US, Cambodia Bolster Efforts on Sex Crimes

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
01 March 2010

Cambodia and the US agreed to make stronger efforts to fight sex tourism and sex trafficking on Monday, with the US increasingly cracking down of sex offenders here.

Fourteen Americans are facing charges in the US on allegations of sex crimes in Cambodia, said John Morton, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, who signed the pact with National Police Chief Neth Savoeun.

The two sides signed a letter of intent to increase training and improve bilateral cooperation of investigations of sex crimes, following Morton’s arrival.

Morton, who arrived on Monday, met with NGO leaders in Phnom Penh and was scheduled to meet with immigration and archeology officials and others in Siem Reap on Tuesday.

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.

US Returns Apsara Head to Cambodia

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
30 July 2007

US government officials Monday returned a plundered artifact to Cambodia.

The 2 kilogram Apsara head dates back to 1200 AD, and was returned under a bilateral agreement made in 2003.

US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli said the return showed a commitment by the US to help Cambodia protect its heritage.

Ann Hurst, a US customs official from Bangkok, said two more Khmer artifacts were expected to be returned to Cambodia in 2008.

The return of the artifact showed "sincere cooperation" between Cambodia and the US "in the preservation of Khmer heritage," said Him Chhem, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts.