US Welcomes Much Better than 1995 Visit: Tea Banh

Written by DAP NEWS -- Friday, 25 September 2009

(CAAI News Media)

Cambodian Minister of Defense Tea Banh, also a Deputy Prime Minister, on Wednesday night said that during his formal 4-day-visit to the US, US Defense Secretary of State Robert Gates gave him a far more cordial reception than his first visit to US in 1995.

“By my observation, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates welcomed me very hospitably, which it seemed far different to my visit to the US in 1995,” Tea Banh told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport upon his arrival.

Tea Banh also clarified the fruitful results of his discussion with Robert Gates, which concluded with the US Government vowing to boost more cooperation with the Cambodian Government in all fields, saying that “There are 121 projects which US government has helped to develop Cambodia.”

More especially, the US government is promoting international peacekeeping operations, part of which is Cambodia’s commitment to host the 2010 Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), a regional exercise supported by the US Government in which about 2,000 soldiers will participate.

However, the debt of over US$300 million, which Cambodia has owed to the US since the Lon Nol-era Cambodian Government, was not raised by the defense deputy during discussions. Related to border issues between Cambodia and Thailand at the Khmer Preah Vihear Temple, Tea Banh said that “US Government supports both nations to solve peacefully.”

Related to criticism of human rights and the democratic system in Cambodia made by Cambodian opposition lawmakers and other NGOs in the US recently, he claimed that the US defense minister said he disregarded requests sent by US senators about this problem.

“Since 2004, the US has sought to strengthen and expand its bilateral defense relationship with Cambodia,” according to US embassy statement in Phnom Penh on Wednesday. “Our cooperation focuses on international peacekeeping, counterterrorism, counter narcotics, border and maritime security, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operation, and defense sector reform. Our goals are to develop the capabilities of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) in these areas, while encouraging Cambodia’s commitment to the rule of law, transparency in governance, sustained democratic development, and respect for human rights.”

Since 2006, Cambodia has received approximately US$4.5 million worth of equipment and technical assistance through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. The US has also provided humanitarian assistance. Since 2005, the US Army, Navy, and Marine Corps have helped to build and republish schools and medical clinics throughout the country.

US military medics and dentists have also worked with their RCAF counterparts to provide free health care to some of the most isolated and impoverished communities in Cambodia.