[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 97 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REGARDING THE CAMBODIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. LEACH

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to note that Cambodia is scheduled to 
hold its National Assembly elections on July 27, 2003, and to express 
our hopes and concerns that the electoral process be free and fair. The 
United States is strongly committed, not to a particular outcome in 
those elections, but to a credible process that is fair in its 
administration and execution, and free of the violence, intimidation, 
and alleged fraud that sadly have marred other elections since the 1997 
coup in that country.
  On June 10, 2003, the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held a 
hearing on ``Recent Developments in Southeast Asia'' that focused in 
part on the upcoming Cambodian elections. While there have been 
improvements in recent years, such as an updated Electoral Law and a 
new National Election Committee, certain credible concerns persist. 
Experts at our hearing and other observers have questioned the 
independence of the Election Committee, complained of opposition 
politicians' lack of access to Cambodian mass media, and raised 
concerns about continuing political violence. In February, Om Radsady, 
an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen, was assassinated. That 
same month, at least two other dissidents were detained on frail 
allegations that they were responsible for inciting the January 29, 
2003 anti-Thai riots in Phnom Penh, during which the Thai Embassy was 
attacked and damaged. These incidents underscore the need for further 
vigilance.
  For these reasons, I join the U.S. Department of State in calling on 
the Government of Cambodia to prevent all forms of election coercion 
and to prosecute perpetrators of violence. I also share the 
Department's hope that the Cambodian National Election Committee will 
demonstrate its neutrality and independence, fulfill its promise of 
equal media access, and act rapidly to deal with allegations of 
irregularities during the 30-day election campaign period, on polling 
day, and during the ballot counting process.
  The people of the United States share the aspirations of the people 
of Cambodia to free expression, self-determination, and the development 
of an election administration that commands confidence across Cambodian 
society. We sincerely hope that the July 27 elections will be an 
important step in that process.

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