Source: FN
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Outgoing US Ambassador to Cambodia William A. Heidt expressed commitment to better promote Cambodia-US cooperation, speaking in a farewell call on Tuesday at Phnom Penh Peace Palace.
According to Kao Kim Hourn, Minister Delegate Attached to Prime Minister, Ambassador informed the premier that Cambodia-US cooperation on environment and economy sectors have grown rapidly, particularly the exports of Cambodian goods to US’s markets.
What’s more important is the Royal Government’s re-activation the POW/MIA program in Cambodia in the search for remains of US troops during the war, after the cooperation was suspended for over a year, Kim Hourn added.
According to embassy’s spokesman Arend Zwartjes in earlier November, 48 Americans remain unaccounted for in Cambodia from the Vietnam War.
Cambodian Strongman expressed his wills to learn more about the US. He affirmed to the Ambassador that Cambodia welcomes all investors from all countries, not only the Chinese and Americans.
Ambassador Heidt thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership in furthering a productive US-Cambodia relationship and creating the conditions for rapid economic development in Cambodia.
“The Ambassador noted he feels encouraged by recent positive steps, including the resumption of POW/MIA cooperation, and encouraged the Cambodian government to take further actions to improve bilateral ties, including by promoting national reconciliation, freeing Kem Sokha and other political prisoners, and loosening restrictions on civil society and the media,” US Embassy Phnom Penh wrote in her statement after the meeting.
“The Ambassador acknowledged the Prime Minister’s Monday comments dismissing reports that Cambodia would permit a foreign military base in Cambodia, and noted the importance of continued dialogue on this issue,” the statement added.