A Change of Guard

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Sunday 18 November 2012

President Barack Obama’s Visit to Cambodia


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By William E. Todd, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
Good news travels fast, so you have undoubtedly heard that the President of the United States will arrive in Cambodia in just a few days.  President Obama’s visit is a historic occasion.  Although two former U.S. presidents have visited Cambodia in the past, this will be the first visit by a sitting U.S. president.  The President’s participation in the U.S.-ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting and the East Asia Summit demonstrates the United States’ deep commitment to ASEAN and reflects the importance we attach to both the U.S.-Cambodian partnership and to our broader engagement within the Asia-Pacific region.

President Obama’s visit provides a prime opportunity to take stock of the deepening U.S.-Cambodia bilateral relationship and our many collaborative efforts that are improving the lives of Cambodians.  Whether we are talking about disaster relief through joint military cooperation, judicial transparency and democratic reforms, or critical scientific work being conducted through the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), President Obama’s visit will reinforce and accelerate ongoing cooperation while advancing our shared goals of greater freedom, prosperity, and security for both of our countries.

The President’s choice for his first post re-election trip makes a significant statement about our commitment to ASEAN, but also expectations for Cambodia’s role in the region and the world.  As Cambodia’s prominence increases, the United States will continue to support Cambodia’s efforts to improve the lives of all its citizens and further strengthen ASEAN.

As Cambodia’s role in the region grows, the country faces some serious, ongoing challenges that it simply cannot ignore.  Human rights, land evictions without due process, corruption, transparency, and protection of basic freedoms such as expression and press remain issues that inhibit a nation such as Cambodia from reaching its full potential.  The United States has raised these concerns, continuously raises these concerns, and will continue to raise these concerns at all levels within the Royal Government of Cambodia, and we stand by to help the country take on these challenges.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the U.S.-ASEAN partnership.  Together, we have successfully addressed many critical issues.  Political and security discussions have resulted in greater peace and stability in the region.  Economic engagement has led to the successful establishment of the U.S.-ASEAN Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.  U.S.-ASEAN cooperation has also dramatically increased capacity in a range of key development areas, including technology, education, disaster management, food security, human rights, and trade.  The Cambodian people, along with their neighbors, are directly benefitting from this deepening partnership.

President Obama’s trip also demonstrates that Asia will remain a U.S. foreign policy priority.  As Secretary of State Hilary Clinton noted in 2011, “The future of world politics lies in Asia, and ASEAN will be an indispensable partner for the United States in trying to address a range of challenging issues in the world.”  The United States already recognizes the importance of Southeast Asia’s population of more than 600 million people.  ASEAN straddles strategically important sea lanes, is collectively the largest destination of U.S. investment in Asia, and represents America’s fourth largest overseas market.  As a Pacific nation, the United States will continue to work with Cambodia, ASEAN, and our partners in the region to encourage greater freedoms, further economic prosperity, and promote regional security.

Thank you for the continuous and wonderful feedback to my column.  I am glad we can have a candid dialogue through Rasmei Kampuchea.  To be sure, there will be much to talk about during and after President Obama’s visit.  Please keep asking me questions via AskAMBToddPP@state.gov.

William E. Todd is U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia

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