PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) – The top U.S. Army officer for the Asia-Pacific region, General Ronald P. Clark, arrived in Cambodia on Monday as part of a two-day visit aimed at improving the strained ties between the United States and Cambodia, particularly in terms of military relations. This visit comes at a time when relations between the two nations are somewhat tumultuous, predominantly due to longstanding concerns regarding political repression and human rights violations by the Cambodian government, which has been criticized by Washington.
One of the significant worries highlighted during the visit includes Cambodia's increasing proximity to China. The U.S. and other countries fear that China's navy has potentially received exclusive access to the Ream base located on the Gulf of Thailand. This development could enable China to extend its influence more effectively, projecting its power across the South China Sea and into the Indian Ocean. China stands as Cambodia's foremost ally and benefactor, exerting considerable influence over its economy.
During the visit, General Clark engaged in discussions with Cambodia's military chief, General Mao Sophan. Their conversations covered various topics, including enhancement of defense cooperation, trade relations, tourism, cultural exchanges, counterterrorism efforts, peacekeeping missions, demining activities, and the recovery of missing American military personnel from the Vietnam War era. Additionally, they touched upon the potential resumption of the joint military exercises titled Angkor Sentinel, which were last held in 2016.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed gratitude towards the U.S. government for Cambodia's involvement in sending U.N. peacekeepers globally. In his statement, he acknowledged the U.S. support for Cambodia's efforts in clearing unexploded ordnance, a matter of critical importance given that decades of conflicts, concluding in the late 1990s, left between 4 million and 6 million landmines and additional unexploded munitions, including those dropped during U.S. bombing campaigns.
In summary, General Ronald P. Clark's visit to Cambodia emphasizes the United States' intent to enhance bilateral ties and military cooperation while addressing pressing issues related to human rights and regional security amidst growing concerns over China's influence in Southeast Asia.
