Cambodian PM: Michelle Obama's visit to promote education was U.S. 'just playing around'

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has criticized Michelle Obama's recent visit to the country, saying that without providing scholarships for female students, the U.S. is "just playing around."

Hun made the remarks in a speech at the National Institute of Education, asking USAID and the U.S. Embassy to provide scholarship money for Cambodian students. His remarks came after Michelle Obama visited Cambodia on Saturday and met with 10 female students to promote the White House's initiative to "Let Girls Learn."

"Her mission is very good, but I suggest the United States should help completely and not play like this," Hun Sen said in his speech. "It is just playing around — it is not good. What if she chose 300 students? It would be death. I don't have that money to give."

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Hun Sen added that he provided the 10 students each $1,500 for college, but said he thought the U.S. would sponsor the girls' education.

As for America's part, U.S. Embassy spokesman Jay Raman told The Phnom Penh Post that the initiative was to promote awareness and local action, but there was never a promise of scholarships.