Cambodia’s Hun Sen Slams U.S. Threats Over Aid

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday criticized U.S. threats to cut aid to the impoverished Southeast Asian nation if its election wasn’t free and fair, and dared American lawmakers to follow through on their warning. His comments came after U.S. lawmakers started processes in the last two months that could result in a reduction of American financial aid to Cambodia, worth about $70 million a year. … Any reduction in U.S. aid would only affect American-backed development projects and not the Cambodian government, said Mr. Hun Sen, whose party was returned to power in Sunday’s general election but with a much reduced majority. … The U.S. and the European Union have expressed concern about alleged election irregularities, but stressed that an investigation should be handled by Cambodia’s electoral commission. In his Friday comments, Mr. Hun Sen also alluded to Cambodia’s close diplomatic ties with China, which could make up for any reduction in U.S. aid. … China is Cambodia’s largest foreign investor and also a major donor and provider of development aid. Since 1992, Beijing has provided Cambodia with about $2.7 billion in loans and grants, according to Cambodia’s finance ministry. …

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