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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cambodia suspending U.S. MIA searches over visa ban

Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen says he will retaliate against a U.S. halt on the issuing of visas to senior foreign ministry officials and their families by suspending missions by U.S. military-led teams searching for the remains of Americans missing in action from the Vietnam War.

Cambodia’s pro-government Fresh News website reported Thursday that Hun Sen said cooperation with the United States on the MIA search would be suspended until the two countries resolve several issues, especially the visa ban. Government spokesman Phay Siphan confirmed the report.

The U.S. government lists 48 Americans still unaccounted for in Cambodia.

The U.S. Embassy instituted the visa ban on Wednesday, saying that Cambodia had refused or delayed accepting Cambodian nationals being deported by the United States after being convicted of crimes.