Hun Manet, educated at Western institutions including the West Point military academy in the United States, would not want to be “owned lock stock and barrel” by another country, Osius said, a reference to Cambodia’s close ties to US rival China.
Cambodia’s decision to allow China’s navy to develop its naval base at Ream has upset Washington and neighbours worried it will give Beijing a new outpost near the contested South China Sea.
Osius said the US approach to Cambodia had been “punitive” and Washington should look for opportunities for dialogue.
“Better for (Hun Manet) if there if he’s got some strategic options, and that could mean improving ties with us,” he said.
A spokesperson for the US State Department said it had no specific comment on Hun Manet’s future leadership, but the formation of a new government was an opportunity for the CPP to improve Cambodia’s international standing.
Ways it could do this included “restoring genuine multi-party democracy, ending politically motivated trials, reversing convictions of government critics, and allowing independent media outlets to reopen and function without interference.”
Asked if Hun Manet and US officials could meet on the sidelines of UNGA, the spokesperson added: “We are still determining schedules for US principals and do not have any further information to share.”
Cambodia’s Washington embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Source: CNA
