U.S. CONCERNED OVER EXPULSION OF OPPOSITION PARTIES FROM CAMBODIAN ASSEMBLY

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Expulsion of Opposition Parties from the Cambodian National Assembly
Press Statement
Jen Psaki
Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
June 8, 2013　


The United States is deeply concerned by reports that the Permanent Committee of the Cambodian National Assembly, made up entirely of members of the ruling party, has expelled opposition lawmakers from the National Assembly. Such a decision starkly contradicts the spirit of a healthy democratic process.

We strongly support a political process that includes the full participation of all political parties on a level playing field. Stripping the salaries and parliamentary status of opposition party legislators deprives the Cambodian people of their voice and hurts the democratic process in Cambodia. Full participation of all elected representatives is essential to the democratic process.

We urge the National Assembly leadership to allow all elected members to fulfill their commitment to serve the Cambodian people.

SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON'S REMARKS WITH CAMBODIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Remarks With Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong Before Their Meeting

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

June 12, 2012

SECRETARY CLINTON: I am pleased to welcome the deputy prime minister of Cambodia here to the State Department. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with him in Cambodia and at ASEAN Regional Forum meetings, and we are looking forward to coming for the ASEAN Regional Forum to Cambodia in July. And we have many issues to discuss that are of importance to our two nations and to regional and global interests as well.
Deputy Prime Minister, welcome.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER NAMHONG: First of all, I would like to particularly thank Madam Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for (inaudible). We (inaudible) our bilateral agenda now to enhancing particularly our bilateral agenda (inaudible) on regional issues. We will be happy to welcome (inaudible) for the ARF meeting (inaudible) and we really are happy to welcome President Obama to Cambodia in November for the East Asia Summit (inaudible) summit of leaders (inaudible) Cambodia. Thank you so much.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you very much, sir.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER NAMHONG: Thank you. Thank you.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all.

STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS REMARKS IN CAMBODIA

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks in Cambodia
Remarks Kurt M. Campbell
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
May 25, 2012
First of all, let me just say that on behalf of the United States government, we are so thrilled to be here in Cambodia for the Senior Officials Meeting. I’ve had a chance yesterday to meet with the Prime Minister and now I have had a very good discussion with the Foreign Minister. I think as you all know Secretary Clinton has invited him to the United States. He will be there early next month and we have had an opportunity to review all the important things that the United States is doing in Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia.

I’d just like to underscore that in addition to all the important bilateral work that we are undertaking and our multilateral engagement in terms of the Lower Mekong Initiative and the like, we are also bringing Secretary Clinton in July the largest ever business group to Cambodia as part of our multi-faceted engagement to suggest our deep desire to have a strong and deeper ties between our business communities in the United States and ASEAN. We are thrilled at the support that we have received from the Cambodian government. Daisy Liu [of ConocoPhillips] and Steve Glick [of Chevron] have made very generous contributions in terms of hard drives and also flash drives to enable the ASEAN Secretariat to be fully prepared and capable to deal with the enormous number of people that will be coming to Cambodia to celebrate not only the ASEAN Regional Forum, but [also] the East Asia Summit. This is a critical year – it’s the tenth anniversary since the statement of conduct with regard to the South China Sea. We’re at a critical period. We’re counting on the leadership of Cambodia to ensure the future of peace and prosperity.

I have been joined here today with my wonderful colleague from ASEAN, Ambassador Carden in Jakarta, to make a very strong commitment on the part of the United States to an enduring commitment to the Asia-Pacific region and to ASEAN as a whole, and I want to personally thank Daisy and Steve for their commitment to this process and to thank you, Foreign Minister, for all that you have done to build stronger relations between the United States and Cambodia. So thank you all.