[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 46 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                CAMBODIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 1997

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, a couple of months ago, I took part in a 
congressional delegation that traveled to Cambodia. It was a distinctly 
unique opportunity to visit a country where the people democracy has 
taken root, although not without its fair share of difficulties, and 
has begun to grow and mature with the assistance of the United States.
  First of all, I want to commend our fellow Americans in the United 
States Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, especially Ambassador Kenneth 
Quinn and Edward Birgell of the Agency for International Development. 
They have done an outstanding job in less than ideal circumstances, and 
I strongly believe that the growth of democracy in Cambodia is due in 
no small part to their efforts.
  Ambassador Quinn and his colleagues at the United States Embassy play 
a pivotal role in Cambodia's development. Under Ambassador Quinn's 
guidance, they work on a number of extremely important initiatives. 
They provide assistance to Cambodia to rebuild the judicial system and 
implement the rule of law. They coordinate POW/MIA efforts with the 
Cambodian Government. They helped Cambodia draft labor laws in 
accordance with international standards. Most importantly, they are 
heavily involved with establishing and strengthening the democratic 
processes, which provides permanence to their work in Cambodia. Their 
achievements are truly remarkable, and I salute each and every one of 
them.
  As most of you know, Cambodia has had a difficult time in the last 
few decades--a tumultuous history to say the least. In 1975, the 
country was torn apart and nearly decimated by the genocidal Khmer 
Rouge. The turbulent civil wars punctuated by short periods of rest did 
not end until the United Nations [U.N.] sponsored the October 1991 
peace treaty followed by U.N.-supervised elections in 1993. As a result 
of the elections, a new democratically elected government headed by two 
prime ministers was established. This ``power-sharing'' arrangement, 
although somewhat unwieldy, was necessary to maintain the fragile 
partnership and put Cambodia in a positive direction for the last 5 
years--a generally forward-looking, fledgling democracy with market-
based economic policies, free press, multiparty political system, and 
nongovernmental organizations. It is fair to say that the last several 
years have been Cambodia's most peaceful and productive period in the 
20th century.
  Ripped apart by civil wars, the people of Cambodia are in the midst 
of rebuilding their nation. Cambodia still bears wounds from those past 
internal conflicts. For instance, the country is still a huge 
minefield. About 1 in 10 Cambodians have been injured by landmines. 
While there is a concerted effort to remove the landmines--over 1,500 
people are employed specifically for this task--at the current pace, it 
will still take at least several decades. Still they persevere.

  Unfortunately, the U.N.-brokered fragile partnership by necessity is 
rapidly fraying at the edges. With the 1998 national elections right 
around the corner, cooperation between the two prime ministers has 
almost ceased. The results are dramatic. Human and civil rights 
violations are rising and corruption is running rampant. These factors 
increase the political and economic risks resulting in a slowdown in 
foreign investment and aid. The downward spiral will result only in 
chaos.
  This dramatic downturn deeply concerns me, for it undermines all the 
hard work of Ambassador Quinn and his colleagues in the U.S. Embassy to 
keep the peace. In my conversations and meetings with them, I was 
deeply impressed with their conviction and devotion to the Cambodian 
people. They have made tremendous personal sacrifices. In many cases, 
their families are unable to join them in Cambodia. Also, they work in 
facilities that are in dire need of improvements. I saw facilities that 
would not pass OSHA regulations here in the United States, and it 
deeply concerns me that our fellow Americans must work in such 
conditions. Moreover, Embassy staff are at a security risk, for there 
have been numerous threats against their lives. We should all be 
extremely proud that this group of devoted people represents us and our 
interests in Cambodia. They represent the epitome of public service.
  It also undermines all of the hard work that the Cambodian people 
have put in--paid for by their blood, sweat, tears, and untold number 
of lives. They are amazing. I can honestly say that I have never seen a 
more inspired and hard working group than the people of Cambodia. Their 
resilience and perseverance deeply moved me. Over a million Cambodians 
were killed in one of the bloodiest genocides in history, yet they 
still persevere. Human and civil rights violations rise, yet they still 
persevere. Political violence occurs more and more frequently, yet they 
still persevere.
  They persevere because the burning fire of eternal optimism in the 
face of insurmountable odds resides in the Cambodian people. I saw it 
in their faces. I heard it in their voices. I felt it in their deeds. 
They persevere because they have suffered under a totalitarian regime. 
And now, they have tasted democracy and have seen the shining city on 
the hill. They look to America and see the nation that Cambodia can 
be--a nation of freedom and opportunity. They look forward with the 
hope of a better tomorrow. They have tasted democracy, and they have no 
wish to go back.
  We must reaffirm our commitment to Cambodia by fully supporting our 
Embassy in Cambodia. We must provide them with the resources necessary 
to do their job effectively. In the coming months as we consider the 
annual appropriation bills, I strongly urge my colleagues to consider 
the situations of our fellow Americans working in the Embassy and our 
Cambodian friends. Ambassador Quinn and his colleagues are promoting 
the basic ideals that form the core of our Nation in the great 
democratic tradition--the ideals that make America the greatest nation 
in the world. Let us do all that we can to give them the support they 
deserve.

                          ____________________