MIA search suspension formalised

Cambodia’s top military commander yesterday officially suspended a programme with the US to find the remains of American military personnel who went missing in action during the Vietnam War.

Military Commander in Chief General Pol Saroeun ordered provincial and municipal authorities to pause searches “until further orders” in a statement.

The move is the latest in a series of retaliatory measures between the two countries over deportations of Cambodian citizens convicted of felonies while living in the US. Earlier this month, the US said it would stop issuing visas for certain Cambodian officials after the Kingdom refused to accept some of those deportees.

Soon after, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the MIA search programme would be suspended until relations had improved. According to the prime minister, about half of the roughly 80 American soldiers who died in Cambodia during the war remained missing.

The US Embassy in Phnom Penh confirmed yesterday that it had received notification of the suspension, but declined to comment further.

Contact authors: Daphne Chen and Mech Dara

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