Cambodian and US military personnel during the March 2012 Angkor Sentinel joint military exercises. MENG KIMLONG
Cambodia suspended military programs with the US shortly after the elections, a US State Department official said yesterday.
Speaking at a press briefing held in Washington DC, spokeswoman Marie Harf said the suspension was a "unilateral" decision by Cambodia.
"Following the elections, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense postponed or canceled a number of international military programs, including with the United States. We would not categorise the cancellation of programs as a suspension of military ties," she said.
"We haven’t indicated that’s something we want."
Before the elections, a number of US lawmakers urged cuts to aid should the vote be deemed less than "free and fair." Rights groups testifying at a congressional hearing on the topic encouraged the cuts be made to military aid, but no public decision on the matter had been issued.
Cambodia has typically enjoyed a warm military relationship with the US, which has provided millions in military assistance each year and held large training exercises. Three-star general Hun Manet, the son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, was the first Cambodian to attend the elite West Point military academy in the US.
Speaking at a press briefing held in Washington DC, spokeswoman Marie Harf said the suspension was a "unilateral" decision by Cambodia.
"Following the elections, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense postponed or canceled a number of international military programs, including with the United States. We would not categorise the cancellation of programs as a suspension of military ties," she said.
"We haven’t indicated that’s something we want."
Before the elections, a number of US lawmakers urged cuts to aid should the vote be deemed less than "free and fair." Rights groups testifying at a congressional hearing on the topic encouraged the cuts be made to military aid, but no public decision on the matter had been issued.
Cambodia has typically enjoyed a warm military relationship with the US, which has provided millions in military assistance each year and held large training exercises. Three-star general Hun Manet, the son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, was the first Cambodian to attend the elite West Point military academy in the US.
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