Ambassador meeting with Ms.Megan Reiss, National Security Policy Advisor of Senator Mitt Romney1/22/2020 Dear Compatriots,
May I share with all Compatriots that I met on the afternoon of January 21 with Ms Megan Reiss, National Security Policy Advisor of Senator Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah, Chairman of Subcommittee on East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Senate. I briefed her on the development in the Cambodia-US relations, stressing on the recent exchange of letters between President Donald Trump and STPM Hun Sen, in which both Leaders shared the common views to see better bilateral relations as well as the acceptance by Samdech Techo Prime Minister of President Trump’s invitation to attend the US-ASEAN Special Summit scheduled for March 14 in Las Vegas. Ms Megan Reiss welcomed the information about the upcoming US-ASEAN Special Summit in Las Vegas. I also informed her about the rising bilateral trade volume, the increasing interest of the US businessmen in exploring investment opportunities as well as the remarkable presence of the well-known US companies in Cambodia. While discussing about GSP, I highlighted the information received from the US business community that they do not support the removal of US GSP. She showed her understanding with my underlining that the eventual removal of GSP will affect not only the Cambodian interest, but also the US business community, particularly the US’s influence as the second biggest market for Cambodian exports of garment, footwear and travel goods. She showed her comprehension with my clarification about democracy and human rights in Cambodia. My Impression: - It was a very good meeting. She showed her understanding, even her agreement to some arguments. With my best regards, Chum Sounry
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His Excellency Chum Sounry, Ambassador of Cambodia to the United States, and Embassy staff attended on Saturday night, January 18, the celebration in Virginia of the 41st Anniversary of the January 7 Victory Day with the participation of 250 Cambodian Americans from Washington, DC metropolitan area (part of Virginia + DC + part of Maryland).Ambassador meeting with Mr. Jack Myint of USABC and Foreign Policy Team of Senator Benjamin Cardin1/17/2020 Dear Compatriots, May I share with all Compatriots that: 1. I had a meeting on January 15 at the Embassy with Mr. Jack Myint, Senior Official in charge of Cambodia and Myanmar, US- ASEAN Business Council (USABC). The discussion focused on the incoming visit to Cambodia on February 20-21 of a US business delegation of at least 12 well known American companies to explore business opportunities in the country, especially on energy (oil) and ICT. He requested the Embassy to help arrange for the delegation’s courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Sen as well as meetings with the Ministries concerned. During the meeting, he underlined the USABC stance and that of US businessmen to not support the removal of Cambodia’s GSP. He said the USABC has make known the above- mentioned position to the US Administration and the Congress. 2. I met on Jan 16 at the Senate Office Building with Foreign Policy team: Ms Katherine Close, Senior Policy Advisor, and Mr. Jonathan Weadon, Foreign Policy Fellow, of Senator Benjamin Cardin, Democrat of Maryland, Member of Committee on Foreign Affairs. The discussion focused on the promotion of the Cambodia-US relations and the current situation in Cambodia. With my best regards, Chum Sounry On the night of January 4, Ambassador Chum Sounry attended the celebration of the 41st Anniversary of the January 7 Victory held in Long Beach, California, with the participation of around 550 Cambodians and foreign guests. In the afternoon the Ambassador had a meeting with around 20 Asian-American businessmen, who have business or are exploring business opportunities in Cambodia. During the day, he also had a working lunch with the leaders of the Cambodian Town, an organization of the Cambodian Americans in Long Beach. The discussion focused on the strengthening of the relations between the Embassy and the Cambodian Town and the preparation for the incoming Khmer New Year celebration in Long Beach. ------ On the night of January 5, Ambassador Chum Sounry attended the celebration of the 41st January 7 Anniversary held in Seattle, Washington State with around 530 people, including 60 American and foreign guests, among them State Senator Doug Ericksen, former State Senator Michael Baumgartner, US local authorities and several foreign Consul Generals. ------ On the night of 7 January, Ambassador Chum Sounry attended the celebration of the 41st January 7 Anniversary held in Las Vegas, Nevada with around 130 attendees. ------ On the night of January 8, Ambassador Chum Sounry attended the celebration of the 41st January 7 Anniversary held in Stockton, California. The event was attended by around 200 Cambodian Americans from different cities on the Northern California. ------ On Saturday night January 11, Ambassador Chum Sounry attended the celebration of the 41st January 7 Anniversary held in Portland, Oregon The event was participated by around 420 Cambodian Americans from different cities in Oregon. Dear Compatriots, May I share with all compatriots about my main activities in December as follows: 1. Attend the ASEAN Committee in Washington (ACW) Meeting: The meeting, chaired by Brunei Ambassador as the current Chairman of ACW, focused on the current development in the ASEAN-US relationship, including the US-ASEAN Special Summit proposed by President Donald Trump. At the end of the meeting, Ambassador of Brunei handed over to me the ACW Chairmanship. 