U.S. ends military academy progamme for Cambodia amid strained ties

[geovalin]

PHNOM PENH, July 1 (Reuters) - The United States has ended its programme with Cambodia to send students to top American military academies, a U.S. embassy official said on Thursday, marking the latest sign of strains in the relations between the two countries.

 

Washington has been concerned over China's growing military presence in Cambodia, with the Southeast Asian country becoming one of Beijing most important allies in the region.

 

The decision to end the programme had been made after Cambodia had ended some areas of military cooperation, U.S. Embassy spokesman Arend Zwartjes said.

 

"Following Cambodia's curtailment of cooperation in several areas of traditional bilateral military-military engagement, the country lost its eligibility for the U.S. military service academy program," Zwartjes told Voice of America (VoA).

 

Zwartjes said, however, Cambodian students currently enrolled in U.S. military academies would be permitted to complete their undergraduate programmes.

"The United States has encouraged the Government of Cambodia to assist its students with remaining tuition costs," Zwartjes said.

 

Some elite members of Cambodian society, including Hun Manet, the oldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, have in recent decades graduated from the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

 

Hun Manet is now a deputy commander and joint chief of staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).

 

Chhum Socheat, a spokesman at Cambodia's defence ministry, and government spokesman, Phay Siphan, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the issue.

 

Reporting by Prak Chan Thul Editing by Ed Davies

[Nojohndoe]

Lines being drawn in the sand ?

[Deli]

Xi owns the coutry long time and Hun Sen is his boot licker. good for the US to kick their corrupt commie butts.

[The Steve]

They can't have it both ways.

[hotchilli]

21 hours ago, Nojohndoe said:

Lines being drawn in the sand ?

I think the line was crossed, now USA is saying that's enough.

[The Steve]

It's ok, the rich RG will front the cash for the kids to stay in school. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/govt-readies-11m-six-cambodian-cadets-us-military-academies

 

Quote

The Cambodian government will cover the tuition cost of six Cambodian cadets who are currently pursuing their undergraduate programmes at four US military academies.

According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of National Defense released late on July 2, the government will cover all expenses for them until they complete their courses.

 

“Seeing the difficulties facing the Cambodian cadets due to the termination of their scholarships by the US, and with the spirit of responsibility for their future and for the sake of Cambodian military academy, the Cambodian government will cover the cost of tuition for all the six students until graduation,” the statement said.

The ministry said the decision to end their scholarship was made unilaterally by the US, and Cambodia will contact relevant US entities over the matter.

 

Two of the students are at West Point Military Academy, two at the US Air Force Academy, one at the US Naval Academy and one at the Coast Guard Academy.

According to a document obtained by The Post on July 2, the two cadets at West Point are Tri Leang and Un Vuottek, who will graduate in 2022 and 2024 respectively.

Nou Chanyuthea and Long Tola will graduate from the US Air Force Academy in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Pich Chantrea will graduate in 2022 from US Naval Academy, and Tann Chanbopich will graduate in 2022 from Coast Guard Academy.

A total of $1,1 million will be spent for all of them to complete their courses.

Neither Cambodian defense ministry spokesperson Chhum Socheat nor defense minister Tea Bahn’s adviser Nem Sowath could be immediately reached for comment.