• Politics

Listen to Cambodians, US Envoy Tells Successor 

• By Luy Sireyreaksa
• April 30, 2024 7:10 PM

SIEM REAP – US Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy has told his successor to pay attention to and engage with Cambodian people as his terms draws to a close.

Murphy, who has been in the job since 2019, spoke in Siem Reap on April 29 to bid farewell and highlight achievements during his tenure.

He said he was grateful for the warm hospitality and friendship during his time in the country. He praised the resilience and spirit of the Cambodian people and expressed confidence in the country’s growth and prosperity.

Addressing his replacement, he spoke of the importance of recognizing Cambodia's greatest asset - its people. He advised the incoming ambassador to engage and partner with the people, listen to their views, and spend time getting to know them.

“I find the people of Cambodia to be incredibly resilient, respectful, creative, family-oriented, and capable of overcoming challenges,” he said. 

“It should be the goal of every ambassador to do his or her best to become well versed in the culture of Cambodia. Pay attention to their opinions, engage with them and form a partnership.”

He also shared his appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of the country and the meaningful partnerships that have been established during his tenure. He expressed his satisfaction in contributing to the restoration efforts of Bakheng Mountain and Preah Vihear temple, emphasizing the positive results of these collaborations.

“I really enjoyed all of these cultural heritages, especially our partnership in restoring Bakheng Mountain and Preah Vihear temple. For us to be able to participate and get some nice results from these is truly satisfying,” he said. 

Reflecting on his affinity for exploring Cambodia’s temples, the ambassador shared his admiration for these ancient creations that reflected the advancements and complexities of society from a thousand years ago. 

“There are few reasons I personally like to go to see different temples, one is they are amazing creations that reflect and advanced society from a thousand years ago. Every temple I go to, every return to visit the temple I’ve been to, I always learn something new,” he said.

He spoke of the value of interacting with people living beyond Phnom Penh, pointing to the events and narratives in the provinces where most Cambodians live. 

It was important to spend time in the interior of the country to truly understand the diverse voices and contributions of those living outside urban centers.

“This is why I am in Siem Reap. I think a diplomatic envoy should spend some time in the country's interior. There are voices of those who were raised and born in the province and made contributions to the nation. I think that is the biggest part of the story,” he said.

President Joe Biden nominated Robert William Forden to replace Murphy in 2022. But the confirmation process has progressed slowly in the Senate whose approval is required. Forden has already testify at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and his nomination was placed on the Senate’s calendar in March, awaiting a vote.