PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will set up an office at Cambodia’s national police headquarters to help track down American criminals, at a time when Washington is seeking to repair strained relations with a close ally of China.

 

The office will serve to support Cambodian police in efforts to arrest American fugitives and to fight terrorism, police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun said on Tuesday.

 

“Before, we cooperated on a case-by-case basis and now we are having an office to work with the objective to work fast,” Chhay Kim Khoeun told Reuters.

Chhay Kim Khoeun said he did not know about the timeframe for when the office would be established.

 

In an email statement to Reuters, the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh declined to comment on the FBI office but said the two institutions had an established relationship.

 

“A joint FBI-Cambodian National Police task force established to fight crimes against children, money laundering, and financial crime is now operational. Our law enforcement cooperation makes both our countries safer,” it said.

 

An agreement was made last year to create the task force, which would also address organised crime, money laundering and locate international fugitives, the embassy said.

 

Ties with the United States have been frosty in recent years, with Cambodia’s government angered by Washington’s criticism of the dissolution of the main opposition party and arrest of rival politicians and activists.

 

Last week, the Pentagon expressed concern about the razing of a U.S.-funded Cambodian navy tactical headquarters, which Prime Minister Hun Sen said was for renovations.

 

Cambodia has repeatedly denied reports there was a secret deal with China, its biggest economic and diplomatic ally, to place forces at the base.

 

Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Martin Petty

 

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Maybe an American can correct me, but wouldn't this fall into the jurisdiction of the CIA?

Good idea as you can keep an eye on them all the time.

2 hours ago, Megasin1 said:

Maybe an American can correct me, but wouldn't this fall into the jurisdiction of the CIA?

The CIA works under the radar, mainly to further USA foreign policy, no matter what the official spin is. The FBI is supposedly there to combat criminal activities across state borders within the USA.  

I wonder if these people will be "eagled eyed":_

 

from 国家安全部; Guójiā Ānquán Bù; 'State Security Ministry'), is the intelligence, security and secret police agency of the People's Republic of China (non-military area of interests), responsible for counter-intelligence, foreign intelligence and political security. (source wikipedia)

I did not know that there were arrest warrants out for a certain Mr. Richard Nixon Milhous Nixon, present address being 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886 and a Mr. Heinz Alfred Kissinger, better known as Henry A. Kissinger, residing in Kent/Conneticut and New York City. 

These two gentlemen are directly responsible for the systematic destruction of Cambodia and never ever had to face the music. While Nixon is permanently in residence at above place, Kissinger still puts his big nose into each and every piece of cake. Latter is possibly the planet's best diplomat ever but regretfully forgot the reasons, why he had to leave his native Germany in 1938; the havoc he and his cronies created throughout his lifetime in Indochina and the Americas should haunt his soul (if have) forever. 

But the boys to be accredited with diplomatic passports attached to the US embassy in Phnom Penh will certainly have much smaller fish to fry! 

I thought there was a law against the FBI working outside of the 50 States and U.S. Territories!

 

???