Meeting between Robert Mueller and Hun Sen, Hok Lundy, Hun Manet

(Top to bottom) FBI Director Robert Mueller speaking at meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen on 30 January, Hun Sen responding to the FBI director, and Hun Manet (right), Prime Minister Hun Sen's eldest son unmentioned in the report, is also present at the meeting (Television Kampuchea, 31 Jan)

Hun Sen Receives FBI Director, Says Cambodian-US Relations Proceed 'Very Well'

31 Jan 08
TVK

At the working meeting with Samdech Akkeak Moha Senapakdei Decho Hun Sen, prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the morning of 30 January, Mr. Robert Mueller, director of the Federation Bureau of Investigation- -FBI, for short--of the United States, thanked Samdech Decho Hun Sen and the Royal Government of Cambodia [RGC] for authorizing the creation of the legal attache office in Cambodia.

Along with this, Mr. Robert also thanked Samdech Decho Hun Sen and the RGC, for having, since the beginning, constantly offered the closest cooperation and operations in combating terrorism and money laundering as well as arms trafficking. In this sense, Mr. Robert emphasized that he personally, like the FBI as whole, would continue to cooperate with Cambodia in these sectors more firmly and closely.

Samdech Decho Hun Sen said the relations between our two countries, Cambodia and the United States, were proceeding very well, because this was the first time that the United States owned its Embassy in Cambodia. Moreover, the United States also provided Cambodia with a lot of humanitarian aid and assistance for combating terrorism, human trafficking, money laundering, and so forth.

Chhun Yasith to be sent to court [-The icing on the FBI's cake offered to Hun Sen?]

Chhun Yasith, president of the Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF) movement

Friday, February 1, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

FBI Director Robert Mueller said in a press conference on 31 January, following the inauguration of the FBI office located inside the US embassy in Cambodia, that the FBI plans to send Chhun Yasith, the chairman of the Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF) movement, who is currently being jailed, to face justice in the near future. Chhun Yasith, the CFF leader, organized an attack in the middle of Phnom Penh city in 2001. He was later arrested in the US with the cooperation between the Cambodian government and the FBI. Robert Mueller said that he thanks the Cambodian government for its cooperation in the exchange of information and its authorization for the US to interview its witnesses. He said that the US is preparing to send Chhun Yasith to court for sentencing.

Robert Mueller: FBI "happy" to shelve 1997 grenade attack investigation?

Carnage scene immediately following the 1997 grenade attack which the FBI investigated but never release its official report.

FBI 'Happy to Receive' Grenade Attack Evidence

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report Phnom Penh
31 January 2008

The FBI conducted an investigation of a 1997 grenade attack in Phnom Penh and will not investigate further unless more evidence is brought forward, the Bureau's director said in Phnom Penh Thursday.

Director Robert Mueller, who officially opened the Bureau's Phnom Penh legal attache office Thursday, declined to talk about particular aspects of the investigation, into the grenade attack on a Sam Rainsy Party rally that left at least 16 dead and more than 140 injured, including one American.

"I would tell you that we did an investigation, and if there is any additional evidence or information that will be assisting that investigation, we'll be happy to receive it," said Mueller, who stopped in Cambodia for two days as part of a regional tour. The official opening of the office brought the number of FBI overseas legal attaches to more than 60, Mueller said.

The office, which effectively has been open a year, helps Cambodian authorities with counterterrorism and cross-border crimes. The FBI has been criticized by rights groups for its close cooperation with Cambodian police, who often perpetrate crimes and rights abuses.

National Police Chief Gen. Hok Lundy, who has had close talks with the FBI since the attache office opened, has been accused of a number of crimes, including suspected murder and human and drug trafficking.

Mueller said at the ceremony he was on a trip of "friendship building" and information exchange.

Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said there was nothing unusual about the visit, which followed Cambodia's request for greater US cooperation in law enforcement.

That cooperation has included training with the FBI as well as US agents at the seaport in Sihanoukville "to help us do most of the jobs," he said.

US FBI chief says Cambodia's fast-growing economy makes it important in anti-terror fight

2008-01-31

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodia's recent fast-paced economic boom makes it crucial to cooperate with the country in fighting terrorism and global crime, the chief of the U.S. FBI said Thursday.

