New and Analysis, Cambodia –U.S. Navy Conducts First Port Visit in 30 Years, 11 Feb 2007

Cambodia: On 9 February, the Oliver Hazard Perry Class guided missile frigate, the USS Gary docked at the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville, the first U.S. ship visit since the United States withdrew from Cambodia in 1975 under pressure from the advancing Khmer Rouge. The port call follows visits by two high ranking U.S. admirals, Admiral William J. Fallon, the Commander of Pacific Command in July 2006, and Vice Admiral Gary Roughead, the Commander of the Pacific Fleet, in January of this year. Admiral Roughead formally announced the port call during his visit, stating, “We believe that [this ship visit] makes a beginning of a strong Navy-to-Navy relationship with many opportunities for the future." The ship will stay for a total of five days, leaving on 13 February. During its time in dock, the crew conducted both a medical and dental clinic, and assisted in repairing a small clinic, as well as participated in sports activities with their Cambodian counterparts. The ship was met by U.S. Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli, who during his remarks said that the event marked a “deepening of relations,” not just militarily, but also, “humanitarian and diplomatic.” (Comment – The port visit of the USS Gary represents another step in the slow but steady process of normalizing military-to-military relations between the U.S. and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF). Over the last few years, small scale training has been conducted between the two nations in the areas of counter-narcotics and in strengthening border security. In addition, there been close cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism. The U.S. lifted an eight year ban on formal military assistance in 2005 and though the level of assistance was small in nature, the move was an important milestone. According to U.S. Department of State documents, the budget for International Military Education and Training (IMET) for Cambodia for the Fiscal Years 2005, 2006, and 2007 respectively was 0, 49,000, and 45,000 USD’s. While grant money allocated in the form of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for the purchase of U.S. equipment during the same years was 992,000, 990,000, and 500,000 USD’s respectively. Though in proceeding years money was allocated to Cambodia, it was not disbursed due to tough Congressional resistance. Though not formally mentioned, the U.S. is concerned about growing Chinese influence in Southeast Asia, and this week’s ship visit is symbolic in that the U.S. remains interested and engaged in the region and will continue to maintain a visible and viable forward presence.) [slr]