The US embassy in Phnom Penh has shared how the US government is working to encourage Cambodia and Thailand to return to the terms of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord that was witnessed by President Donald Trump on October 26. The embassy also noted that it accepts the concerns raised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (AmCham).
On December 15, AmCham wrote a letter of concern to the embassy regarding Thai military statements that Thailand may designate Cambodian ports “high risk” and blockade shipments of fuel and other goods. Casey Barnett, AmCham president, requested that the embassy convey the concerns of American businesses to the US government, as well as the Thai leadership.
“The US embassy appreciates the concerns shared by the US business community regarding the impact of potential disruptions in sea shipping routes. We continue to actively encourage both Cambodia and Thailand to uphold and return to the principles of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords,” a US Embassy spokesperson told The Post via email.
In a response to AmCham president Barnett, Bridgette Walker, chargé d’affaires of the embassy, said that she appreciated the insights and concerns shared by the US business community regarding the impact of potential disruptions in sea shipping routes as a result of the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.
“I value your perspective as we continue our efforts to promote stability and cooperation in the region,” she said, expressing the US desire to bring both countries back to the Peace Deal.
On December 15, President Trump stated that he had “straightened out” the ongoing conflict between Cambodia and Thailand and claimed that leaders of both countries had also agreed to settle their differences.
His statement contradicted the reality on the ground. Assaults were continuing as of today, December 17, with Thailand deploying ground, air and maritime forces to fire on Cambodia, according to the Ministry of National Defence.
The civilian death toll rose to at least 17, 77 injured and more than 430,000 civilians displaced, according to the Ministry of Interior.
