News Story: Cambodia PM slams U.S. for interfering in country's internal affairs, visa ban

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Friday lashed out at the United States for interfering in Cambodia's internal affairs and stopping issuing visas to Cambodian foreign ministry high ranking officials.

"I'd like to call on our compatriots to stand up, holding the policy of nationalism, in order to protect our national sovereignty and oppose the interference from the foreign power," the prime minister said during a visit to more than 10,000 garment factory workers in the western outskirts of Phnom Penh.

"I don't want to see the events like in 1965 and in 1966 - the anti-American Embassy protests - to happen again, but the spirit of nationalism among the Cambodian people is high and (we) cannot accept your insult," he said.

Argument between the two countries has escalated these weeks after the Cambodian government accused the United States of secretly supporting recently-arrested opposition leader Kem Sokha to oust the government. However, the United States denied the allegations.

"Cambodia has no intention to make troubles with the U.S., so the U.S. should not watch Cambodia in the bad way," he said.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen announced that the country suspended cooperation with the United States in searching for the remains of American soldiers missing in Cambodia during the Vietnam War decades ago.

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News Report: Leverage in Cambodia Key Question for US, EU

David Boyle

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — Radio Free Asia has joined the ranks of media outlets shuttered under the now almost blanket smothering of an independent press in Cambodia, as U.S. and European diplomatic efforts have failed, so far, to halt the county's descent into authoritarianism ahead of elections next year.

The closure of the U.S.-funded outlet, due to what it called intimidation, represents another escalation in opposition to Washington by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Conciliatory overtones made in a news conference Tuesday by U.S. Ambassador William Heidt have failed to halt the government's campaign to paint Washington as the masterminds of a vast conspiracy involving all major opponents of the government.

"These are extraordinary allegations. The business of diplomacy is normally carried out with careful and respectful language, the kind of language I'm going to use today. Difficult messages are delivered privately first. Friendly nations seek ways to bridge differences," he told reporters.

Two days later, the government mouthpiece Fresh News posted an article declaring the United States "should take a helicopter to transport its citizens from Cambodia, as it did in April 1975."

News Story: Cambodia says U.S. visa restrictions on Cambodia foreign ministry high ranking officials "unreasonable"

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia said on Thursday that the U.S. visa restrictions on Cambodian foreign ministry high ranking officials are "unreasonable" and against the spirit of good cooperation between the two countries.

The United States on Wednesday stopped issuing some types of visa to Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees, with the rank of Director General and above, and their families, with limited exceptions.

The United States said the restrictions came after Cambodia refused to accept or unreasonably delayed the return of its nationals, whom the United States seeks to expel.

"Visa restrictions are the sovereign rights of the United States government. However, the linking of these restrictions to the repatriation of Cambodian nationals is unreasonable and contradictory to the spirit of good cooperation between Cambodia and the United States over the years in this particular matter," the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

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News Report: 'Bloodthirsty Policies' - US Consecutively Loses Southeast Asian Allies

Following the fall out with the Philippines, the United States now has another sharp critic in Southeast Asia. The authorities of Cambodia have accused the US of "brutal and bloodthirsty" policies and "interference in other’s affairs."

The conflict is linked to aid that Washington is providing to the Cambodian opposition on the eve of the nationwide elections, RIA Novosti contributor Igor Gashkov wrote.

Relations between Cambodia and the United States have been deteriorating rapidly throughout 2017, as the nationwide elections scheduled for June next year are approaching. 

The Cambodian authorities believe that Washington is betting on the opposition, The Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which enjoys significant support in the cities. The municipal elections held a few months earlier brought success to opponents of the current government.