[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S13691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           CAMBODIA KILLINGS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, an article in last week's New York 
Times highlighting the continued problem of wildlife poaching in 
Cambodia. A conservation expert predicted that within the next 3 to 5 
years several species will cease to be biologically viable. Without a 
doubt, this is a legitimate concern and I applaud efforts to protect 
these endangered species.
  But there are other species which may be endangered that the New York 
Times did not cite--these species are called ``Cambodian democrats''.
  The killing of democracy activists in Cambodia deserve increase 
attention from the press and the international community. A total of 11 
political activists and candidates from the royalist FUNCINPEC party 
and the opposition Sam Rainsy Party have been killed in the runup to 
local election scheduled for February, 2002.
  Officials from the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) have blamed 
these murders on witchcraft and business deals gone sour. This is 
poppycock. Diplomats in Phnom Penh must show some spine in demanding 
the CPP to cease the killings and to hold credible and competitive 
elections--something they did not do prior to the 1998 parliamentary 
elections. I hope that the importance of free and fair commune 
elections in 2002 and parliamentary elections in 2003 is not lost on 
this crowd, who seem more willing to embrace ``stability'' at the 
expense of democracy and the rule of law. Long term development in 
Cambodia is possible only under new and dynamic leadership.
  There will come a day when the CPP is held accountable for its 
extrajudicial and corrupt activities. This Senator has not forgotten 
those killed and injured in the horrific grenade attack against the 
democratic opposition in March 1997--nor American Ron Abney, injured by 
shrapnel and who continues to bear physical reminders of that awful 
day. I have not forgotten the 100 FUNCINPEC supporters killed during 
the July 1997 coup d'etat organized and executed by CPP Prime Minister 
Hun Sen. Nor have I forgotten those killed and injured during the July 
1998 elections. I ask Hun Sen: what kind of government kills Buddhist 
monks?
  The international community can be part of the problem or part of the 
solution. It is past time they held the CPP and Prime Minister Hun Sen 
accountable for their repressive actions. Failure to do so will ensure 
that ``Cambodian democrats'' will join the list of species facing 
extinction in this Southeast Asian nation.

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