U.S. to consider turning Cambodia's debt into development aid

January 07, 2010
Xinhua

The United States Congressman Eni Faleomavaega told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday that he will discuss with his colleagues about Cambodia's debt if it can be turned into assistance for development projects in this country, a Cambodian official said.

Eang Sophaleth, Hun Sen's spokesman told local reporters that during the meeting with Hun Sen on Thursday morning in Phnom Penh, Eni Faleomavaega said he will discuss with his colleagues after returning to the United States about the debt.

Eni Faleomavaega, who was accompanied by his two Congressmen Joseph Cao and Mike Honda, was making a two-day visit to Cambodia.

Cambodia has several times asked the United States government to consider canceling its debt amounting to some 300 million U.S. dollars it borrowed since 1972.

The U.S. has not yet answered to Cambodia's request for the debt written-off.

Cheam Yeap, chairman of the National Assembly's Economic Commission and a senior member of the Cambodian People's Party said several countries including China have written off Cambodia's debts owed some decades ago.

Cambodia is also asking Russia to cancel its debt that amounts around to 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.