[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14998-14999]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       LET'S NOT FORGET CAMBODIA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, Secretary of State Colin Powell is in 
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for an annual ASEAN meeting. There are many 
issues he needs to pursue with ASEAN members, including, most urgently,

[[Page 14999]]

support for the struggle for freedom in Burma.
  Also pressing is the fate of democracy in Cambodia. Secretary Powell 
must be clear to all Cambodian democrats that the United States stands 
firmly and publicly with them in our common cause of democracy and the 
rule of law. Secretary Powell should make it a point to meet with the 
democrats during his short stay in Phnom Penh.
  It is in America's national interest, and that of Cambodia, that new 
leadership--firmly committed to transparency, accountability and 
justice--is elected in upcoming parliamentary elections next month.
  The ruling Cambodian People's Party, CPP, and its earlier 
manifestations have had an opportunity--nearly a quarter of a century--
to develop that country. Their records is unimpressive, at best. Crimes 
are committed with impunity, corruption is endemic and extends to the 
highest office, and lawlessness provides a breeding ground for 
terrorism and other criminal activities.
  Under CPP Prime Minister Hun Sen's leadership, opposition rallies 
have been attacked by grenade-throwing terrorists, a coalition 
government disintegrated in a coup d'etat, and government-paid 
gangsters, the Pagoda Boys, caused $50 million worth of damage in anti-
Thai riots that were fueled by Hun Sen's reckless nationalistic 
comments.
  Secretary Powell should temper his comments praising the Cambodian 
Government for cracking down on terrorism. The reason terrorists are on 
Cambodian soil is because of the very lawlessness perpetuated by the 
CPP. Hun Sen has swatted a few flies recently, but is directly 
responsible for leaving the screen door wide open. A more serious 
response to terrorism in the region is freedom and the rule of law for 
the Cambodian people.
  While in Phnom Penh, Secretary Powell must push for free and fair 
elections in July. Opposition parties must not be denied access to 
media or the ability to conduct rallies, demonstrations, and other 
forms of free expression. Secretary Powell must make clear to Hun Sen 
that a single, additional political killing is one too many, and that 
the election will be judged by international standards--which, contrary 
to the Prime Minister's thinking, is not reserved only for sports 
competition.
  Let me close by saying that it has come to my attention that the 
ASEAN meeting is taking place at the Intercontinental Hotel, which is 
owned by Theng Bunma--a suspected Cambodian drug king pin and self-
described financier of the 1997 coup. This epitomizes all that is wrong 
in Cambodia today.
  Mr. President, I ask that a letter from Cambodian opposition leader 
Sam Rainsy to Secretary Powell calling for Suu Kyi's immediate release 
be printed in the Record following my remarks.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                          Kingdom of Cambodia,

                                                    June 13, 2002.
     Colin L. Powell,
     Secretary of State,
     U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC.
     c/o HE Mr. Charles Ray,
     U.S. Ambassador,
     U.S. Embassy, Phnom-Penh, Cambodia.
       Dear Secretary Powell: I would like to take this 
     opportunity to express my appreciation for your statement 
     calling for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and 
     increased pressure on Burma's military junta. The struggle 
     led by Suu Kyi is an inspiration to all those who live in 
     fear under repressive regimes, and to those who fight 
     everyday for freedom and democracy. I proudly join you in the 
     call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and hope that you 
     will use the opportunity of your visit to Cambodia for the 
     ASEAN Regional Forum to press for an end to the suffering of 
     the Burmese people.
       The fate of Aung Sun Suu Kyi and Burma's democracy is 
     indelibly linked to the future success of the ASEAN region. 
     The transition from communism and military dictatorship to 
     democracy would bring untold political, economic and cultural 
     benefits to one of the most diverse and potentially dynamic 
     regions in the world. In this context your statement that 
     those who oppress democracy must not be allowed to prevail 
     has particular resonance.
       In Cambodia, we are struggling to end endemic poverty, 
     reduce appalling illiteracy rates and to provide basic 
     nutritional needs to our children. This struggle is made all 
     the more difficult by a government more committed to 
     consolidating its own power than to the welfare of its 
     people. While offering a facade of progress and stability to 
     donors and the international community, the government has 
     used fear and violence to support a lucrative patronage 
     system, exploit our natural resources and suppress opposition 
     voices. It was just today that the latest victim, a garment 
     worker protesting low wages and poor factory conditions, was 
     shot and killed by government riot police as they cracked 
     down on a peaceful demonstration.
       Unlike in Burma, the Cambodian people will have the 
     opportunity to go to the polls in July to change their 
     leadership. They must be allowed to do so in an environment 
     free from fear and intimidation. But already we have seen 
     that the current government is willing to use the tools of 
     fear and violence to suppress the Cambodian people's desire 
     for freedom and democracy. This year's electoral process is 
     already flawed by biased elections commission, restrictions 
     on voter registration, restrictive media access and ongoing 
     intimidation of opposition activists. The potential for 
     democracy in Cambodia is being thwarted by this government 
     and it must realize that, ``its actions will not be allowed 
     to stand.''
       As you prepare to participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum 
     in Phnom Penh next week, I trust that you will continue to 
     provide a strong and leading voice for the release of Aung 
     San Suu Kyi. At the same time, I ask that you use the same 
     strong voice to advocate for credible elections in Cambodia--
     elections that reflect the true will of the Cambodian people.
           Sincerely,

                                                   Sam Rainsy,

                               Leader of Parliamentary Opposition,
     Kingdom of Cambodia.

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