VOA Khmer Service Reporter Sun Narin interviewed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Friday amid mounting tensions over Chinese military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. did. Blinken told VOA that China's reaction to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan this week has been "disproportionate and dangerous." Blinken also said the United States wants a positive relationship with Cambodia and also discussed the importance of that.Together with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to strengthen the country's democracy ahead of next year's elections.
The following records have been edited for clarity.
VOA: Cambodia Before I touch on the topic of , I have two questions. One is about Taiwan and Myanmar. What do you think about Pelosi's visit to Taiwan? } Blinken: First of all, it's great to be with you, thank you, equivalent department of government. And she had the right to make that visit, including this year, to our Congress Many members of the visited Taiwan. But nevertheless, China's reaction is very disproportionate and very dangerous. It launched 11 ballistic missiles, including those over Taiwan, and dispatched ships across Taiwan. Five of the missiles launched landed near Japan. And she, who made the statement, thinks what you're hearing from countries across the region, including ASEAN, is genuine concern about how precarious and dangerous these actions can be. So I think it's very important to act responsibly. The United States will not engage in our own provocative actions. We believe the sea should be calm. The Taiwan Strait is of great importance to virtually every country in the region. Many commercial transactions pass through it. If it is interrupted, it will have a devastating impact on the global economy and everyone's desire to recover from COVID. Therefore, it is imperative that all countries, not only the United States but also China, act responsibly and not use the visits of members of Congress as an excuse to engage in potentially dangerous and destabilizing actions.
VOA: Things are getting worse in Myanmar.
Blink: That's right.
VOA: Will the US impose economic sanctions on the junta, including on oil and gas businesses?
Blink: Well, I think what we've seen is just like you said, things are going from bad to worse. Including the heinous act of executing four members of the pro-democracy movement despite pleas from ASEAN, Cambodia and many others not to do so. And I think what we are seeing is the total insensitivity of the regime to any efforts to resolve the crisis caused by the coup. ASEAN also has been trying for months to implement her five-point consensus signed by the Myanmar government, but has no intention of doing so. Stop the violence, free the prisoners and put Myanmar back on the road to democracy. Given that, we believe that countries must look for ways to put more pressure on the regime, whether it be economic pressure, political pressure. They should engage with all representatives of the Myanmar people, including the Government of National Unity. We must pressure the regime to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the people of Myanmar. And we need to consider how to keep weapons from reaching the regime. So we will look at everything, including additional forms of economic pressure and sanctions.
VOA: And what do you think ASEAN should do other than excluding the foreign minister of the military government from the meeting?
BLINKEN: Well, I think we should take into account the fact that the administration refused to implement her five-point consensus and draw the necessary conclusions from it. I think making sure that ASEAN now has a non-political representative is just the right step. But if this continues, I think ASEAN will have to consider what that means, including a suspension of Myanmar.
VOA: I heard you met Prime Minister Hun Sen in Cambodia.
Blinken: Yes.
VOA: What did you say to him?
BLINKEN: We had extensive conversations on so many different topics. The most important thing I said is that the United States wants a positive relationship with Cambodia. We want to build on the great foundation we already have. We are proud that the United States is Cambodia's largest export market. I have actually seen some great producers such as cashews and mangoes.We are working together to help them enter the international market.I hope Cambodia will deal with the COVID pandemic. I am very proud that I was able to provide vaccines during COVID, donate them, and offer them without conditions to help. Returning and ensuring the return of the cultural heritage relics stolen from Cambodia. I feel very strongly about preserving culture. So we are working to deepen all these relationships. We have worked to strengthen our economic ties. But I also spoke about the importance of strengthening democracy here in Cambodia. Especially with elections coming up next year, we need to make sure they are truly representative and inclusive. Of course, this is what Cambodia has done before, multi-party elections. Also, the United States does not endorse any particular person or political party. We support the process, the democratic process. This allows everyone in Cambodia to feel represented in elections and ultimately in the government.
VOA: I have one question. What could be the consequences if Cambodia fails to hold free and fair elections?
Blinken: Well, I'm not going into hypotheses. But again, I think it leads to all our hopes for our own relationship. that's what they want. But it's also something the United States cares about. So is our Congress and our President, it's part of our own DNA. We have our own challenges with democracy, but we are very open, very transparent and very direct. And all we can really ask is that each country strives to have a system in which everyone feels represented.
VOA: My final question is about Reem's naval base. What's going on with the Chinese and American militaries. Also, will the US request a return visit after construction is complete?
Blinken: Well, this is first and foremost so that Cambodia has a truly independent foreign policy and is not pressured by anyone. And when it comes to Ream Naval Base, if one country were to have exclusive control or use of part of the base, or do something that would compromise the security of other countries in the region, countries across the region would be very vulnerable. I would be concerned about So I think it's important to be transparent and make sure the bases are open to everyone and not just to certain countries.
This story comes from VOA's Khmer service