geovalin Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump has written to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urging him to put the Southeast Asian nation back on a democratic path and seeking to improve ties with one of China’s closest regional allies. Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for more than 34 years, has been under increasing western pressure to improve his human rights record, with the European Union threatening the withdrawal of important trade benefits. The relationship with the United States has been particularly dire after Cambodian accusations of U.S. plotting against Hun Sen. “It is important for the future of our bilateral relationship that you put Cambodia back on the path of democratic governance,” Trump wrote in the letter dated Nov. 1 and seen by Reuters on Friday. Critics have called Cambodia a one-party state since the Supreme Court dissolved opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) in 2017, paving the way for Hun Sen’s ruling party to win all the seats in parliament in an election last year. Hun Sen has accused the United States of supporting the CNRP and plotting a “colour revolution”, like those that toppled eastern European strongmen, to overthrow his government. Trump’s letter said the strains in the relationship were bad for both countries. “I wish to take this opportunity to underscore to you that the United States respects the sovereign will of the Cambodian people and we do not seek regime change,” it said. Still, it urged Hun Sen to “re-evaluate certain decisions taken by your government” that it said risks Cambodia’s future stability. The letter made no specific reference to China, but the United States has also voiced concern at growing military ties with Beijing. On Nov. 9, Cambodia ordered the release from house arrest of opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was charged with treason two years ago. The charges remain and Kem Sokha is still banned from politics and from leaving the country. In a Facebook post, Hun Sen said that he had received two letters from U.S. Ambassador Patrick Murphy on Thursday, which included an invitation letter for him to attend a special U.S. - ASEAN Summit in the U.S. Government spokesman Phay Siphan said on Friday that the government agreed with the Trump’s position in the letter. “The Royal Government is making all efforts to give a high value to human rights and democracy,” Phay Siphan told Reuters. Reporting by Prak Chan Thul, Editing by Kay Johnson, Matthew Tostevin and Jane Wardell -- REUTERS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soalbundy Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Trump is trolling again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayaout Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Trump only care because of the Chinese military port being build near Sihanoukville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickey rat Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 36 minutes ago, Tayaout said: Chinese military port being build near Sihanoukville. Nothing to see here. ???? Return to the Democratic path? They were never on that path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatOngo Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Get your own house in order Donald, you're an embarrassment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaan sailor Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 ChiComs have already bought Cambo. Let's hope they don't succeed in buying Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfiddler Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Somewhat similar to urging foxes not to kill chickens ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCauto Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 1 hour ago, mickey rat said: Nothing to see here. ???? Return to the Democratic path? They were never on that path. Sorry - are we talking Cambodia, the USA, or both? What will be most interesting is whether Hun Sen decides to troll Trump back or instead turn the other cheek and sing his praises. I predict the second, HS knows how to play fools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assurancetourix Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Isaan sailor said: Let's hope they don't succeed in buying Thailand. I think it's already too late . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neeray Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 That's a great idea Donald. (See guys, I support Donald, sometimes, not often though) Is there another Asian country that you might send a letter to encouraging it to return to democracy? I hope so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaan sailor Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 China preys on 3rd world countries. And it looks as if Thailand doesn’t fit that mold. Instead, it seems like they’d prefer to crash the Thai economy, by dumping their USD reserves into Bank of Thailand. It benefits China, because Instead of competing with them in global markets; Thailand becomes dependent upon China. A specific example: the Belt & Road initiative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 3 hours ago, mickey rat said: Nothing to see here. ???? Return to the Democratic path? They were never on that path. Trying to think of any Asian country that isn't (secretly) ruled by the military? Can't think of one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neeray Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 21 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said: China preys on 3rd world countries. And it looks as if Thailand doesn’t fit that mold. Instead, it seems like they’d prefer to crash the Thai economy, by dumping their USD reserves into Bank of Thailand. It benefits China, because Instead of competing with them in global markets; Thailand becomes dependent upon China. A specific example: the Belt & Road initiative. If China crashed the Thai economy, they'd be able to buy those delicious durians at a new, lower price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srikcir Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 On 11/23/2019 at 8:34 AM, geovalin said: U.S. President Donald Trump has written to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urging him to put the Southeast Asian nation back on a democratic path How does that square with Trump inviting NCPO junta Chief Prayut to the White House? There's no consistency to his foreign policies. Meanwhile I suggest PM Hun Sen send Trump a very BIG Christmas card and maybe a Cambodian coloring book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAGA 2020 Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 5 hours ago, PatOngo said: Get your own house in order Donald, you're an embarrassment! Your the embarrassment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAGA 2020 Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Srikcir said: How does that square with Trump inviting NCPO junta Chief Prayut to the White House? There's no consistency to his foreign policies. Meanwhile I suggest PM Hun Sen send Trump a very BIG Christmas card and maybe a Cambodian coloring book. Tissue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatOngo Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 1 hour ago, MAGA 2020 said: Your the embarrassment Very intelligent response! You're good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 On 11/23/2019 at 8:34 AM, geovalin said: Critics have called Cambodia a one-party state since the Supreme Court dissolved opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) in 2017, paving the way for Hun Sen’s ruling party to win all the seats in parliament in an election last year 2 years too late! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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