A senior Ministry of National Defense official said the Tuesday meeting between the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Joseph H Felter and General Neang Phat had helped strengthen relations between the two countries’ militaries.
However, a senior Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) official hit back at the US’ requests for the release of former opposition leader Kem Sohka and greater democracy in the Kingdom as a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and independence.
Ministry spokesman General Chhum Socheat said the meeting between Felter and Phat – the Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence – was intended to promote cooperation between the countries’ militaries, dismissing allegations that relations had declined.
In full: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national-politics/us-warned-not-interfere-despite-successful-meeting
