Phnom Penh (FN), Jan 24 – Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) Director General Heng Ratana opposed any individuals that urged Cambodia's government to clear off Cambodia’s debt to US, as it further traumatized Cambodian people.

The comment was made in response to Radio Free Asia’s news urging the government to clear Cambodia’s $400 million debt to U.S during Lon Nol’s regime.

“I would like to oppose the broadcast of RFA in urging the government to pay the debt. As a demining operator, I think it will further haunt Cambodian people emotionally”, said CMAC Director General.

“Based on the principle of equity, the U.S shall not only clear the debt but also pay for the cost in killing 500,000 people, and leaving millions of unexploded ordnance”, he added.

While attending Sea Festival in Sihanouk Ville in 2016, and World Economic Forum in 2017, Prime Minister Hun Sen also requested the newly elected president Donald Trump to abolish the debt by claiming that the U.S, as a world’s superpower, shall be responsible for backing the overthrow of King Norodom Sihanouk, which led to Civil War and Genocidal Regime.

In 2000, President Bill Clinton publicly mentioned that there were approximately 3 million tons of bombs dropped in Cambodia from 1963-1975 with the excuse to kill Vietnamese invaders but it actually killed 500,000 Cambodians.

“Clearing the debt indicated U.S’s respect to Cambodia”, said government’s spokesman Phay Siphan.

U.S Ambassador William A. Heidt also recognized that the U.S actually dropped million tons of bombs during Vietnam War, said during the operation of removing landmines and unexploded ordnance, assisted by Norwegian People's Aid in Ratanakiri last Thursday.
=FRESH NEWS