2. ASEAN Working Lunch with State Department: The working lunch was attended by Mr. David Stilwell, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Ambassador Atul Keshap, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the same bureau and five other senior officials in charge of ASEAN, Multilateral and Southeast Asia Affairs. During the lunch, the State Department and ASEAN Ambassadors discussed and shared the common views to further strengthen ASEAN-US partnership. Both sides have an exchange of information on the proposed US-ASEAN Special Summit. 3. Attend Reception at State Department: The reception was hosted by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Madam in honor of all Heads of Diplomatic Mission at the end of year. With my best regards, Chum Sounry Ambassador meets with Ms Laurie Farris of Department of Commerce and Congressman Tom Malinowski12/7/2019 Dear Compatriots,
May I share with all Compatriots that I had on December 4 and 5 the following 5 separate meetings with: 1. Ms Laurie Farris, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia, International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce. 2. Senator Christopher Coons’ foreign policy team led by Mr. Thomas Mancinelli, his National Security Advisor. Senator Coon is a Democrat, Delaware, Member of Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific and Member of Committee on Foreign Relations. 3. Congressman Tom Malinowski, Democrat, District 7 of New Jersey, Member of Foreign Affairs Committee. 4. Ms Sophia Lalani, Defense & Foreign Policy Advisor to Senator Cory Booker, Democrat, New Jersey, Ranking Member of Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development. 5. Foreign Policy Team of Senator Jeff Merkley, Democrat, Oregon, Member of Committee on Foreign Relations. With my best regards, Chum Sounry On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations to the people of Cambodia on the 66th anniversary of your independence on November 9.
In recognition of the values that Cambodians and Americans share, we hope this day will focus on national reconciliation; peaceful dialogue; and democratic, economic, and social development. We celebrate U.S.-Cambodian cooperation in building a more prosperous, democratic, and independent Cambodia. The United States congratulates you on Cambodia’s National Day and conveys our best wishes to the Cambodian people. https://www.state.gov/cambodias-national-day/ Dear Compatriots,
May I share with all Compatriots that I met this afternoon (October 22) at the Capitol Hill, with Congressman Michael Guest (Republican, 3rd District-Mississippi), Member of House’s Foreign Affairs Committee. I briefed the Congressman on Cambodia’s development, especially the economic growth as well as the development in the Cambodia-US cooperation, stressing on the remarkable increase in the bilateral trade exchanges and the interests shown by the US companies to further enhance their businesses in Cambodia. I also touched on the good bilateral cooperation on military and security, POW/MIA, landmine and UXO clearance, people-to-people exchanges, tourism, . . . I assured him of the Cambodian government’s sincere wishes to further promote the cooperation in all fields with US and asked for his support in this purpose. Congressman Michael Guest showed his impression with our economic growth and the cooperation development between both countries, particularly the increased volume of trade exchanges. He affirmed clearly his stance to support the strengthening of cooperation. He also mentioned his intention to establish the agricultural cooperation between his home State Mississippi and Cambodia. My impression: During the meeting, he showed his friendship and sympathy and I had the impression that this meeting could be considered one among the good meetings I have had with US Congressman. With my best regards, Chum Sounry On October 15, 2019 at the Embassy, His Excellency Chum Sounry, Ambassador of Cambodia to the United States, and Embassy’s staff paid tribute to His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk “Preah Borom Ratanak Kaudh”, the Late King-Father of Cambodia, on the occasion of the 7th anniversary of His demise.
On October 10, 2019 at the Embassy, His Excellency Chum Sounry, Ambassador of Cambodia to the United States, had a meeting with Ms. Melisa Esposti, Director of Government and NGO Relations, Project C.U.R.E, which is an organization based in Denver, Colorado, United States, that collects and delivers donated medical supplies and equipment to the developing countries, among them Cambodia. Ms. Melisa told the Ambassador that Project C.U.R.E has provided 13 containers of medical supplies and equipment to Cambodia valued at around USD 5million. The organization is now in the process of delivering one more container. The discussion focused on the cooperation between the Embassy and Project C.U.R.E. |