Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 10 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen has ordered the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to immediately review US military weapons and equipment and decide whether to keep or destroy them, according to his Facebook post on Friday (10 Dec).

"The United States recently ordered an arms embargo on Cambodia. I would like to thank them as its decision reflected my decision back in 1994 of not switching Cambodian weapons system to the US one at that time. At the same time, I ordered all armed forces to immediately review US military weapons and equipment and decide whether to keep or destroy them,” the premier said.

Samdech continued, "I noticed that those who had used the US weapons systems had lost the war; for instance, Lon Nol’s Khmer Republic. They used and imported lots of US weapons to Cambodia, trapping the kingdom into black debts. Those who used US weapons have also recently lost war in Afghanistan. I believe in the courage and the spirit of the armed forces in protecting Cambodia's territorial integrity, rather than just weapons.”

"I once again thanked the US for confirming that my decision not to buy weapons from them was right for Cambodia's defense policy and that it was a message to the Cambodian next generation leaders that [if you want your national defense sector to be independent, do not use American weapons,” the premier added.

On 8 December 2021, the US has unilaterally ordered an arms embargo on Cambodia by restricting defense-related goods and services under geopolitical move.

=FRESH NEWS