Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 09/30/2019 3:08:23

NEWSLETTERRoyal Embassy of Cambodia

4530 16th Street NWWashington DC 20011

No.39 August 6th,2019

Cambodian FM: No Foreign Military Bases in Cambodia

US Welcomes Cambodia’s Strong Defense of National Sovereignty

Cambodia Benefits From Lower Mekong Initiative

Cambodia’s GDP Growth Forecasted at

7.1 Pct in 2019

FM Prak Sokhonn at ASEAN FMs’ Meeting in Bangkok

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo at U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial. Bangkokpost

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, during the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC)+1 Session with the United States of America, held on August 1 in Bangkok, clarified on the rumor alleging that Cambodia has granted foreign military to use its Naval Base in Preah Sihanouk province. He reaffirmed that while Cambodia as a sovereign

(Continue to page 2)

Speaking at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand on August 1st, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo referred to Cambodia’s denial of reports that the country had allowed the Chinese naval base and welcomed Cambodia’s strong protection of its national sovereignty.

“Cambodia refuted reports (Continue to page 2)

Cambodia has benefited from many activities under the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) and is pleased to co-chair with the U.S on the “Human Development and Connectivity Pillar” at the first LMI Policy Dialogue held in April in Bangkok,

stated Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn during the LMI 10th Anniversary Ministerial Meeting held on August 1st, on the sidelines of the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings in


Cambodia’s economic growth remains robust this year and gross domestic product will expand by 7.1 percent in 2019, said the Cambodian Central Bank (NBC) in its latest biannual report, adding that


Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 09/30/2019 3:08:23 PM


state has the rights to decide on the best options and means to defend its territory, it would do so only in respect to the Constitution, which prohibits the presence of foreign military bases on its territory.

Minister Prak Sokhonn

that it is allowing a Chinese military installation to be built on its territory. The United States welcomes Cambodia’s strong defense of its national sovereignty, and we encourage other nations in the region to follow Cambodia’s lead in protecting it,” he said.

The Wall Street Journal

published in July an article alleging Cambodia has signed a secret agreement with China to allow the latter’s armed forces to use Ream Naval Base in Preah Sihanouk province.

The Cambodian government h a s c a t e g o r i c a l l y denied that fake news.

economic growth this year will be supported by the strong performance of exports as well as the construction, real estate, and tourism sectors.

The value of the country’s imports and exports combined reached $17.3 billion in the first six months of the year, NBC noted in the report.

Exports were valued at

Bangkok. He welcomed also the establishment of the LMI Public Impact Program.

The Meeting welcomed a decade of progress in capacity building in the

Mekong sub-region to meet trans-boundary and common challenges through the 15 programs. The Meeting welcomed the ongoing progress on the Mekong Water Data Initiative

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(MWDI), namely the launch of its data access platform and ‘Mekong Water’, with the goal of strengthening the coordinating role of the Mekong River Commiss ion (MRC) .

The Meeting adopted the Joint Statement on the 10th Anniversary of the Lower Mekong Initiative.

LMI was launched in July 2009 by the US Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar joined in 2012.

valued the U.S.’s commitment in supporting the ASEAN priorit ies in ASEAN Community building across the three pillars as well as efforts to further advance the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership. He also hoped that trade issues would be resolved in the near future so that the danger of spillover

effects would be avoided.The Meeting commended the significant progress in the implementation of the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership (2016-2020) and looked forward to developing a new Plan of Action for the next five years.

Cambodian FM...

US Welcomes Cambodia...

Cambodia Benefits From...

FM Prak Sokhonn (first from left) with lower Mekong colleagues, Secretary Pompeo (third) and ASEAN Secretary General

Cambodia’s GDP...



