ENHANCING THE U.S.-CAMBODIA MILITARY RELATIONSHIP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PHNOM PENH 000730 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR D, P, EAP/FO, EAP/MLS, AND PM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS MASS MARR TH CB SUBJECT: ENHANCING THE U.S.-CAMBODIA MILITARY RELATIONSHIP ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Following the first ever U.S.-Cambodian Bilateral Defense Discussions (BDD),the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) team, accompanied by the Charge d'Affaires, called upon Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Tea Banh to highlight progress achieved in strengthening the bilateral military relationship. The PACOM team described plans to expand security assistance programs and cooperation in a number of areas. Demonstrating Cambodia's commitment to enhanced mil-to-mil cooperation, Tea Banh announced RGC support for the installation of a Defense Attach in Washington, D.C., affirmed Cambodia's commitment to host the GPOI Capstone exercise in 2010, and committed to work to enhance cooperation through the State Partnership Program and upcoming Partner Nation Maritime Needs Assessment. The DPM also raised Preah Vihear, noting that talks scheduled for August 29 were postponed due to the unavailability of key Thai contacts. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) The first ever bilateral defense discussions illustrate the broadening and deepening of the U.S.-Cambodia military-to-military relationship. This relationship has grown significantly over the past few years, with three recent ship visits and the expansion of security assistance programs to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF). During the BDD, the PACOM-RCAF team agreed to regularize the relationship by making BDDs such as this an annual event. The DPM designated Colonel Hun Manet of the National Counter Terrorism Center to serve as the point of contact for preparations for the next meeting, anticipated for late spring 2009. The PACOM team highlighted for Tea Banh expanding U.S.-Cambodia cooperation through security assistance programs in the areas of maritime security, counter-terrorism, boarder security, and peacekeeping operations. ¶3. (SBU) Perhaps most significant, Tea Banh announced the intention of the RGC to meet next week to discuss the possibility of installing a Cambodian Defense Attach (DATT) in Washington, D.C. (NOTE: While the DPM announced the plans to meet to discuss this issue, a senior officer from the Cambodian Foreign Policy and Plans Department separately told A/DATT that the Cambodians planned to announce their intention to install a DATT next week. RCAF counterparts were encouraging on the issue of finally assigning a DATT to D.C., however they cautioned about the challenges to achieving this goal in the near term due to the need to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Economics, and the fiscal implications of opening a DATT office in D.C. END NOTE.) ¶4. (U) The Minister also affirmed Cambodia's commitment to host the Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative (GPOI) Capstone exercise and the creation of a dedicated working group to begin preparations for the 2010 exercise. Tea Banh expressed his appreciation for the invitation to observe the upcoming 2009 exercise which will be held in Indonesia. Tea Banh welcomed PACOM's announcement that the State Partnership Program will soon be approved and announced the creation of a working group to better collaborate on the preparations for Cambodia's participation in this valuable program. ¶5. (SBU) Tea Banh also explained that the bilateral talks on the Preah Vihear dispute planned for August 29 in Siem Reap were unfortunately canceled due to some difficulties for their Thai counterparts, referring to the recent political unrest in Thailand. He informed the CDA that had the meeting gone ahead as planed, he expected both sides to announce a further withdrawal (or "redeployement") of both countries' troops. The CDA expressed understanding for the postponement but noted that further withdrawals would help reduce tensions in the area. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: Throughout the meeting, Tea Banh appeared more engaged and responsive to the issues raised than he has in previous encounters, and he attempted to convey a sincere appreciation for the strengthening military ties between the two countries. (NOTE: General officers from the International Relations Department later lamented to A/DATT that the Minister's attempts to express his deep appreciation for the expanding relationship were lost in translation. END NOTE.) The military relationship has expanded significantly since restrictions were lifted in early 2006. The successful first BDD and strengthening of mil-to-mil ties demonstrate the normalizing" of our bilateral relationship. The first BDD PHNOM PENH 00000730 002 OF 002 paves the way for even greater cooperation on security issues. The instillation of a DATT in D.C. would help to capitalize on these recent gains. CAMPBELL