Cambodia disappointed by US aid cuts

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia said it was saddened and shocked by a “disrespectful” US decision to rein back aid programmes because of perceived democratic setbacks and defended its record on democracy.

The White House said it was suspending or curtailing several Treasury, USAID and military assistance programmes that support Cambodia’s military, taxation department and local authorities – all of which, it said, shared blame for recent instability.

A Cambodian court ordered the seizure of the headquarters of the main opposition party, pending the payment of damages to Prime Minister Hun Sen, the latest blow to the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party.

Hun Sen has forced the closure of an English-language newspaper and jailed government critics, including opposition leader Kem Sokha, whom he has accused of conspiring with the US to overthrow him.