$6.8 billion (48.8 percent of GDP) while imports reached $10.5 billion (73.6 percent of GDP). Exports expanded by 13 percent in the first half of 2019, compared to 16 percent in the first half of 2018. Cambodia mostly exported travel goods and other textile products, garment and footwear, bicycles, and rice, according to the report.Cambodia’s major export

In the first half of this year, a total of 153 investment projects worth nearly US$5.2 billion have been approved, a year-on-year increase of 48 percent in terms of investment capital, pointed out the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) in a report. The approved investment projects could create up to 167,330 jobs.

Agriculture, agro-industry,

The Habit Restaurants, lnc, an American burger franchise, announced plans to expand its fast food chain to the Kingdom market with a planned 25

Habit Burger Grill outlets set to open across the country.Amory F&B Company, a sister of Kampuchea Tela Company, LTD based in Cambodia,

became the franchisee, with which the company can operate Habit Burger outlets.It noted that a 25-stores development agreement has been reached between Amory F&B Company and The Habit Restaurants. The first store is expected to open in Phnom Penh by 2020.

and garments accounted for 134 of those projects, worth a combined $920.6 million. The tourism industry welcomed 11 projects ($3.7 billion), while infrastructure attracted three projects ($424.6 million).

The rise in FDI reflects investors’ confidence in the country’s political stability and in the reforms implemented by the government, said Kaing Monika, deputy secretary

general of the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC).

Of the $5.2 billion invested in the country, local investors account for 68.4 percent, while China is responsible for 25.4 percent. They are followed by the British Virgin Islands (2.85 percent), Thailand (1.26 percent), and England (0.5 percent).

Ambassador of Malaysia to Cambodia Eldeen Husaini Bin Mohd Hashim told

destinations were the European Union (33.2 percent of all exports), the United States (28 percent), and Japan (7.7 percent). Cambodia imported mostly from China (46 percent of all imports), Thailand (15.6 percent), Vietnam (13.2 percent), and Japan (4.5 percent), NBC said.

In the report, NBC’s director-general Ms Chea Serey said

that Cambodia’s preferential trade status with the European Union and the United States could be lost in the near future as the country becomes an upper-middle income economy. The government must strive to enter free trade agreements with countries in the region to sustain current economic growth, she added.

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U.S-Based Habit Burger to Enter Cambodia

Malaysia to Import More Cambodia’s Rice

and Agro Products

Cambodia Attracts $5B Investment Projects in First Semester



Cambodian Minister of Agriculture Veng Sakhon during a meeting on July 30 that Malaysia had decided to increase its import of Cambodian rice and is interested in other agro products such as pepper, longan, and palm oil.

The Ministry of Commerce has urged Belarusian investors to consider building bus assembly facilities and tyre factories in Cambodia during the third session of the joint committee on trade and economic cooperation between Cambodia and the Republic of Belarus held in Phnom Penh last week.

The Ministry said Cambodia can produce up to 300,000

A new pediatric heart surgery building named “Pavillon Kantha Bopha-Sihamoni Monineath” at Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital I in Phnom Penh was inaugurated on August 1, in a ceremony presided over by Their Majesties King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk together with other dignitaries including H.E. Ms. Pascale Baeriswyl, State Secretary at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; Prof. Mam Bunheng, Cambodian Minister of Health; Dr. Peter Studer,

CEO of the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospitals and representative of the Swiss Kantha Bopha Foundation, as well as Dr. Denis Laurent, the Kantha Bopha Children’s

His Majesty the King announced his and Her Majesty the Queen-Mother’s additional contribution of US$100,000 each to the Kantha Bopha Foundation.

The Kantha Bopha Hospitals were established in 1992 by Swiss pediatrician, Dr. Beat Richner under the invitation of the His Majesty the late

King Norodom Sihanouk. The construction of the three-storey “Pavillon Kantha Bopha-Sihamoni Monineath” cost some US$4.5 million, of which US$1 million were donated by Their Majesties the King and Queen-Mother. The building was equipped with medical equipment worth in total US$3.5 million funded by the Swiss Kantha Bopha Foundation and Cambodian Kantha Bopha Foundation with its Honorary President, Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen.

tonnes of rubber per year that can be used in the manufacturing of tyres.

