U.S. Establishes Diplomatic Ties With Cambodia After 18 Years
The United States said Thursday that it is establishing formal diplomatic relations with Cambodia for the first time in nearly two decades and has upgraded its mission in Phnom Penh to full embassy status.
“We are pleased that the Cambodia government has accepted our desire to resume diplomatic relations,” Secretary of State Warren Christopher said as he posed for pictures with new Cambodian Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh and his deputy, Hun Sen.
“We are going to be upgrading our mission in Phnom Penh to an embassy, and we look forward to the opening of the Cambodia Embassy in Washington, D.C.,” Christopher added.
The United States cut diplomatic ties with Cambodia in April, 1975, during the Vietnam War and until now did not formally recognize any Cambodian government.
But a U.N.-sponsored peace agreement led to elections this year that produced a constitutional monarchy.
U.S. officials said that President Clinton sent a letter to the new Cambodian government last weekend formally proposing diplomatic relations, and Monday the U.S. mission in Phnom Penh was upgraded.
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