WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday (Jan 9) announced some US$45 million in aid as it tries to bolster a fragile truce between Thailand and Cambodia.
Michael DeSombre, the top State Department official for East Asia, was visiting Thailand and Cambodia to discuss ways to strengthen the ceasefire, which President Donald Trump has sought to highlight as an achievement.
DeSombre said the United States would offer US$20 million to help both countries combat drug trafficking and cyber scams, which have become a major concern in Cambodia.
He also said the United States would give US$15 million to help support people displaced by the recent fighting, as well as US$10 million for demining.
“The United States will continue to support the Cambodian and Thai governments as they implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords and pave the way for a return to peace, prosperity and stability for their people and the region,” DeSombre said in a statement.
He was referring to an agreement signed between the two countries in the presence of Trump during an October visit to Malaysia, then head of the ASEAN regional bloc.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/us-thailand-cambodia-ceasefire-truce-us45-million-aid-trump-5848296
