During today’s bilateral meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, the Prime Minister requested that the United States, especially President Joe Biden, consider resolving Cambodia's debt to the United States during the Lon Nol regime, amounting to some $700 million, through a bilateral strategy. The first step would be to allow Cambodia to repay this debt gradually, with the second being to repay the debt through an interest payment program at 1%. The balance, approximately 70% of the total debt, should be returned to help Cambodia in the fields of education, demining and cultural development.

Sherman promised that all of Samdech Techo's requests would be submitted to the US President. 

The US Deputy Secretary of State brought a letter from President Joe Biden addressed directly to Samdech Techo, stating that it is the intention of the President of the United States to make the two countries richer through mutual cooperation. 

Sherman expressed her deep appreciation for past cooperation between Cambodia and the United States in a variety of areas, most especially the search for the remains of missing US soldiers in Cambodia, counter-terrorism and humanitarian efforts, such as allowing MS Amsterdam to dock in Cambodia last year when so many other countries had refused, owing to its outbreak of Covid-19. 

Sherman also mentioned opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, including the elimination of Cambodia's debt owed to the United States, cooperation on soft oil and gas investment, and investment in water infrastructure and green energy. 

In response, the Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at what the Deputy Secretary said, most especially the United States contributing towards peace in the country. 

Prime Minister Hun Sen also thanked the United States for directly and indirectly helping Cambodia, through the World Health Organisation, in its fight against the spread of Covid-19.

The Prime Minister also congratulated the people and government of the United States on their successful containment of Covid-19, reflected in the recent decline in the country’s case count. 

Samdech Techo also asked the United States to review its policy of deporting Cambodian nationals.

Phnom Penh, 1 June: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has held talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen, shortly after touching down in Cambodia for a one-day visit as part of a broader diplomatic tour of key ASEAN states. She was greeted at Phnom Penh International Airport this morning by U.S Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy.

She met with Prime Minister Hun Sen and his cabinet at the Peace Parliament to discuss key bilateral issues.

Sherman arrived in Phnom Penh from Jakarta this morning and will fly onto Bangkok before returning to Washington. She is the most senior U.S. official to visit Cambodia in almost a decade and is the first member of the Biden Administration to visit Southeast Asia. Washington is looking to increase its influence in the region amidst its diplomatic tussle with Beijing.

Phnom Penh: US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will be landing in Cambodia for a one-day on June 1 as part of her first multinational tour, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesman Koy Kuong.

While in Phnom Penh, Sherman will meet Prime Minister Hun Sen and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn to "further strengthen bilateral ties between the US and Cambodia"

Bradley J Murg, senior adviser and distinguished research fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, anticipated that Sherman's meetings in the Kingdom will serve as an opportunity for the Biden administration to further clarify its approach to Southeast Asia in contrast to the policies of the Trump administration.

“Potential items on the agenda are likely to include the continued rollout of the new Mekong-US partnership, Washington’s understanding of and deep commitment to the policy of ASEAN centrality, and, inevitably, its continuing concerns regarding China’s role in the Kingdom,” he said.