phnom penh cambodia hit back thursday u.s. criticism decision expel u.s.-funded pro-democracy group accuse washington political interference describe american democracy bloody brutal prime minister hun sen strongman rule cambodia three decades take strident anti-american line increasingly tense run 2018 election u.s. state department criticize cambodia decision expel national democratic institute ndi wednesday statement u.s. embassy phnom penh question whether cambodia democracy open letter thursday cambodian government ask whether unite state come cambodia help hind khmer people blame contribute rise genocidal khmer rouge 1970s cambodians well aware democratic process mean need tell us letter say describe u.s.-style democracy bloody brutal wish send clear message u.s. embassy defend national sovereignty add tensions rise anew cambodia right group unite nations express alarm opposition accuse hun sen persecution ahead next year election government order expel ndi threat shut newspaper found american journalist pay back tax immediately u.s. state department voice concern government curtail freedom press civil society ability operate government supporters threaten protest u.s. embassy phnom penh pro-government fresh news web site report thursday protest likely large scale u.s. embassy phnom penh like 1960s american interference cambodia sovereignty say cite anonymous government source spillover u.s. war neighbor vietnam 1960s 70s help bring power khmer rouge regime whose rule mark genocide least 1.8 million cambodians starvation torture disease execution hun sen former khmer rouge commander one china close regional ally warn possible return war party win elections statement website wednesday ndi call cambodia reconsider decision shut institute say work major party work strictly nonpartisan ndi president kenneth wollack say ndi fulfil legal obligations registration hun sen also target local media right group say grow crackdown ahead election cambodia ministry information wednesday revoke license local radio station sell air time opposition cambodia national rescue party station also rent space u.s. government-financed voice america voa english news outlet cambodia accuse u.s. political interference call u.s. democracy 'bloody brutal