Newsletter:
Cambodia in review
A publication of the Royal Embassy of
Cambodia to the United States
December 1st, 1997
Vol. II No 22
Cambodia On The Road Toward Free And Fair Elections
The commitments of the Royal Government of Cambodia to hold free and fair elections and to
guarantee the safe return and participation in the elections of the self-exiled members of
National Assembly and politicians have been warmly welcomed by the international community
and reflect the Government's willingness to address the current issues in pursuit of its
goal to keep the country on the democratic road.
It was reported that the UN Secretary General's Representative in Cambodia, H.E.Mr. Lakhan Mehrotra had said on November 7, 1997, that guarantees provided by the Royal Government of Cambodia for the safe return of the exiled politicians appeared genuine and satisfactory.
The Representative urged Prince Ranariddh's supporters to return to Cambodia to participate in a parliamentary debate on the framework for the next year's national election.
"They can criticize the Government from abroad, but they cannot make an impact on the process of legislation," Mr. Mehrotra was quoted as having said of the 15 Cambodian National Assembly members who have remained abroad since the July 5-6 events.
To help ensure the safety of returning politicians, the United Nations offered to provide U.N. observers to monitor their security, while the bodyguards provided by the Royal Government of Cambodia would be responsible for their physical protection, stated Mr. Mehrotra.
The Government's guarantees, in combination with the efforts made by Mr. Mehrotra, are likely to bring good results in the very near future.
The Australian Foreign Affairs Department has also welcomed the commitments clearly made by the Royal Government of Cambodia regarding the holding of free and fair elections scheduled in 1998, and the guarantees for the safe return and participation in the Cambodian political life of the self-exiled politicians as well. The Department regarded all those commitments as an important first step in addressing the Cambodian current issues.
"I warmly welcome commitments recently given by Cambodian leaders concerning the participation in the elections of politicians currently outside the country," said the Australian Foreign Affairs Department in its Media releases of November 5, 1997.
Referring to the October 22, 1997 letter sent by Cambodian two Prime Ministers, H.E.Mr. Ung Huot and H.E. Samdech Hun Sen, to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the release said that the commitments contained in that letter were "not only setting out their commitment to holding elections as scheduled in 1998, but also making a clear commitment to providing sufficient guarantees for political exiles to return and participate in the elections."
" The Australian Government encourage all those Cambodian politicians currently overseas to take this letter, and the UN's offer, into serious consideration in deciding to return and to take part in the 1998 national elections," continued the Australian Foreign Affairs Department Media Release, adding that "The letter from the Cambodian leaders to the UN Secretary General is an important first step in addressing these issues."
" There is considerable optimism in the international community that the commitments in the letter provide sufficient assurances for all politicians currently outside the country to return," stressed the Australian Foreign Affairs Department.
With regard to the Australian assistance, the Department said " The Australian Government already has in place a A$500,000 package of electoral assistance for Cambodia. Two members of the Australian Electoral Commission have just been in Cambodia providing assistance in the rehabilitation of the UNTAC computer system to facilitate the voter registration process."
As far as the preparation for elections is concerned, the Government, the National Assembly, and other state institutions are doing their best to put in place all legislation and processes needed to ensure free and fair elections. The political party law, which is a legal base for the registration of political parties for the poll, was adopted on October 28, 1997. The National Assembly is debating on the draft of election law. Once the election law is adopted, the establishment of the National Election Committee and the voter registration process will follow. The formation of the Supreme Council of Magistracy is underway after receiving the green light from His Majesty the King. The formation of the Supreme Council of Magistracy will open the way for the creation of the Constitutional Council.
The European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan, etc. have also welcomed the Cambodian Government's willingness.
These encouraging facts help ensure that Cambodia is on the road toward free and fair elections.
Var Huoth
Ambassador
Japan Will Continue Assistance to Cambodia
Cambodia 's Second Prime Minister, H. E. Samdech Hun Sen, paid a private visit to Japan from November 5-10, 1997 for his medical check-up.
During his stay in Tokyo, the Second Prime Minister held discussions with Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi, Finance Minister Hiriji Mitsuzuka, members of Diet and Government from different political parties, and certain Japanese businessmen.
In the discussions, Second Prime Minster Hun Sen briefed the Japanese side regarding the situation in Cambodia and the measures taken by the Government to bring back stability, to build up a political atmosphere of neutrality and security, and to put in place electoral mechanisms aimed at ensuring a free, fair, and just election in 1998.
The second Prime Minister also stressed the effort made by the Government to create favorable conditions so that a small number of self-exiled members of the National Assembly and politicians could return and participate in political life and the next elections.
As far as the case of Prince Ranariddh is concerned, Second Prime Minister said that he could take part in the elections by passing through the court and an amnesty granted by the King.
Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto told Second Prime Minister that the friendship between Cambodia and Japan had not been broken despite the July events in the country. "Japan will continue assistance to Cambodia," said the premier, adding "Japan would actively assist Cambodia in holding the planned elections."
On November 7, 1997, Second Prime Minister Hun Sen held a press conference and
explained at great length the current situation in Cambodia and the government's
preparation for holding free and fair elections. A communiqué distributed stated:
"While political parties inside the country are resuming their activities and the
returned members of National Assembly and Government, and politicians confirmed the
normalcy of all the institutions, the National Assembly adopted already the Law on
Political Parties and is debating on the Electoral Law. The first meeting of the Supreme
Council of the Magistracy, prerequisite for the formation of the Constitutional Council
will soon convene. These are all the required legal frameworks and organizations to secure
a democratic and pluralistic election and to strengthen the state ruled by law.
"In order to have the elections participated by as many political parties as possible, and taking into consideration the political life of a small number of exiled members of the National Assembly and Government, the two Prime Ministers of the Cambodian Royal Government, on October 22, 1997, sent a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations assuring the safety be guaranteed for their returns to political life and participation in the elections. As for its part, the Government guarantees respect of their parliamentary immunities and other political leaders' freedom from arrest and detention in respect of acts done and words spoken prior to their return, and thereafter in respect of acts and words committed in connection with their electoral activities.
"With an independent electoral mechanism, from top to the bottom, along with national and international observers to be coordinated by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Phnom Penh, the Royal Government would like to re-ascertain that in a political atmosphere of neutrality and security all politicians would be free from threats and intimidation for their political and electoral performances, especially their freedom for movement, expression and electoral campaign which are inscribed in the Constitution, the Law on Political Parties, and the Electoral Law."
"Ranariddh committed acts against the law prior to leaving the country. So it is quite different from the case of other members of National Assembly and Government. The court of law is independent. Therefore, the Royal Government could not assure for Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh that the trial be held or not, or that he would be convicted or not. In case the trial is carried out with the verdict that Ranariddh is really convicted and if Ranariddh requests amnesty from the King, then I, in my capacity as one of the Prime Ministers of the Royal Government, would not object to the said process," added the communiqué.
Cambodia-France Relationship Remains
Untouched
A Cambodian high delegation, led by H.E. Mr. Ung Huot and H.E. Samdech Hun Sen, respectively First and Second Prime Minister, attended the Francophone Summit which was held in Hanoi on November 14-15, 1997 with the participation of national leaders from 49 Francophone countries.
While seeing off the delegation at Pochentong International Airport, H.E. Mr. Gildes Le Lidec, French Ambassador to Cambodia, told reporters that the participation of the Cambodian two Prime Ministers in the Summit was an opportunity for the Royal Government of Cambodia.
"They have had some problems with the United Nations and International donors," said the Ambassador, adding, "It is an opportunity for them to explain the situation in Cambodia."
Ambassador Le Lidec also added that the presence of Om Radsady, a member of the Cambodian National Assembly of the FUNCINPEC party who recently returned from self-exile, on the delegation testified to the positive progress in efforts to solve the Cambodian crisis.
During their participation in the Summit, the First and Second Prime Minister held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic of France, which focused on the current situation in Cambodia, the forthcoming general elections, and the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Cambodian Economy and Finance Minister, H.E. Mr. Keat Chhon, who accompanied the delegation, told reporters after the meeting that the warm relationship between Cambodia and France had not been affected by the recent events in Cambodia.
"The relationship is sound and we share good relations, mutual benefit," said Minister Keat Chhon, adding that France was sponsoring an expansion of Pochentong International Airport, which was damaged in the July events.
France and Malaysia Share Hopes for
Cambodian Situation
It was reported that French President Jacques Chirac told a joint news conference on November 17, 1997 after two rounds of talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Mohahthir Mohamad that France and Malaysia shared identical views on Cambodia and that recent developments in Cambodia would be a significant step for restoring peace.
"One should not pass judgment on the replacement of the first prime minister by another," said President Chirac, referring to the replacement of Prince Ranariddh by First Prime Minister Ung Huot.
"This is an internal affair of Cambodia," said the President. "But we hope that the electoral process undertaken, along with guarantees for the safe return of Cambodian political figures, will represent a significant step towards the restoration of peace, stability and democracy," added the President.
As far as the Cambodia's membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is concerned, the President said "We hope that the necessary conditions for Cambodia joining ASEAN will be fulfilled as soon as possible."
Cambodia And South Korea Establish Full
Diplomatic Relations
The Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of South Korea upgraded their ties
from mission-level status to full diplomatic relations. The official ceremony, that marked
the new area in the relationship between the two countries, was held in Phnom Penh on
October 30, 1997 with the presence of H.E. Mr. Ung Huot and H.E. Samdech Hun Sen,
Cambodia's First and Second Prime Minister, and H.E. Mr. Park Kyung-tac, South Korea's
envoy to Cambodia.
