President Trump: the US respects Cambodia’s sovereignty, condemns regime change

Khmer Circle: 

Where exactly does Trump’s letter state that “(the US) condemns regime change”? What is clear is that the US “respects the sovereignty will of Cambodian people...” and wishes to see the country “put back on the path of democratic governance.” 

These wishes of the US government alone are diametrically ad odds with those of the Hun Sen regime, since the latter plainly neither “respects the sovereignty will of Cambodian people” nor tolerates the concept or practice of “democratic governance” or had done so in any genuine sense. Moreover, a ‘regime’ and a ‘government’ are not the same things and thus swapping one existing regime for another is strictly or theoretically not in the US’s interest! In other words, while the US is not “seeking regime change” neither is it averse to seeing democratic change via free and fair elections! 

Dictators should also read similarly worded letters Washington addressed to other military leaders and tyrants else where in the past prior to taking decisive military actions or economic sanctions in seeking to end their respective regimes. The “Khmer Times” should be renamed “Vietcong Times” instead...

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Taing Vida / Khmer TimesShare:    

Prime Minister Hun Sen met President Donald Trump during a Gala dinner in Philippine. Fresh News

The US President Donald Trump said in a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen that the United States respects the sovereign will of the Cambodian people and do not seek regime change.

In a letter seen by Khmer Times today, US President Trump said that in recent years, the United States relationship with the Kingdom of Cambodia has encountered difficulties, but noted that the estrangement does not serve the interests of American and Cambodian people.

“For that reason, I wish to take this opportunity to underscore to you [Hun Sen] that the United States respects the sovereignty will of Cambodian people and we do not seek regime change,” President Trump said in the letter. “My administration seeks a relationship with your government based on mutual respect.

The United States will continue to express our core belief that a commitment to democracy, individual liberty, and rule of law constitutes the best path to peace, stability, and prosperity for all nations, President Trump said.

“It is important for the future of our bilateral relationship that you put Cambodia back on the path of democratic governance,” he said. “As a first step, I hope you will re-evaluate certain decision taken by your government that the US firmly believes puts at great risk the Kingdom Cambodia’s long-term sovereignty, stability, and economic development.”

President Trump also noted in the letter that the United States remains committed to a future of peace, stability, and prosperity for the Cambodian people, noting that the US has supported and invested in since early days of Cambodia’s emergence from its long years of civil war.

He added that throughout this time, the US has worked constructively with Cambodian government, including through support to the country’s military and security services, trade and investment that has contributed to Cambodia’s economic development, and capacity building for the Kingdom civil society and governance institutions.

“The United States believes that a peaceful and prosperous Cambodia can be a force for good,” he said.

In a separate letter, President Trump invited the leaders of ASEAN to join in the US for a special summit meeting at a time of mutual convenience in the first quarter of 2020, noting that this will provide the opportunity to broaden and deepen cooperation on matters of great importance to the nearly one billion people in the US and ASEAN nations.

In a post on his Facebook page after the meeting with US ambassador Patrick Murphy yesterday, Mr Hun Sen noted a letter to him penned by President Trump.

The letter was aimed at strengthening relations and cooperation between the US and Cambodia, Mr Hun Sen wrote, noting the US wants to strengthen and improve relations between both countries.