Newsletter:
Cambodia in review
A publication of the Royal Embassy of
Cambodia to the United States
April 1998
Vol. III No 25
NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR
On this solemn and happy occasion of the Cambodian New Year, Year of the Tiger, the
staff of the Royal Embassy of
Cambodia and I would like to extend to all Cambodia in Review 's readers, Cambodian and
American friends best wishes for a
happy and prosperous Lunar New Year 2542.
The New Year has started with the sign of peace, stability and optimism. In less than
four months, the Cambodian people will
vote to choose their representatives and their leaders in a democratic election. The
National Election Committee (NEC) is busy
establishing its provincial network so that the election can be conducted smoothly and in
a free and fair atmosphere. Cambodia
also welcomes international observers to observer the forthcoming election. The United
Nations Secretary General Special
Representative in Phnom Penh, together with the NEC will coordinate activities of
international observers.
The complete pardon by His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk for Prince Ranariddh is a step
in the right direction towards
achieving peace and national reconciliation and also a goodwill shown by the Royal
Government of Cambodia (RGC). Prince
Ranariddh should seize this opportunity to promote peace and stability that the Cambodian
people aspire.
The internal division of the hard-line Khmer Rouge that led to the return of Preah
Vihear Temple to the RGC and the
collapse of Anlong Veng, the last Khmer Rouge stronghold, are a significant success of the
year. The mass defections
of Khmer Rouge soldiers to the government rank this month also confirms that sooner or
later the Khmer Rouge,
which ruled Cambodia with their iron clad from 1975 to 1978, is on the verge of total
collapse. As always, the Khmer
Rouge is at the center of all Cambodian politics. The total collapse of the Khmer Rouge
means peace and stability
returning to Cambodia.
There are several positive indications that Cambodia will be joining the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
within this year after the general elections in Cambodia. The RGC remains committed to
integrate into ASEAN. The entry into
ASEAN will create favorable conditions for Cambodia not only to promote peace and
cooperation with countries in the region
but also to integrate its economy into regional and world economy.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere and deep thanks to all American friends and
Cambodian compatriots for their
support and assistance in promoting and consolidating peace, democracy and progress in
Cambodia.
Sincerely,
Var Huoth
"Since the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has made its decision to enter this
regional Association in 1994. Cambodia
always upholds and observes its determination to regional integration, although we are
faced with many hardships and
difficulties, both politically and economically in our country," said Samdech Hun
Sen, Second Prime Minister of the RGC, at the
closure of the International Seminar on the Future of Cambodia in the Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) held
on February 20, 1998 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Seminar was organized by the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace with the
support and assistance of the
Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) of ASEAN and the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA).
Samdech Hun Sen accentuated that the above decision was one imbued with high unanimity
on the basis of recognition of the
current world trend bearing the nature of inter-dependence and globalization and was also
made after due consideration taken
into the benefit and the difficulties which Cambodia had to face when entering the
regional Association in the capacity as a
full-pledged member. It went without saying that Cambodia would enjoy great benefit as a
member of ASEAN in the spheres
of economics, politics and security. The membership of Cambodia in ASEAN would enhance
investors' confidence to make
their investments to Cambodia, giving political backing for Cambodia in international
arena, safeguarding internal stability, and
providing a regional framework for solving the country's external security problem,
especially those relating to neighboring
countries.
"We are clearly informed that to be a member of ASEAN is not without any prices.
We have to cope with great number of
difficulties. Among them are development of human resources, preparation of institutional
mechanism, legal framework, and
continuity of liberalization process in trade, industry, and investment, continuing the
reforms in legal structure, economy,
taxation, etc," continued Samdech Hun Sen.
In spite of current economic crisis in the region, there is no change to the basic
advantage and difficulty mentioned above, he
said, Cambodia is confident in a community of nations imbued with the spirit of peace and
cooperation. Cambodia has made its
mind to join this regional Association based on its will to contribute to the building of
a good community for all the nations that is
a community of peace, security, and economic development.
"Another reason, which is of great importance for us to be a member of ASEAN, is
the tradition and the principle of
non-interference into each other's internal affairs. The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation
signed in 1976 in Bali has clearly
confirmed this principle. Cambodia is willing to attach itself to this noble principle
which is inevitable during our advancement
into the 21st century. Any attempts to revise this principle will pose a threat to the
strength and confidence in this regional
Association," emphasized Samdech Hun Sen. He further stressed that Cambodia considers
this principle correct and necessary for equal international relations among various
countries in the world regardless of big or small, strong or weak, and poor and rich. It
is the respect of sovereignty and the recognition of equality among member countries of
the international community. We should bear this particular point in mind. Cambodia never
interferes into internal affairs of other countries and wishes to be equally treated.
