Russian PM Visits Angkor Wat on Cambodia Trip

Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev will meet with Hun Sen later; the two are expected to sign six agreements.

FILE - Tourists walk along the outer wall of Angkor Wat, reflected in its moat in Siem Reap. Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev visited the complex before heading on to Phnom Penh, where he will meet Cambodian leader Hun Sen.

VOA News, Associated Press

23 November 2015

PHNOM PENH—

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev privately toured Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat complex Monday, beginning a state visit protected with heavy security.

Cambodia deployed more than 10,000 police and soldiers for Medvedev's sightseeing and official meetings on his three-day visit.

After seeing the ancient temples in the city of Siem Reap, he was scheduled to fly to the capital ahead of a meeting with Cambodian leader Hun Sen on Tuesday.

Russian authorities requested privacy for the sightseeing portion of Medvedev's trip, asking the Foreign Ministry “not to send or allow” any media to cover his visit to Angkor Wat or to the Grand Palace in the capital, the ministry said in a statement.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said the 10,000 security forces would be divided among Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to ensure “full protection” for Medvedev.

Medvedev and Hun Sen were expected to sign six agreements, including one on the exchange of information about money laundering and terrorism funding.