Cambodia refuses US official full access to Ream Naval Base during visit

Cambodian military officials denied defence attaché Colonel Marcus M. Ferrara full access to the facility during an invited visit

The development comes days after Washington expressed concern about Beijing’s military activities at the base

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The Ream Naval Base in Cambodia. File photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:12pm, 11 Jun 2021

The US embassy in Phnom Penh said on Friday its defence attaché had been refused full access to Cambodia’s largest naval base during an invited visit, just days after Washington expressed concern about China’s military activities at the base.

While on a trip to Cambodia on June 1, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman raised questions about Beijing’s military presence at the Ream Naval Base and asked for clarification about the demolition of US-funded buildings there.

Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed after meeting Sherman to let the US embassy conduct regular visits, with defence attaché Colonel Marcus M. Ferrara invited to the base on Friday.

“During the brief visit, Cambodian military officials refused to allow the defence attaché full access to the naval base,” the embassy said in the statement.

“When it became clear he would not be granted adequate access, Colonel Ferrara ended the tour and requested Cambodian military officials reschedule the visit with full access at the earliest opportunity,” the statement said.

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