«It's an important country to us because of the potential for persons transiting Cambodia or utilizing Cambodia as a spot for terrorism,» Robert Mueller said at a news conference in the capital, Phnom Penh.

He spoke after inaugurating an FBI office at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. The office is headed by Laro Tan, a Cambodian-American.

As the Southeast Asian nation expands financially and is drawn deeper into the growing global mesh of the Internet, Mueller said it was important to see how it was affected by the growth of international financial fraud.

Mueller was also visiting the country for talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen and other officials to strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism and transnational crime, to which Cambodia is seen as vulnerable because of weak and allegedly corrupt law enforcement.

Hambali, an Indonesian said to be a key leader of the regional Jemaah Islamiyah terror network, reportedly spent several months in Cambodia in 2002 and allegedly tried to use it as a base from which to launch attacks.

Hambali, whose real name is Riduan Isamuddin, was captured in neighboring Thailand in 2003 and later transferred to the prison at the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Mueller praised the cooperation Washington has received from the Cambodian police.

«I might say in particular that our relationship as it addresses terrorism and the threat of terrorism has been exemplary and the exchange of information between our services has been the second to none,» he said.

The Cambodian national police force is headed by Gen. Hok Lundy, whom New York-based Human Rights Watch has accused of ordering an extrajudicial killing, as well as involvement in drug smuggling and human trafficking. The government has dismissed the allegations as nonsense.

Hok Lundy was denied a U.S. visa in 2006 for reasons never made public. Last year, however, the U.S. State Department granted him a visa to attend counterterrorism meetings hosted by the FBI.

FBI chief lauds Cambodia for its role in 'war on terror' [-Mueller talks about weak policing and corruption, but graft is a "problem worldwide"]

PHNOM PENH (AFP) — The head of the FBI on Thursday hailed Cambodia's role in the US "war on terror", as the agency opened its first office in Phnom Penh amid rising concern over regional extremism.

Robert Mueller said the relationship between the countries in addressing the threat from extremists was "exemplary".

As he came to the end of a two-day visit, during which he held talks with his Cambodian counterparts, Mueller added: "The exchange of information between our services has been second to none."

His trip, part of a three-country Asian tour, came amid Washington's increasing efforts to further ties with the formerly communist nation, particularly in security.

Law enforcement officials have in the past expressed concern that Cambodia's porous borders and weak policing could make it a haven for extremists.

"Cambodia is an important country to us for the potential of persons transiting Cambodia, using Cambodia as a spot for utilising terrorism," the FBI director said.

Hambali -- real name Riduan Isamuddin -- who was allegedly a key member of the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network, reportedly spent several months in Cambodia before being captured in Thailand in 2003.

Mueller's visit follows a series of law enforcement exchanges, including Cambodian National Police Chief Hok Lundy's trip to Washington last April for anti-terror talks with the FBI.

The invitation was made to Hok Lundy -- who was previously refused a visa to the US over alleged involvement in human trafficking -- despite criticism from rights groups over reported abuses by his forces.

Mueller said Thursday that the issues of weak policing and corruption were part of his talks with Cambodian officials, but that graft was a problem worldwide.

Robert Mueller's visit to Cambodia

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller, right, and U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Joseph Mussomeli prepare to cut a ribbon to inaugurate the FBI legal attache office at the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008. Mueller visited Cambodia and held talks with Cambodian officials to enhance cooperation in the fight against global crimes, including terrorism and human trafficking. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Head of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Robert Mueller (R) and U.S. ambassador to Cambodia Joseph A. Mussomeli smile after they cut a ribbon during the inauguration of an FBI office in Phnom Penh January 31, 2008. The FBI opened its first office in Cambodia on Thursday, amid increasing concerns over regional terrorism, a U.S. embassy official said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Head of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Robert Mueller (R) and U.S. ambassador to Cambodia Joseph A. Mussomeli cut a ribbon during the inauguration of an FBI office in Phnom Penh January 31, 2008. The FBI opened its first office in Cambodia on Thursday, amid increasing concerns over regional terrorism, a U.S. embassy official said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller addresses a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008. Mueller visited Cambodia and held talks with the country's officials to enhance cooperation in the fight against global crimes, including terrorism and human trafficking. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

FBI chief in first Cambodia visit [-US embassy is hailing the "expanding co-operation" between Hun Sen's cops and US enforcement agencies]

Thursday, 31 January 2008
By Guy De Launey
BBC News, Phnom Penh

One of the top US law enforcement officials has arrived in Cambodia as part of a tour of South East Asia.

