Login Register

Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - US picks new chief envoy to Kingdom

US picks new chief envoy to Kingdom

| Publication date 09 April 2015 | 06:52 ICT

US picks new chief envoy to Kingdom

US president Barack Obama yesterday announced his intent to nominate William Heidt as the country’s next ambassador to Cambodia.

According to a statement released by the White House, Heidt, a “career member of the Foreign Service”, is currently the executive assistant to the under-secretary for economic growth, energy and the environment at the US State Department.

Heidt’s experience in the region included posts in Indonesia and Cambodia. He had previously served as an economic and commercial officer at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh from 1997 to 1999. He was also a finance and development officer and an economic counsellor at the embassy in Jakarta from 2000 to 2003 and 2004 to 2007, respectively.

Heidt will replace current Ambassador William Todd, who has been serving in Cambodia since 2012.

Todd has recently pushed Cambodia to allow Montagnards, a Christian minority whose members have been fleeing Vietnam in favour of the Kingdom due to persecution, access to “internationally accepted asylum procedures”. He also writes a column for the English-language Cambodian news portal the Cambodia Herald.

Contact author: Ethan Harfenist

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

Related articles