US President Donald Trump has expressed gratitude to Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet for nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, while praising Cambodia’s role in securing peace with Thailand after weeks of deadly clashes along the border.
In a letter dated August 20, President Trump thanked the Cambodian leader for his “kind letters” and the nomination, describing it as a “great honor.”
“It was a great honor to speak with you to help end the fighting with Thailand,” Trump wrote.
“Cambodia has a long and storied history and culture. I can tell that you are a strong leader who values human life and appreciates peace. I am proud to be a part of the cease-fire deal that ended the horrible fighting and saved thousands of lives.”
Hun Manet posted Trump’s letter on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
The US president, who is reportedly seeking another Nobel Peace Prize nomination following earlier attempts during his first term, framed the recent Cambodia–Thailand truce as a major diplomatic achievement.
“Now we can focus on prosperity for our two great countries,” he added.
The letter marks the first public acknowledgment from Washington of Trump’s direct role in the ceasefire that ended cross-border hostilities earlier this month.
On August 7, Hun Manet revealed that he had nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, lauding his "extraordinary statesmanship" in halting a border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.
Hun Manet said in his letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee that Trump’s intervention was an example of his "exceptional achievements in de-escalating tensions in some of the world's most volatile regions."
"This timely intervention, which averted a potentially devastating conflict, was vital in preventing a great loss of lives and paved the way towards the restoration of peace," the Cambodian leader wrote.
It was a July 26 call by Trump to the leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia that broke the deadlock in efforts to end some of the heaviest fighting between the neighbours in recent history.
That led to a ceasefire negotiated in Malaysia on July 28. The two countries agreed on Thursday to ensure there would be no reigniting of hostilities and to allow observers from Southeast Asia.