"We welcome and are grateful to intention and efforts made by friendly countries to
help Cambodia attain peace, national reconciliation, and success in its democracy building
process as well as economic development," he further continued.
He also pointed out that the measures taken by RGC in the July incident has been
understood and sympathized by many
countries. Some countries and public opinion, however, are still being conceived by the
thought of it as a coup, a power
struggle, and ousting of a legal Premier, etc. This erroneous judgement has led to
incorrect decision. Once again Cambodian
people have been punished and the regional Association distanced itself from Cambodia.
Some powerful countries cease their
assistance while biased media cover Cambodia with horrible news.
"It takes time for those misled to see and recognize the truth. It also takes time
for them to alter decision and position towards
RGC," he said. "At present, the truth has prevailed and the mistakes of those
responsible for the July-fighting are being
perceived."
"This respects the court independence of a sovereign country. RGC cannot at all
intervene or impose on any legal matters. We
wish Prince Ranariddh's trial fair and just, and support a legitimate legal process which
will allow the Prince to achieve full
possibility and freedom to participate in the forthcoming July-98 elections after being
granted amnesty by His Majesty the
King," he added.
"Based on a view that if the forthcoming elections proceed in a free, fair and no
violence atmosphere, Cambodia will embark on
to the 21st century with peace and honor," he said. " This envisages our
determination to enter ASEAN as a country that will
bring amity and progress, and not as a country that will bring harms to this regional
family."
"The cold war era ended bringing in exchange a situation where fearful powers
become important economic and political
partners for countries in the region. We expect to associate ourselves to an Association
that respects and implements a
relationship as such, and not as between boss and staff. Cambodia is ready to make its
contribution to make the dream of
ASEAN-10 come true," concluded Samdech Hun Sen.
Message By The Co-Premiers To President Clinton
On March 28, 1998 H.E. Ung Huot, First Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation
and, H.E. Samdech Hun Sen, Second Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia sent
a letter to The Honorable
William Clinton, President of the United States of America with the following content:
His Excellency Mr. William J. Clinton
President of the United States of America
Washington D.C.
Excellency,
We have the honor to bring to the kind attention of Your Excellency that, as the term
of the National Assembly has come to
expire, the Royal Government of Cambodia will hold the legislative elections scheduled for
26 July 1998 for a new National
Assembly.
We wish also to inform Your Excellency that a National Election Commission mandated to
organize these elections, the
Constitutional Council as well as the electoral law and the political party law have been
approved by the current National
Assembly. At this moment, preparations for these elections are actively underway.
Wishing that these elections would proceed in a free and fair manner and in total
transparency, on behalf of the Royal
Government of Cambodia, we are very happy to invite your Government to send observers to
observe the whole electoral
process according to the following schedule:
28 March 1998: start of registration of political parties and
candidates at the National Election Commission.
End of April 1998: start of registration of voters
25 June-25 July 1998: electoral campaign
26 July 1998: Polling day followed by ballot counting
The United Nations Secretary General Special Representative in Phnom Penh, together
with the National Electoral
Commission, will coordinate the activities of international observers.
In view of the above election schedule, we would be most grateful to Your Excellency to
let us know as soon as possible
whether your government is considering sponsoring your election observers, and in case of
your positive response, to send us
relevant information with regard to their full names, position, date of arrival in
Cambodia etc… Entry visas will be delivered by
the nearest Royal Cambodian Embassy or upon arrival at the Pochentong International
airport in Phnom Penh.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.
Ung Huot
................................................................................................................................Hun
Sen
First Prime
Minister........................................................................................................
Second Prime Minister
And Minister of Foreign Affair
And International Cooperation
Cambodian ASEAN Membership Possible
" Cambodia will have no difficulty joining the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) after the general elections in
July," said Indonesian Foreign Minister, Ali Alatas in mid March." Its admission
was not linked to the exiled former co-prime
minister taking part in the election."
" Now we know that Prince Ranarith has a special problem, of course. We don't want
to enter into the internal affairs of
Cambodia," added Foreign Minister Alatas.
In relation to the delay of Cambodia entry into ASEAN last year, he recalled that ASEAN
entry has to do with the general
situation at that time (last July).
The Law On The Establishment Of The Constitutional Council Passed
On March 19, 1998 the National Assembly of Cambodia adopted the law on the
establishment of the Constitutional Council,
the supreme body for interpreting the legislation and examining the Constitutionality of
laws passed by the National Assembly of
Cambodia. The establishment of this body is crucial for the holding of free and fair
elections in Cambodia scheduled for July 26,
1998 since it has power to strike down laws if they're deemed illegal and, most crucially,
settle disputes relating to the elections.
