The US Navy Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) will be docked in Preah Sihanouk province from December 16-20. Hong Raksmey
Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command and a distinguished US Naval aviator, shared his insights on the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, as he addressed the media at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) earlier today.
Paparo approached the sensitive subject of the base with a tone of respect and diplomacy, emphasising the United States' acknowledgment of Cambodia's sovereignty and its right to make independent decisions regarding its own development and international partnerships.
“How do I think about the Ream Naval Base development? First, I think about it as a matter of respect for Cambodia's sovereignty and Cambodia's own choices,” he said, as he spoke at the December 18 press conference.
“And so as Cambodia embarks upon its own development, Cambodia has its own choices to make as it builds out Ream and its own relationships through the region,” he added.
Paparo underscored the US commitment to fostering a relationship with Cambodia based on mutual respect and equality.
He noted that the partnership, which has spanned nearly 75 years, is not about countering any other nation's influence but about continuing a history of collaboration and people-to-people connections.
The admiral acknowledged Cambodia’s growing relationship with China, which has been linked to Ream Naval Base in recent years.
However, he maintained a neutral and open-minded stance, expressing a “wait-and-see” approach to China's activities at the base, which remain undefined.
Rear Admiral Mey Dina, Commander of Ream Naval Base (left), shakes hand with Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on December 18. Hong Raksmey
“Cambodia's relationship with the People's Republic of China is one that we respect,” he said.
“When the time comes, we would like to perhaps make a port visit to Ream as we learn more about the Chinese activities there, which are yet to be determined,” he continued.
Paparo highlighted the importance of not framing the US-Cambodia relationship as adversarial toward other nations, particularly China.
Instead, he emphasised the long-standing ties between Washington and Phnom Penh, which include 27 visits by naval vessels since 2007 and significant contributions to bilateral programmes and humanitarian efforts.
“Our relationship with Cambodia is not about countering anyone,” he said, adding, “It is a relationship on its own terms, founded on mutual respect, sovereignty, and equality”.
As a graduate of the Navy's prestigious “Top Gun” programme, Pennsylvania native Paparo brings a wealth of experience, including over 6,000 flight hours in advanced fighter aircraft and more than 1,100 carrier landings, to his role overseeing a critical geopolitical region.
The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) will be docked at PAS in Preah Sihanouk province from December 16-20, 2024.
