, the Cambodia Daily reported Thursday.

Petroleum authority chief Te Doung Dara would not confirm the report.

Sok Sina, an independent economic analyst, said the government should show the contracts to the public for consideration before signing them.

Eng Chhay Ieng, secretary-general of the Sam Rainsy Party, called the agreement a "mystery" related to corruption.

"Because we are the MPs, want to know the agreement," he said, "and the government must show us what they will do and what the meaning of the agreement is."