Mending Cambodia-US relations: A Cambodian Perspective (original) (raw)

Cambodia and the United States celebrated the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2020. The celebration took place amid growing distrust and suspicion between the two countries. Over the years, the Cambodia-US relations have fluctuated, due to various issues, including geopolitical and strategic interests, human rights, democracy and more recently the China factor. 1 However, in recent years, the bilateral ties have been particularly fraught with accusation, confrontation and distrust. In 2017, Cambodia accused the United States of colluding with the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Cambodia's nowdissolved main opposition party, against the Cambodian government. In 2019, the United States accused Cambodia of signing a secret deal with China to allow the Chinese military access to Cambodia's Ream Naval Base in Preah Sihanouk province. Both countries denied each other's accusations and have tried to achieve rapprochement, yet their relations seem to be trapped in a downward spiral.

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