Gennady Sv idersky, Belarus’s First Deputy Industry Minister, said the government of Belarus will continue to promote investments in Cambodia’s agriculture, industry, health, and technology sectors to create jobs and contribute to national development.

The two countries also agreed to boost trade and economic cooperation that will enable Belarus to export machinery, tyres, and medical supplies to Cambodia while Cambodia will be able to ship rubber, agricultural products, and seafood to the Eastern European country. They also agreed to cooperate to boost the development of certain sectors in Cambodia, including the tourism industry.

In September this year, a group of Malaysian businessmen will pay a visit to Cambodia to learn more about the potential of Cambodian agriculture sector, added the Ambassador.

Minister Veng Sakhon briefed his guest on the agricultural

development in Cambodia, pointing out that more than 2.37 million tons of agro products have been exported to international markets, as of July this year. He asked Malaysia to encourage its investors to invest in agro processing in Cambodia.

Belarus to Promote Investments in Cambodia

New Pediatric Heart Surgery Building Inaugurated

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4530 16th Street NWWashington DC 20011

No.45 September 17th,2019

meeting, the commission has been tasked with ensuring that markers for the 86 percent of the border already demarcated are up to standard, and with producing a map showing the boundary lines accepted by both nations to be included in the treaty.

PM Hun Sen said both nations also agreed to conduct studies on the remaining 14 percent of the border left to be demarcated.

After the bilateral meeting, the two PMs presided over the signing ceremony of five key cooperation documents, including the Memorandum


Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and his Lao counterpart H.E. Dr. ThonglounSisoulith, who is on a two-day official visit to Cambodia, reached an agreement, during the bilateral talks held in Phnom Penh on September 11, to task the Joint Boundary

Lieutenant General Hun Manet, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Army Commander, met in Bangkok, on September 10, 2019, with United States’ Army Pacific Commander

General Robert B. Brown to strengthen ties and cooperation between the two countries’ armies.

During the meeting, held (Continue to page 2)

Visiting Vice President of the World Bank for East Asia and Pacific Region Ms. Victoria Kwakwa, in her meeting with PM Hun Sen on September 16, commended Cambodia for its rapid economic g r o w t h , p o v e r t y alleviation, reduction of infant mortality rate and so on, which she said shows that Cambodia was on the right track.

Ms . Victoria Kwakwa appreciated the good (Continue to page 2)

Commission to draft, as soon as possible, a treaty to ratify the 86 percent of the border that has been demarcated to date, both PMs told reporters after the bilateral meeting.

According to a joint statement issued after the

Cambodian and Lao PMs talk to reports after bilateral meeting

Lt Gen Hun Manet (left) meets with General Robert B. Brown

Cambodia, Laos To Draft Border Treaty

Cambodia, US Discuss Enhancing Military Ties Word Bank Commends Cambodian Development



Cambodia, Laos...

Cambodia, US...

Word Bank...

Cambodia Becomes World Pathfinding Country To End Violence Against Children

of Understanding on Labour

on the sidelines of the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference, Gen Brown informed Lt Gen Manet that the United States Army intended to continue its good cooperation w i t h C a m b o d i a ’ s army, according to a s tatement f rom the RCAF working group.

c o o p e r a t i o n a n d par tnersh ip between the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and World Bank and lauded the RGC’s e ffor ts in developing the country a n d i m p r o v i n g t h e people’s living standard.

PM Hun Sen expressed thank s to H .E . Ms . Victoria Kwakwa for the World Bank ’s support t o C a m b o d i a a n d encouraged World Bank to play more active role

in assisting Cambodian p e o p l e r e c e i v i n g social concession land from the RGC and to continue cooperat ing

The Kingdom of Cambodia is committed to ending all forms of violence against children and became the 26th Pathfinding Country of the Global Par tnership to End Violence Against Children (GPEVAC), in a launching

ceremony held in Phnom Penh, on September 12.

