[by:www.21voa.com]
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[00:00.04]America's top diplomat was in Cambodia Tuesday
[00:04.32]on the second stop of his trip to Asia.
[00:07.96]Secretary of State John Kerry met with Cambodian government leaders
[00:13.88]and opposition party members in Phnom Penh.
[00:17.76]Kerry said the country has improved its human rights record
[00:21.81]and made economic progress.
[00:24.80]But he said he told officials that he was concerned
[00:29.08]about continued human rights violations.
[00:33.96]Kerry met separately with Prime Minister Hun Sen
[00:38.28]and acting opposition party leader Kem Sokha.
[00:42.48]After the meetings, the U.S. official said that
[00:46.40]"democratic governments have a responsibility
[00:50.00]to ensure that all elected representatives
[00:53.61]are free to perform their responsibilities
[00:56.64]without fear of attack or arrest."
[01:00.12]Seventeen opposition members and activists are jailed in Cambodia.
[01:05.84]Opposition leader Sam Rainsy is living in self-declared exile
[01:11.72]to avoid charges made against him.
[01:15.20]Many observers believe the charges are unfair.
[01:19.00]And rights groups say the United States
[01:22.56]should not improve relations with Cambodia
[01:25.52]until its leaders guarantee reforms.
[01:29.76]Secretary Kerry also praised Cambodia for its economic progress.
[01:35.24]He told the prime minister that
[01:37.60]"Cambodia has experienced remarkable growth.
[01:41.68]You have seen incredible changes
[01:44.56]-- not just here in Phnom Penh,
[01:47.12]which moved from a 350,000-person war-torn city
[01:52.24]to a much more modern city of 2.2 million people."
[01:57.24]I'm Ashley Thompson.