Impression of H.E Norodom Sirivudh about the presence of U.S

By: Hong Channpheaktra

H.E Sirivudh expressed his thankfulness to the U.S that just the first relation with the United States, many foundations such as the road, schools were built and the scholarship for students at that time that has provided many impacts on Cambodia nowadays.

“It has been a good period as golden age relation between Cambodia and U.S if I do not talk about the period in 1970s,” said H.E Sirivudh on the second session of the Symposium.

H.E Norodom Sirivudh is a member of the Constitutional Council, Supreme Privy to His Majesty the King of Cambodia, and Founding Chairman of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace.

“We cannot forget the time when U.S accepted the refugees who went across the border into Thailand during the Khmer Rouge Regime, some of whom already came back and involved in the government of Cambodia,” he said.

His Excellency also reminded the reason of the worse relation between U.S and Cambodia in 1960s and 1970s.

“I remember when I was the kid when Cambodia received US military but we face many problems with both Thailand and Vietnam,” he said, adding that Cambodia was not allowed to use U.S military to deal with those problems at that time when we plan to.

With his energetic presentation, His Excellency has showed his hope that the relationship between the United States and Cambodia will become greater and greater, hence more and more investments from the United States will have the presence in Cambodia.

"Relation between U.S seems limited in 1950s," said Kenton Clymer

By: Hong Channpheaktra

“Starting from the first relation in 1950s, the connection between United States and Cambodia seems to be limited," said Mr. Clymer, who has observed during that time when Cambodia was the neutral country.

Mr. Kenton Clymer is recently Presidential Research Professor in the Department of History at Northern Illonois and he has written six books, three of which cover the history of American relations with Cambodia.

He continued his speech explaining that although the kingdom remained neutral and the relation between two countries was good at that time, King Norodom Sihanouk still insisted on visiting China in 1958 which had made the United States fell less happy. This happened during the year of plot in South Vietnam, Lao and Vietnam while the United States is putting action on it.

Opening Remarks by H.E Sok An and Ambassador Carol Rodley

By: Hong Channpheaktra

“The relationship between the United States and Cambodia has never been better than today” said Carol Rodley, U.S ambassador to Cambodia during the 60^th Anniversary Cambodia-U.S Diplomatic Relations Symposium 1950-2010 this morning at Chaktomok Theatre.

The event marks the third day of a week celebration in a week celebration of 60^th anniversary U.S and Cambodia diplomatic relation that has started since 1950 when Mr. Donald R. Heath presented his credentials Legation on November 14^th.

Having speech as the welcome remarks, Ms. Rodley said that the U.S government is continuing to improve heath, basic education, government, as well as economics development of Cambodia and the relation has become much better during the last two decades.

H.E Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister said it has been 60 that we have made relation with the United States besides it was cut in 1970s when Cambodia became slideshow to American war to Vietnam and between 1975 to 1979 during Pol Pot Regime.

“Our relation turned back after 1982 until the present time and the ECCC cannot happen without the supports from the United Stateds,” he said.

In front of more than 500 audience featuring experts, scholars, officers, students, and other audiences, Ms. Roldley really encourage the young students from different universities to get involved in the question and answer session after the speech of scholars who has devoted their academic career to the study of Cambodian history.