US criticises ‘troubling’ steps against press, NGOs

"Nauert’s comments followed a strongly worded statement by the US Embassy in Phnom Penh on Wednesday questioning the Cambodian government’s commitment to democracy.

The statement prompted a fringe pro-government group called the League for Peace and Youth Network to threaten a protest at the US Embassy, though it has yet to follow through.

The group is led by Pankhem Bunthan, who in 2015 led a raucous pro-government protest at the National Assembly that ended with Bodyguard Unit members brutally beating two opposition lawmakers.

Bunthan said he still planned to conduct the protest but was currently busy in the provinces.

“We want him to know what democracy is,” referring to Ambassador Heidt. “[The embassy] should not accuse Cambodia through this insulting [language].”

"The end game – as far as I understand it – is to build a political system devoid of an independent media, activist civil society organisations, and tangible electoral competition.”

http://m.phnompenhpost.com/national/us- ... press-ngos

I expect they'll put their Khmer staff upfront.

It Is Possible That There Will Be a Protest Against the American Embassy in Phnom Penh

Rama wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2017 10:32 am It Is Possible That There Will Be a Protest Against the American Embassy in Phnom Penh

Yeah, I was going to say it looks like we're back in​ the 60's. Difference being that Cambodia and China have a better relationship now than they did back then.

If it does kick-off outside the embassy, will it resemble No Escape? I got sick of being identified as an American in Central America all the time, I hope the same doesn't happen to me here.
Seeing as a lot of the schools are owned by generals, will they try to limit the exodus? They'd all lose a lot of money if they didn't. No Cambodian is going to pay those rates for a Khmer teacher of English, even if they criticize foreign teachers all the time instead of the Khmer owned schools that are charging the monies, but not using some of that money to supply teacher training on the job. Opps slipped off topic.lol

Back on topic. I wonder what exactly it is that Bunthan is doing in the provinces?

Bunthan said he still planned to conduct the protest but was currently busy in the provinces.

Lon Nol resigned as prime minister in early May 1967, and Sihanouk appointed Son Sann in his place. At the same time, Sihanouk replaced conservative-leaning ministers appointed by Lon Nol with technocrats and left-leaning politicians. In the later part of the month, after receiving news that the Chinese embassy in Cambodia had published and distributed Communist propaganda to the Cambodian populace praising the Cultural Revolution, Sihanouk accused China of supporting local Chinese Cambodians in engaging in "contraband" and "subversive" activities, In August 1967 Sihanouk sent to China his Foreign Minister, Norodom Phurissara, who unsuccessfully urged Zhou to stop the Chinese embassy from disseminating Communist propaganda. In response, Sihanouk closed the Cambodia–Chinese Friendship Association in September 1967. When the Chinese government protested, Sihanouk threatened to close the Chinese embassy in Cambodia.Zhou stepped in to placate Sihanouk, and compromised by instructing its embassy to send its publications to Cambodia's information ministry for vetting prior to distribution.
Wiki

1960-1969 Highlights 60 yeas of Diplomatic Relations
The Golden Era of Kbmer film, music, and architecture
1962: Cambodia wins Preah Vihear case, represented by Dean Acheson
1962,1965 and 1969: Senator Mike Mansfield visits Cambodia
1965: Bilateral relations severed between the United States and Cambodia
1967: Jacqueline Kennedy visits Cambodia
1969: The United States begins secret bombings in eastern Cambodia
1969: Relations restored
http://idskhnews.blogspot.co.id/2010/04 ... as-of.html