Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, greets Cambodian journalists in Khmer style before addressing a press conference at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, where the USS Savannah is docked. - Photo: Hong Raksmey
PHNOM PENH: The visit of Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, to Cambodia this week has given the senior naval officer the opportunity to shed light on the enduring humanitarian partnership between the two nations.
Speaking on Wednesday (Dec 18) at the Preah Sihanouk Autonomous Port, where the USS Savannah is currently docked, Paparo emphasised the importance of addressing historical legacies while building stronger ties for the future.
“The United States is proud to support Cambodia’s efforts to address the legacy of war,” Paparo stated, referencing nearly three decades of collaboration on landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance.
This partnership, he noted, has saved countless lives and remains a cornerstone of US-Cambodia relations.
The Kingdom’s landscape is still marked by the remnants of past conflicts, with millions of landmines and UXOs posing ongoing risks to communities.
Since the early 1990s, the US has provided technical expertise, equipment and funding to support Cambodia’s demining efforts.
These initiatives have not only helped clear hazardous areas but also built local capacity to sustain the work.
The US Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program and the US State Department have played pivotal roles in these efforts, noted the admiral.
He highlighted the significance of these programmes, saying, “Our shared mission to eliminate these threats ensures safer communities and supports Cambodia’s development”.
The US and Cambodia have also collaborated on addressing the human cost of the Vietnam War.
Paparo explained that there were 90 US personnel listed as missing in Cambodia at the war’s end, with 48 of them still listed as POW/MIA. He praised US-Cambodian joint efforts, saying that the partnership had led to the recovery of the remains of 15 Americans.
“Through the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency, we work closely with Cambodian authorities to achieve the fullest possible accounting of our missing personnel,” Paparo said.
He expressed gratitude for Cambodia’s cooperation, which has allowed families to find closure decades after the conflict.
In addition to addressing historical legacies, the US and Cambodia are looking to broaden their collaboration in humanitarian and peacekeeping domains.
Discussions during Paparo’s visit included expanding training programmes in disaster relief, military medicine and peacekeeping operations.
These initiatives aim to enhance the capabilities of both nations while fostering mutual understanding and trust.
Admiral Paparo emphasised the importance of people-to-people ties as the foundation for these efforts.
“It starts with relationships, technical exchanges and mutual respect. From there, we build the capacity to tackle shared challenges together,” he said.
The USS Savannah’s visit to Cambodia is part of a renewed push to strengthen ties between the two countries.
This is the first US Navy ship to dock in Cambodia in eight years, marking a step forward in reinvigorating military and humanitarian cooperation.
“I think it's a step in a 75-year relationship cooperation between two nations that have been long-time friends. As I said earlier, I don't think of it in terms of competition,” explained Paparo.
As the US and Cambodia approach the new year, the focus will be on deepening collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
From expanding demining efforts to exploring new peacekeeping initiatives, Paparo said, the partnership aims to strengthen regional stability while addressing critical humanitarian needs.
He described this as a step forward in a long-term friendship and partnership. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
