Cambodia Morning News For December 8

Cambodia Claims Washington ‘Trying to Destroy Relations’ as U.S. Imposes Travel Restrictions
The United States on Wednesday said it will block entry to Cambodians whom Washington deems are “undermining democracy in Cambodia” and called on Phnom Penh to reverse an anti-democratic crackdown on the opposition.
— VOA

So long, US; howdy, Russia
Much of the Western world lined up to admonish Cambodia’s Supreme Court’s ruling last month to dissolve the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), with the European Union and United States in the lead threatening punitive sanctions, including visa restrictions on complicit officials.
— Asia Times

New NEC members insist they are neutral
The last formal reshuffling of power following the opposition party’s dissolution was completed yesterday, as three National Election Committee members were confirmed into office and 11 additional CPP lawmakers were sworn in to the National Assembly.
— The Phnom Penh Post

US to issue visa sanctions against Cambodian officials ‘undermining democracy’
The US State Department will issue visa restrictions on individuals “involved in undermining democracy in Cambodia”, the Trump administration announced overnight yesterday, following the dissolution of the main opposition party last month and the arrest in September of former opposition leader Kem Sokha.
— The Phnom Penh Post

National Bank of Cambodia Bans Bitcoin
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) on Thursday morning released a resolution to all banks and micro-finance institutions in Cambodia to ban the trading of Crypto currency such as Bitcoin.
— Fresh News

What’s With the New Philippines-Cambodia Military Pact?
Both countries concluded a new defense agreement as they took stock of ongoing collaboration this week.
— The Diplomat

NGOs express concerns over new Prey Lang rules
Environmental NGOs expressed concerns this week about a requirement from the Ministry of Environment to get advanced permission to patrol the Prey Lang protected forest, saying doing so could lead to illegal loggers getting tipped off, given the history of collusion with officials in the area.
— The Phnom Penh Post

PM Hun Sen Has Been Nominated as the “Gobla Ambassador for Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals”
Prime Minister Hun Sen has been nominated as the “Globla Ambassador for Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals” by the European Council on Tourism and Trade.
— Fresh News

Big trouble in little China?
The coastal city of Sihanoukville is undergoing a massive transformation.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Feature photo Chris Graham/AusAID
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Cambodia morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Cambodia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.