The Council has nine members, three of whom are appointed by His Majesty King Norodom
Sihanouk, three by the country's
highest judicial body and three by the National Assembly.
The National Assembly Approved Election Budget
On March 11,1998 the National Assembly of Cambodia voted 80 to 5 to approve the
18-billion-riel (five million dollars)
budget which is to pay for the work of the 11-member national election committee in
supervising the July 26 election and
ensuring that it is free and fair and that Cambodia needs approximately 30million dollars
to hold that election.
Worth noticing that besides the European Union commission, Japan would provide 3
million dollars in grant-aid for election in
Cambodia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan's statement on Tuesday 2
March 1998. The money will be
provided through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to buy Japanese-made ballot
boxes and pay their
transportation fees.
In a separate trial at the military court in Phnom Penh in March 1998 Prince Norodom
Ranariddh was respectively sentenced
30-year and 5-year imprisonment in absentia and fined about US$ 54 million for the death,
damage and looting that followed
the July event in Cambodia. " Prince Ranariddh well planned to organize a coup to
overthrow the Cambodian Government and
seize power through force and this act occurred July 5-6, 1998,"declared Ney Thol,
The Judge on March 18, 1998.
Prince Ranariddh was sentenced to 30 years in jail after finding guilty in absentia of
cooperating with the Khmer Rouge to
overthrow the Government. The 15 witnesses who testified on March17, 1998, including one
former Khmer Rouge soldier told
the court that Nhiek Bun Chhay had equipped the Khmer Rouge guerrillas and ordered them to
fight the government's troops.
Other witnesses, including several former commanders and former military advisers of
Prince Ranariddh said they had been
aware of or received orders from Nhiek Bun Chhay to move their troops to the capital to
fight.
Pictures of huge quantities of confiscated guns, ammunitions, radios, a tank and an
armored personnel carrier were on display in
the courtroom. The three defendants Nhiek Bun Chhay, Serei Kosal and Chao Sambath,
Prince's military commander and
military and security advisers respectively were sentenced in absentia to 20 years in
prison each. The trial was based on the
existing laws and the law to ban Khmer Rouge passed in 1994 and the 1992 law on organized
crime and conspiracy.
On March 4, 1998 a military court in Phnom Penh found Prince Ranariddh guilty of
smuggling weapons and in his absence
sentenced him to five years in prison. "The court accepts all the testimony and
evidence presented by the witnesses and the
prosecution," said Ney Thol. "The prince was the leader of this operation, using
his personal rights as Prime Minister to buy the
weapons and trying to deceive the authorities by labeling them falsely. If the government
could not have stop this it would have
brought more danger to the country."
Nhiek Bun Chhay was given a four-year prison term and Thach Soeung, Prince's chief
bodyguard, was given a two-year
suspended sentence on the ground that he was an accomplice to the crimes and he was
following the orders from his boss.
They have two months to appeal the verdict otherwise it will stand.
Complete Pardon Granted To Prince Ranariddh
" I order that a complete pardon must be granted to Prince Norodom Ranariddh who
was condemned through the verdicts of
the Phnom Penh military court on March 4and March 18," His Majesty King Norodom
Sihanouk wrote in the decree granting
the amnesties on March 21, 1998. " The Council of Ministers and the Ministries of
Justice and Interior were ordered to
implement the decree immediately. "
In a letter addressed to His Majesty the King on March 21, 1998, Samdech Hun Sen,
Second Prime Minister requested His
Majesty the King to pardon completely all punishments… against Prince Ranariddh and
to free him from the court verdict. "
Only this kind of request can show that no one has the intention to block the return and
participation in July election of Prince
Ranariddh," Samdech Hun Sen said in the letter.
The pardon has paved the way for Prince Ranariddh' s return to Cambodia to attend the
general election scheduled to take
place on July 26, 1998.
Private Air Service Between Cambodia And Taiwan Signed
On March 17, 1998, Mr. Yin Chan, Chairman of the Phnom Penh Airlines Association and
Mr. Frank Hsu, Chairman of the
Taipei Airlines Association, signed an Agreement on Exchange of Traffic Rights between the
two Associations.
The Agreement is a private commercial transportation arrangement according to which the
air route between Cambodia and
Taiwan will be operated by a private airline from each side for carrying passengers and
cargo. Aircraft, offices of airline
companies and flight directories of each side will not bear any names, flags, insignias,
symbol or codes of an official nature.
Airline staff or crewmembers will not wear any uniforms or dress of any official
governmental nature.
The establishment of private air services will boost the private economic sector,
tourism and cultural exchange between
Cambodia and Taiwan.