US House Rep Richardson on Four-Day Visit to Cambodia

Congresswoman Laura Richardson at her local swearing-in ceremony, flanked by Port of Long Beach Commissioner, Dr. Mike Walters and California State University, Long Beach President, Dr. F. King Alexander. (Photo: Courtesy of Laura Richardson)

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Friday, 31 December 2010

“ ... assess the political, social and economic situation of Cambodia and analyze the importance of the region to the US.”

California Democratic Representative Laura Richardson is in Cambodia for a four-day fact-finding mission to Cambodia.

A staff member for her office in Washington said Richardson, whose 37th district includes much of Long Beach, would “assess the political, social and economic situation of Cambodia and analyze the importance of the region to the US.”

Richardson's visit follows a high-profile trip by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in November and amid the growing influence of China in the region.

Richardson, who is a member of the House of Representative's Homeland Security Committee, is expected to meet with officials from the Foreign Ministry, business community and anti-trafficking and counter-terrorism authorities.

Cambodia has been cooperative with the US's fight against terrorism, but it remains on a watch list for human trafficking. Richardson is scheduled to leave Saturday