Defiant Hun Sen tells U.S. to cut all aid to Cambodia

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen challenged the United States on Sunday to cut all aid after it announced it was ending funding for a general election next year in response to the dissolution of the main opposition party. Grace Lee reports.
Defiant words from Cambodia's leader on Sunday (November 19).
Prime Minister Hun Sen challenging the U.S. to cut all aid to his country, after Washington announced it would end funding for a general election next year.
The U.S. wants the government to reverse its ban on the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved by the country's highest court last week last week - guaranteeing an election win for Sen, who's held power for more than three decades.
Members of the opposition were accused of plotting to seize power, and its leader has been arrested for treason.
UNITED STATES STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON HEATHER NAUERT SAYING: "Freedom in multi-party democracies are enshrined in the Paris Peace Accords and in Cambodia's Constitution. The Cambodian government's decision marks a sharp reversal of those ideals."
As well as cutting election support, the U.S. says it's considering a watch list for Cambodian officials implicated in abuses, but Hun Sen has the backing of another major player - allowing him to brush off Western criticism.
CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN GENG SHUANG, SAYING: "China has been always supported Cambodia in pursuing its own development path and its efforts in maintaining national security and stability."
China vastly outspends the U.S. in a country once destroyed by Cold War rivalry and its money goes on highly visible infrastructure projects, with no demands for political reform.
Western countries have shown little appetite for sanctions in response to the crackdown, although the EU has raised the possibility of Cambodia losing trade preferences - including free access to Europe for the country's all important garment industry.