U.S. President Obama arrives in Cambodia for ASEAN, East Asia Summits

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Newly re-elected U.S. President Barack Obama arrived here, the capital of Cambodia, on Monday afternoon to attend the 4th ASEAN-U.S. Leaders' Meeting and the 7th East Asia Summit.

Arrived in his Air Force One jet plane at the Phnom Penh International Airport at 5:40 p.m. (local time), Obama was escorted by a top-security convoy to the Peace Palace, where he will meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen bilaterally ahead of a series of meetings with the leaders of ASEAN and East Asia Summit.

Obama arrived here after visiting Thailand and Myanmar in a three Asian nation trip on Nov. 17-20 to prove the U.S. renewed interest in the Southeast Asian region.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters last Thursday the 4th ASEAN-U.S. Leaders' Summit, co-chaired by Hun Sen and Obama, will focus on strengthening and expanding the two blocs' cooperation.

The topics will include the initiative for ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership, the suggestion for regularly annual ASEAN-U.S. Leaders' Summit and ASEAN-U.S. Business Summit, and the request for the establishment of ASEAN-U.S. Center in Washington D.C. to promote tourism, trade, and investment, he said.

Moreover, the U.S. will announce to recognize the core role of ASEAN in regional forums and re-consider supporting the ASEAN Connectivity Action Plan.

Besides the Summits, Obama will hold separate talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the margins of the 7th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

Cambodian Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith told Xinhua that it is the first time that the sitting U.S. President visits Cambodia.

"Obama's presence would bring closer ties between all countries in the region and the United States, and each side could learn from each other," he said.

Some analysts said the U.S. active involvement with the ASEAN in recent years will provide future chances for the country to intervene into ASEAN internal affairs.

"It is up to ASEAN. If ASEAN holds a firm stance, other countries will be unable to intervene into the bloc's internal affairs," said Kanharith.

Phay Siphan, spokesman for Cambodia's Council of Ministers, said the visit would strengthen ties between the U.S. and ASEAN in general and between the United States and Cambodia in particular.

"The visit will also build further confidence among American investors in Cambodia's business environment," he told Xinhua.

Chheang Vannarith, executive director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, said the visit would contribute to confidence building, mutual understanding and partnership between the United States and ASEAN.

Cambodia has been hosting the 21st ASEAN Summit and related Summits on Nov. 18-20 at the capital's Peace Palace.

All ASEAN leaders and ASEAN's dialogue country leaders from the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Russia are gathering for the Summits.

More than 10,000 Cambodian security personnel have been deployed to safeguard the Summits, said Kirt Chantharith, spokesman for the National Police. The number does not include foreign forces escorting their respective leaders to the meetings.

Founded in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sourced: Xinhuanet