Today, in a high-level event hosted by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY), UNICEF, and the Global Partnership to End

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Violence Against Children (GPEVAC), Cambodia reinforced its dedication to fully implement the inter-ministerial Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Children,said a press release issued

w i t h C a m b o d i a i n h u m a n r e s o u r c e development and rural r o a d i n f r a s t r u c t u r e c o n s t r u c t i o n .

“General Brown hopes that both countries’ armies will enhance cooperation in the future,” it said.

It noted that in response, G e n M a n e t s a i d Cambodia welcomed the desire to enhance cooperation between the two countries’ armies.

Gen Manet led an RCAF

delegat ion attending the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference held in Bangkok under the t h e m e d “A c h i e v i n g Sustainable Security : A new perspective for Indo-Pac i f ic Armies” that aimed to boost trust, mutual understanding and collaboration among land forces in the region.

Cooperation, Agreement on Energy Cooperation, and three d i f fe rent

electricity deals between Electricité du Cambodge and Electricité du Laos.



National Human Rights Unit Law To Be Drafted

Cambodia Hosts ASEAN Shipping Biggest Event

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The 17th ASEAN Ports & Shipping 2019, the biggest event for the shipping industry in Southeast Asia, was held in Phnom Penh on September 11-12, with some 170 delegates from 16 countries in a t t e n d a n c e , a m o n g them were delegates from ASEAN countries,

Eu r o p e , a n d N o r t h A m e r i c a . Tr a n s p o r t Event s is the main organiser of the event hosted by Sihanoukville A u t o n o m o u s P o r t (PAS) and Phnom Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP).

R o r y Ja m e s D o y l e , Managing Director of

Transport Events, said C a m b o d i a ’s h o s t i n g of such an important e v e n t r e f l e c t s i t s growing importance as an emerging economy in Southeast Asia. It is the first time Cambodia hosts the event, which is now on its 17th edition.Mr Doyle said many

by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The government has adopted many measures, including formulations of laws, policies, strategic plans, and legal procedures, to improve child protection, said Minister of Social Affairs VongSauth. In this context, Cambodia became the leading country in the ASEAN region to conduct a national survey on violence against children.

Ms. Cristian Munduate, UNICEF’s Representative in Cambodia, and Mr. Howard Taylor, Executive Director of GPEVAC, who participated at the launch event lauded

The government has tasked the Cambodia Human Rights Committee (CHRC) with preparing the country’s draft law on establishing the National Human Rights Unit that is consistent with international laws, according to a statement issued on

September 10 by the CHCR.

CHRC has created a working group to prepare the draft law and after this is done, the CHRC will seek feedback from all relevant parties, it said.

C H R C s p o k e s m a n

Chin Malinunderlined that the government previously tasked human rights NGOsto prepare the draft law but they were unable to do so.

“We will work hard to successful ly prepare this draft law,” he said.

Cambodia’s adherence in GPEVAC, which was considered a significant step in realizing the right of all Cambodian children to grow up safe and protected

Cambodia is the fourth country in the region to officially join GPEVAC

and become a pathfinding country, after Indonesia, the Philippines and Mongolia. The commitment is timely as Cambodia accelerates efforts to achieve its vision of becoming an upper middle-income country by 2030 and high-income country in 2050.



Cambodian Ambassador’s Main Activities

Meeting wth Congressman Eliot Engel (New York-16th District)Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (September 10)

Meeting with Congressman Dean Phillips (Minnesota-3rd District)Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (September 12)

Meeting with Congressman Ron Wright (Texas-6th District)Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (September 11)

With US Ambassador to Cambodia Patrick Murphy During his swearing in at the State Department (September 13)

b u s i n e s s e s a n d i n v e s t o r s i n t h e shipping and logistics industry worldwide are interested in entering the Cambodian market. “They see the opportunities t o d o b u s i n e s s i n Cambodia,” he stressed.

