PHNOM PENH (Cambodia Herald) - US President Barack Obama raised
bilateral debt issues and human rights during a meeting with Prime
Minister Hun Sen on Monday evening, a senior official said.
Prak Sokhorn, secretary of state at the Office of the Council of Ministers, also said that Obama did not raise the issue of exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy during the meeting.
"Obama talked about the US debt, human rights issues, democratic processes, land issues, elections and the case of Mom Sonando," he said, referring to the Beehive Radio owner recently convicted and jailed for sedition.
The prime minister told Obama that Cambodia had no political prisoners. "Here we detain only those who break the law," he was quoted as saying.
During the meeting, held immediately after Obama's arrival from Yangon, the president expressed his condolences over the death of King Father Norodom Sihanouk last month.
Prak Sokhorn, secretary of state at the Office of the Council of Ministers, also said that Obama did not raise the issue of exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy during the meeting.
"Obama talked about the US debt, human rights issues, democratic processes, land issues, elections and the case of Mom Sonando," he said, referring to the Beehive Radio owner recently convicted and jailed for sedition.
The prime minister told Obama that Cambodia had no political prisoners. "Here we detain only those who break the law," he was quoted as saying.
During the meeting, held immediately after Obama's arrival from Yangon, the president expressed his condolences over the death of King Father Norodom Sihanouk last month.
Obama also praised Myanmar for its improved human rights and democratic reforms, saying he wanted to work with countries that promoted democracy, Prak Sokhorn said.
The bilateral debt issues refer to outstanding Cambodian debts to the United States inherited from 40 years ago.
During the Lon Nol regime from 1970 to 1975, the United States says its provided $1.18 billion in military assistance to Cambodia as well as $503 million in economic assistance.
Obama is the first US president to visit Cambodia. On Tuesday he attends an East Asia Summit with China, Russia, India, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand along with the ten leaders of ASEAN.
No comments:
Post a Comment