Robert Mueller is the first director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ever to visit the country.

He is the latest in a series of high-profile American officials who have been increasing their contacts with Cambodia.

As recently as three years ago, Mr Mueller's visit would have been little short of unthinkable.

The US had a frosty relationship with the Cambodian government - and even refused its top police officer a visa.

But now the FBI's director is holding meetings with Prime Minister Hun Sen - and the US embassy is hailing the "expanding co-operation" between the two countries' law enforcement agencies.

The threat of terrorism is one reason for the change of heart.

One of the leaders of a group connected to attacks in Indonesia was known to have spent time in Cambodia.

And the courts here have shown their willingness to try suspected terrorists.

But Mr Mueller's visit seems to be part of a larger attempt to build stronger relations with South East Asian nations which it formerly viewed as hostile.

The US has noted China's growing influence in the region.

Diplomats hope that a stronger American presence in countries like Cambodia will encourage democratic reforms and development.

FBI training abusive cops of the repressive Hun Sen regime?

FBI Director to Visit Cambodia

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original from Phnom Penh
29 January 2008

FBI Director Robert Mueller will pay an official visit to Cambodia Wednesday, for talks on counterterrorism and other law enforcement measures with Prime Minister Hun Sen, officials said Tuesday.

Mueller is on a regional tour, with stops expected in China and Vietnam, according to the US Embassy.

The FBI was criticized by human rights groups after it established an attaché office in Phnom Penh in 2007 and invited National Police Chief Gen. Hok Lundy to Washington.

Critics said police were the perpetrators of abuse, and cooperation with them made rights work more difficult.

Part of Mueller’s visit will be to attend a ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the legal attache office, the embassy said.

Interior Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Khieu Sopheak called the visit “a good sign in strengthening the cooperation between the FBI and the Cambodian police.”

“The Ministry of Interior, under the leadership of the government, especially the Cambodian police, have cooperated very well with the US FBI,” he said. “This cooperation focuses on cross-border crimes, including terrorism, drugs, sex, weapons trafficking and piracy.”

The FBI has trained hundreds of Cambodian police in understanding terrorist tactics and strategies, he said.

FBI Director to meet Hun Sen in Cambodia

FBI director to hold talks in Cambodia: US embassy

PHNOM PENH (AFP) — Robert Mueller, head of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, will visit Cambodia this week to meet top officials, the US embassy said Tuesday, amid increasing concerns over regional terrorism.

Mueller, who is on a three-nation Asian tour, will arrive in Cambodia Wednesday to preside over the official opening of the bureau's permanent office in the capital Phnom Penh.

During his visit he will meet Prime Minister Hun Sen and other senior government officials, the embassy said, without elaborating on the agenda for the talks.

"The globalization of crime -- whether terrorism, international trafficking of drugs, contraband, and people, or cyber crime -- absolutely requires us to integrate law enforcement efforts around the world," Mueller was quoted saying on the embassy's website.

"The embassy views Director Mueller's visit as another indication of the expanding cooperation between our two countries' law enforcement agencies," the embassy said in a statement.

Washington has begun seeking Cambodia's support in a number of anti-crime efforts, including counter-terrorism and drugs-trafficking.

Law enforcement officials have in the past expressed concern that Cambodia's porous borders and weak policing could make the country an ideal haven for extremists.

Hambali -- real name Riduan Isamuddin -- allegedly a key member of the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network, reportedly spent several months in Cambodia before he was captured in Thailand in 2003.

Last April, Cambodian National Police Chief Hok Lundy travelled to Washington for anti-terror talks with the FBI, despite criticism from rights groups over alleged abuses by his forces.