Cambodia suspends military co-operation with US, other nations amid election standoff
ambodia has suspended international military co-operation programs with the United States and others following that country’s recent, disputed election, the State Department said Monday. The reason for Cambodia’s action was not immediately clear. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters that Cambodia’s Defence Ministry has postponed or cancelled a number of programs. She provided no details. It could be a pre-emptive move after U.S. lawmakers called for cuts in direct aid to Cambodia’s government if the vote was not free and fair. But Harf said the U.S. does not regard this as a suspension of overall military ties. … U.S. military assistance on maritime security, counterterrorism and humanitarian operations makes up a small portion of the more than $70 million in annual American aid to Cambodia but reflects Washington’s attempts to build bridges with a Southeast Asian government which counts China as its main benefactor. …
