PHNOM PENH: In a statement made by the Ministry of Defense on Saturday, despite Cambodia's efforts to show its willingness to respect the sovereignty of other countries and be sincere in the spirit of maintaining friendship, the United States has took advantage of Cambodia for Its own interests and its geopolitical competitive advantage. One of these acts is the decision to sanction Cambodian officials.
The Ministry of Defense has stated that the case of modernization of Cambodia's Ream Sea base, despite Cambodia show the sincerity of the concessions, the integrity and the spirit of friendship but United States still uses this issue as an excuse to oppress Cambodia. The Kingdom condemns a US decision to sanction two senior military officials.
The Defense Ministry's reaction now comes after the United States blacklisted two Cambodian generals, the Ministry of Defense's technical director general, Chao Phirun, and the commander of the navy, Tea Vinh, and enforced global sanctions. The United States was not happy about the destruction of its aid building at Ream Naval Base by the Cambodian side.
According to the Global Magnitsky Penal Code, both Cambodian generals, their families and relatives will be barred from entering the United States and assets held in the United States or owned by both of them in the United States will be frozen. In addition, businesses in which the two generals directly or indirectly own , fifty percent or more will also be frozen.
On Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied the allegations, saying they were "baseless" and violation of international law and international relations. It is also a serious interference in the internal affairs of a country.
The MFA considers the current sanctions against senior Cambodian officials to subvert cooperation in areas that Cambodia and the United States are currently working on, such as trade and investment, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping missions, and exploration. Remains of missing American soldiers, repatriation of Cambodians, Peace Crops volunteers, people-to-people contacts, and key regional issues of common interest.