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4530 16th Street NWWashington DC 20011 No.46 September 24th,2019

Cambodia is among 48 less developed countries that will retain trade privileges in the UK market, underlined Ms. Heather Wheeler MP, Par l iamentar y Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Asia and the Pacific) at Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, during her meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation PrakSakhonn, on September 17, 2019.

Ms. Heather Wheeler, whowas in Phnom Penh as part of an official visit

to Cambodia, noted the use of social media among the Cambodians in a free manner without censorship, the economic progress, and the good relations and

cooperation between both nations.She also told the FM that the UK will continue to boost trade with Cambodia.FM PrakSokhonn emphasized


Cambodia To Retrain UK Trade Privileges

Cambodia To Host Asia Pacific Summit

In NovemberWorld Bank

Approves $1 Billion For Development In

Cambodia

US-Based Hilton To Invest In Cambodia

With the support from the international community, Cambodia will host the Asia Paci f ic Summit in Phnom Penh from November 18 to 21, 2019.

The Asia Pacific Summit 2019, to be held under the theme “Responding to the Current Key Challenges: Interdependence, National Reconciliation Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values”, wi l l attract current and former Heads of State/Government , N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y


The World Bank has officially approved the disbursement of $1 billion to develop priority sectors in Cambodia, the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced in a statement issued on September 16 after a meeting between Economy and Finance Minister AunPornmoniroth and Vice President of the World Bank for East Asia and the Pacific Victoria Kwakwa.

The loan will be provided under the ‘Countr y


The US-based Hilton has announced plans to open its first hotel in Phnom Penh by 2022, reported Khmer Times on September 18, adding that Hilton Phnom Penh will have 280 rooms and an all-day dining restaurant, lobby bar, and fitness centre, among other amenities.

Paul Hutton, Hilton vice president for Southeast Asia, said they decided to expand into Cambodia because the country is primed for growth. He noted that the Kingdom experienced the third-largest increase in the




Ms. Heather Wheeler's visit to Cambodia will further promote and enhance the friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and the UK.He also expressed his appreciation for the excellent cooperation between the two countries in various fields, especially the economic

and social ones as the two-way trade rose to more than US$1 billion last year.

The Cambodian Minister accepted the UK’s request for Cambodia’s support for its bid to be an ASEAN dialogue partner once it left the EU.

Trade volume between Cambodia and the United

Kingdom (UK) has increased from US$1,044 million in 2017 to US$1,083 million in 2018. During the first five months of 2019, the two-way trade volume reached over US$466 mi l l ion.Most of the Cambodian products expor ted to the UK are c lothes , footwear, bicycles, rice and agricultural products.

and Senate Presidents, and Ministers from more than 50 countries. Representatives from the private sector, artistes and youths from over 150 nations around the world will also attend the event.

A n i n t e r - m i n i s t e r i a l

commission has been formed to organise this summit. The Universal Peace Federation, a non-governmental organisation working as the consultant with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, also joined to coordinate in the process of the Summit.

The Asia Pacific Summit 2018 was organised in Kathmandu, Nepal from December 1 to 3 under the theme "Addressing the Critical Challenges of Our Time: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values" with the participation of some 1,500 people from 45 countries.

Partnership Framework for 2019-2023’, approved by the World Bank in May, it added.

M i n i s t e r Po r n m o n i r o t h considers the World Bank an imp or tant development partner that has significantly contributed to the Kingdom’s economic growth, said the statement.

According to a World Bank report published in May, the Partnership Framework will support Cambodia’s progression to the next stage of its development and reflects the evolution of the World Bank ’s engagement in the country.

The Framework focuses on state efficiency and boosting

private sector development. It will address several challenges related to supporting Cambodia’s financial and business sectors, as well as improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector.The framework will support the development of Cambodia’s human capital and focuses on improving agricultural productivity and strengthening the sustainable

use of natural resources.

