Easing strained ties: US and Cambodia discuss military cooperation

[geovalin]

In a move to mend strained ties with the Kingdom, United States Ambassador Patrick Murphy met with Minister of Defence General Tea Banh yesterday to find a way to expand military cooperation. The discussions were carried out at the Office of the Council of Ministers and attended by senior officials of the ministry as well as the US embassy.

 

Murphy wrote on Twitter late last night that he “discussed a range of potential areas of strengthened security cooperation, as well as ongoing efforts to preserve Cambodia’s sovereignty.” Lieutenant General Khieu Chhen, Gen Banh’s cabinet chief told Khmer Times after the meeting yesterday that the two sides committed to resume military cooperation after the COVID-19 threat subsides.

 

“We discussed the bilateral cooperation between the Kingdom and the United States,” he said. “After the COVID-19 pandemic eases, the Defence Ministry and the US Department of Defense will strengthen existing military cooperation". Asked if the two sides discussed the resumption of joint military exercises between the two countries, Lt Gen Chhen said they did not. However, he said the working group from the two countries will work on the matter.

 

read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50765105/easing-strained-ties-us-and-cambodia-discuss-military-cooperation/

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, geovalin said:

ongoing efforts to preserve Cambodia’s sovereignty

solution: pay Hun Sen more money than the Chinese do

 

[UnkleMoooose]

I think the Chinese would like an American military base on their doorstep. A lot. I'm guessing this is all connected to the events ramping up around Taiwan, the South China Sea and the Indian/Chinese border. It looks increasingly like China is going to get a kicking either later this year or early next. Nothing brings in the votes or turns around a recession like a nice bit of war.

[steevjee]

1 hour ago, UnkleMoooose said:

I think the Chinese would like an American military base on their doorstep. A lot. I'm guessing this is all connected to the events ramping up around Taiwan, the South China Sea and the Indian/Chinese border. It looks increasingly like China is going to get a kicking either later this year or early next. Nothing brings in the votes or turns around a recession like a nice bit of war.

Say what??? You would HAVE to be a Trump supporter making a stupid statement like that. Those of us that are even semi intelligent realise that a war between the US and China would ultimately lead to "lights out Earth"

[ThaiFelix]

I wonder what threats the US used to help "warm" the discussions?

[FangFerang]

4 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

solution: pay Hun Sen more money than the Chinese do

 

Actually, the Cambodians were given coup money in the 70s from the US to overthrow the government at the time.  When the coup failed the US billed Cambodia the amount.  Even today, they "owe" the US government the money the US supplied for the failed coup.  How completely FUBAR is that?