"This new development in relations will give some enticement, some encouragement to
our business when they come here," the envoy told reporters who attended the
ceremony.
The move was also welcomed by businessmen from both sides who predicted that the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two countries would boost their economic ties.
It should be noted that the two countries signed an investment protection and promotion agreement earlier this year to advance cooperation in trade, technology, science and the economy. About 20 South Korean companies have invested a total of $300 million in Cambodia in recent years.
South Korea was represented in Cambodia at an ambassadorial level only between 1970-1975 during the Khmer Republic regime. The two countries reopened mission-level relations last year after a 21-year break.
Cambodia Denies Allegation Of Gendarmerie Rights
Abuses
The spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia denied on November 23, 1997 the accusations against the Royal Gendarmerie, a Cambodian police unit set up with French aid and trained by French instructors, reported in the local English-language Phnom Penh Post newspaper.
The newspaper, in its issue of November 22, 1997, cited a report by UN human rights envoy Thomas Hammarberg concerning an alleged "human rights abuses" by the Gendarmerie and its involvement in the July 5-6 "coup" in Cambodia.
The spokesman said that the attacks on Prince Ranariddh's forces in the July 5-6 events in Phnom Penh was a military operation ordered by the Royal Government to crack down on illegal forces and not a coup.
"During the fighting on July 5 and 6, the Gendarmerie cooperated with military forces and bodyguards to crack down on anarchic forces according to orders by the Government," said the spokesman.
"There have been no violations of human rights by the Gendarmerie as a whole, though there may have been individual people who acted not under government orders," stressed the spokesman in referring to the report which said the Gendarmerie continued to benefit from French aid and training by French instructors, despite a UN recommendation that it be disbanded if it cannot be brought under the rule of law.
"Any allegation made by the UN requires concrete evidence, otherwise they cannot make accusations," added the spokesman.
The Royal Government of Cambodia on November 24, 1997 signed agreements on gas and oil exploration with five foreign companies: U.S.'s Conoco, Australia's BHP Petroleum, British's Enterprise Oil (ETP. L), and Japanese firms Inpex and Idemitsu.
The agreements will only come into effect after Cambodia and Thailand reach an agreement on the 26,400 square Km overlapping area claimed by both countries in the Gulf of Thailand.
Minister of Industry Pou Sothirak told reporters that the firms had paid the government an initial total of $9.4 million for the agreements and will pay the government a total of $36.77 million in replacement contracts when the overlapping claims are settled.
The five companies would assist Cambodia in its negotiations with Thailand over the area. The two countries held two rounds of talks on this issue in 1995 and further negotiations would be held soon.
Second Five-Star Hotel Is Opened In Cambodia
Hotel Le Royal that was restored by Singapore's Raffles Holdings Pte Ltd. RAFL. CN at a cost of $30 million was opened on November 24, 1997.
When the second phase of the restoration is completed by the end of this year, Le Royal, which first opened in 1993 with 52 rooms, will have 210 rooms, making it the second five-star hotel in Phnom Penh capital.
Raffles also announced its plan to open in late December the Grand Hotel d' Angkor in Siem Reap province, home of the famous 12th-century Angkor Wat temple. The hotel, which will have 131 rooms, is being renovated at a cost of $25 million by the company.
The Le Royal' s general manager Charles Morris said he believed that the recent events in the country would not deter an increasing number of tourists and business people from coming to Cambodia.
The Water Festival (Bonn Om Touk), which is one of the country's biggest annual festivals, was celebrated in Phnom Penh with three days of colorful long-boat races on the Tonle Sap river starting on November 13, 1997 and followed by fireworks and a lighted flotilla of boats.
Tens of thousands of Cambodians from across the country and numerous tourists poured onto the banks of the Tonle Sap river to watch the races involving some 400 boats, with some 50 rowers in each, representing different pagodas and communes.
The Water Festival, which ushers in the fishing season and reverses the current in the Tonle Sap river, is a spectacle to behold. At the height of the rainy
season, the water in the Mekong river flows with such power that it backs up into the Tonle Sap river, forcing the Tonle Sap to reverse its current and begin flowing northward to the Great Lake. As the water level begins to subside, the current reverses again.
The Water Festival celebration with tens of thousands of participants confirmed the normalcy and stability of the country. The festival marked the rebirth process of the country's tourism industry after faltering due to the July events.
Following the Water Festival, an international folklore festival was held at the famed Angkor Wat temple complex from November 29 to December 2 with the participation of four national dance troops from India, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
The four-day Angkor Festival will feature performances of the Ramayana epic as well as Cambodian traditional dance and shadow puppet shows.
A marathon race around Siem Reap town is also being planned to follow the Angkor Festival several weeks later.