Cambodia Government

The U.S. Mission in Phnom Penh opened on November 11, 1991, headed by career diplomat Charles H. Twining, Jr., who was designated U.S. Special Representative to the SNC. On January 3, 1992, the U.S. lifted its embargo against Cambodia, thus normalizing economic relations with the country. The United States also ended blanket opposition to lending to Cambodia by international financial institutions. When the freely elected Royal Government of Cambodia was formed on September 24, 1993, the United States and the Kingdom of Cambodia immediately established full diplomatic relations. The U.S. Mission was upgraded to a U.S. Embassy, and in May 1994 Mr. Twining became the U.S. Ambassador. After the factional fighting in 1997 and Hun Sen's legal machinations to depose First Prime Minister Ranariddh, the United States suspended bilateral assistance to the Cambodian Government. At the same time, many U.S. citizens and other expatriates were evacuated from Cambodia and, in the subsequent weeks an ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Cyprus is a destination country for women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers who forced women into prostitution continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas. There was increasing evidence of Chinese women being trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cyprus made some progress in its anti-trafficking efforts over the past year. The new police anti-trafficking unit produced successful results and showed vigilance in combating the problem. Government recognition of the problem improve ... [Read More]

Cambodia

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:  Cambodia is a poor developing country with a constitutional monarchy and elected government.  King Norodom Sihamoni is the constitutional monarch and head of state.  Elections for Members of the National Assembly were last held in July 2003.  Two parties, the CPP and FUNCINPEC, have formed a coalition government, which the CPP dominates.  The country has a market economy, with approximately 80 percent of the population of 13 million engaged in subsistence farming.  The government has good relations with its neighbors, despite strains over residual border disputes and historic antagonisms.  The quality of tourist facilities varies widely in Cambodia with the highest standard found in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), and Sihanoukville.  Read the ... [Read More]

Cambodia

Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with an elected government. King Norodom Sihanouk is the constitutional monarch and head of state. Elections for Members of the National Assembly were held on July 27. The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 73 seats in the National Assembly, while the royalist National United Front for a Neutral, Peaceful, Cooperative, and Independent Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) party won 26 seats and the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) won 24 seats. The CPP and FUNCINPEC formed a nominal coalition government, but the CPP dominates the Government. No party won the two-thirds majority required to form a government. The parties that won National Assembly seats in the election engaged in negotiations to form a new coalition Government, but the parties did not conclude negotiations by year's end. The two parties that won a minority of seats formed an "Alliance of Democrats" in an attempt to win concessions from the majority Cambodian People's Party. The for ... [Read More]

Economic Affairs

Economic Unit (Posted September 30, 2004) [Read More]

Cambodia Information Page

This agreement replaces emergency restrictions imposed by the United States in December 1999 on the import of Khmer stone sculpture. It will extend greater protection to the cultural patrimony of Cambodia, which is in jeopardy from pillage. Through this new agreement, the United States Government is committed to restrict the importation into the U.S. of all categories of Khmer archaeological material, as identified on a list to be promulgated. Both governments will also seek to encourage academic institutions, non-governmental institutions, and other private organizations to cooperate in the exchange of knowledge and information about the cultural patrimony of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and to collaborate in the preservation and protection of such cultural patrimony through appropriate technical assistance, training and resources. ... [Read More]

U.S. - Cambodia Agreement, 2003

A. The Government of the United States of America, in accordance with its legislation entitled the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, shall restrict the importation into the United States of certain categories of Khmer archaeological material, identified on a list to be promulgated by the United States Government (hereinafter known as the "Designated List"), unless the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia issues a certification or other documentation which certifies that such exportation was not in violation of its laws. ... [Read More]

Political Unit - U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The Political Unit provides support on political issues to the United States Ambassador to Cambodia. The unit monitors all aspects of U.S. political relations with the Kingdom of Cambodia, and reports to Washington on key developments in Cambodia and Southeast Asia. The Political Unit represents the official views of of the United States government to officials of the Royal Government of Cambodia. Political officers within this office work with the Cambodian government to resolve bilateral issues and to coordinate our positions in multilateral fora. Examples of the types of issues the Political Unit deals with include advancing democracy and civil society, promoting huma ... [Read More]