The Framework focuses on state efficiency and boosting private sector development. It will address several challenges related to supporting Cambodia’s financial and business sectors, as well as improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector.The framework will support the development of

Cambodia To Host...

World Bank Approves...

Cambodia To Retrain UK...

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The planned return of former CNRP leaders is tantamount to a coup by an illegal group attempting to topple the government, which is a serious crime that affects national security, reported Khmer Times basing on a press release issued on September 20 by Cambodia’s Justice Ministry.

The Ministry has carefully examined and analysed the planned return of former CNRP leaders issued on September 15, noting that the group aimed to topple

the government through inc i tement of hatred among people and armed forces under the image of a violent movement.

Last week, exiled former CNRP leaders announced a budget to suppor t soldiers who defect from the government and ensure safe passage for MrRainsy upon his return to the Kingdom in November.

In the statement , the Ministry spokesman Chin Malin pointed out that the

planned return is not for the sake of democracy and human rights as the group claimed but is an act to cause serious crime, which affects the security at large.

“The plan to overthrow the Royal Government of Cambodia is a serious crime punishable under Articles 451 and 452 of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of 15 to 30 years, and that if the perpetrator is a public servant, the sentencing must be life-time imprisonment,” he said.

Ethan Allen, a leading interior design company from the United States, has expanded into Cambodia by opening its design center in Phnom Penh, reported Khmer Times on September 20.

Ethan Allen, which operates more than 300 stores in the US and abroad, manufactures and sells various kinds of furniture and home furnishings and decorations. In the last several years,

Cambodia’s human capital and focuses on improving

agricultural productivity and strengthening the sustainable

use of natural resources.

number of international tourist in ASEAN last year.

Cambodia has become an attractive destination for international hotel chains.

Already several well-known international brands have a presence here: Sofitel Hotel & Resorts, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Park Hyatt, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses, Hotel Emion, Ibis Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott,

Alila Hotels & Resorts, Belmond, and Le Meridien.

Moreover, in July, UK-based Yoo Hotels & Resorts announced plans to build a hotel in Cambodia under its Yoo2 lifestyle brand.

US-Based Hilton...

Justice Ministry: Planned Return of Former CNRP Leaders Aims To Topple Government

US Interior Design Firm Expands Into Cambodia

Ethan Allen’s new design centre in Phnom Penh

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Cambodia’s property boom has led to a greater demand for quality interior design

products and services. In the first four months of 2019, the Ministry of Land Management

approved 1,420 projects worth more than $2.7 billion.

The Hong Kong-based Rosewood Hotel Group, which is one of the world’s leading hotel brands, plans to open four more hotels in Southeast Asia, including one in Siem Reap in 2022, according to Bangkok Post.

Rosewood Siem Reap will

be joining a growing list of luxury hotels in Siem Reap. The province is also home to Park Hyatt Siem Reap, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Jaya House River Park, Anantara Angkor Resort, Shinta Mani Club, and FCC Angkor Managed by Avani.

Rosewood Siem Reap will be the second venture for the Rosewood Hotel Group in Cambodia after Rosewood Phnom Penh, a 5-star hotel located within Cambodia’s tallest building, Vattanac Capital Tower.

Rosewood To Open Second Hotel In Siem Reap

Meeting with Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (Pennsylvania-14th District)

Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (September 18)

Meeting with Congressman Francis Rooney(Florida-19th District)


Meeting with Congressman William Keating (Massachusetts-9th District)Member of the House Foreign Affairs

Committee (September 19)

Meeting with Congressman Lee Zeldin (New York-1st District)


Meeting with Congressman Tim Burchett (Tennessee-2nd District)


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Rosewood Phnom Penh

Cambodian Ambassador’s Main Activities



Documents

Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 09/30/2019 3:08:23