Recent developments in Cambodia have strengthened hope and optimism that the country's political stability and the government's continued smooth functioning are ensured. The competition between political parties in the new era of national reconciliation and free democratic pluralism sometimes creates tensions giving grounds for concern over the nation's future.
During an audience on April 28, Samdech Chea Sim, Acting Head of State, made known to the Ambassadors and Chargés d'affaires of the countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) the strong commitment of the National Assembly, the Royal Government, and the armed forces to preserve safety and social order, avoid armed confrontation, solve all disputes by political and peaceful means, and ensure political stability for the sake of national development, the maintenance of an environment favorable to the flow of foreign investment, the organization of the communal and national elections as scheduled, and the country's preparation for joining ASEAN as a full member.
As for the Royal Government, despite the political rivalries leading to the elections, the two Prime Ministers have shown their responsibility to the nation in keeping the country on track for the elections. With this in mind, the two Prime Ministers agreed in principle and are firmly determined to keep the political differences between them and their parties on a democratic and peaceful level. They will preserve political stability, strengthen domocracy and national development, and keep the government functioning, and will take all necessary measures to prevent the country from lapsing into civil strife.
As testimony to this move, the two Prime Ministers, in their capacity as co- Commanders-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, ordered the army to stay out of political disputes. Furthermore, in a Cabinet meeting on March 7, chaired by both Prime Ministers, the Royal Government decided to issue a ban on radio and television coverage of issues which create an atmosphere of political instability and confrontation between the country's leaders and political parties, prejudical to national reconciliation. According to the ban, radio and television will no longer broadcast polemics between the two Prime Ministers and the coalition parties. This move was considered an appropriate measure to strengthen political stability and reassure the continuity of the smooth functioning of the government.
The above position, taken by the two Prime Ministers has laid groundwork for the Royal Government's Joint Commission to take expeditious actions aimed at reaching all these goals. The Joint Commission for Abnormal Phenomena Resolution, made up of both ruling party's top officials from the Ministry of Interior and National Security, the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and the National Police, issued on April 28 a statement aimed primarily at maintaining the country's political stability, the continuity of the government's works, and the alliance between the two parties which is vital in running the country until the next elections. The eight point statement includes : order the armed forces, national police, and authorities at all levels to maintain their neutrality and stay out of political conflicts; strengthen discipline and hierarchical management in the army; strengthen state's role in governing and place the national interests higher than those of political parties; preserve the continuity of the government's works, continue cooperating with transparency, mutual trust and comprehension, and maintain the effectiveness of the alliance between the two ruling parties; and make every effort to solve all disputes in peaceful ways to ensure political stability, security and social order and to organize successfully and democratically both communal and national elections as scheduled.
In addition, in order to make its April 28 statement effective, the Joint Commission put in place on May 8 a broad range of concrete measures including:
All these efforts have created an environment that will keep political differences open an civil before the national elections and will keep the government functioning. Thereby, the country's political stability will be maintained.
H.E. Alvaro De Soto, UN's Assistant Secretary General for political affairs, visited Cambodia on May 2-3 on his trip to South-East Asia.
De Soto told reporters on his arrival in Phnom Penh that he would be trying to get an understanding of the situation and to determine what the UN can do and should do.
During his visit, De Soto met with H.R.H Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh and H.E Samdech Hun Sen, respectively First and Second Prime Minister and H.E Ung Huot, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The political situation in Cambodia, the future UN role in the country, including the maintenance of the office of the UN Secretary General's special representative, and UN assistance in coordinating international assistance for the elections were central to the discussions.
Before leaving Cambodia, De Soto stated that his concerns about country's political situation had been assuaged after meeting the two premiers, adding that he believed the two Prime Ministers could still work together.
During a meeting with diplomats and foreign aid representatives on May 19, Cambodian government officials argued for international aid, which is key to the country's development.
The meeting was held in advance of a July 1-2 Consultative Group meeting, which comprises various donor agencies and countries, to determine the 1997 aid level for Cambodia.
Cambodia's Economy and Finance Minister Keat Chhon told the meeting that Cambodia should not be faulted for its political woes or slow progress on reform.
Minister Keat Chhon urged every aid donor interested in and actively assisting Cambodia to give the country time and space to allow the democratic process to grow.
"Judge us not harshly by such isolated and regrettable incidents," he said, adding that an average of $483 million per year in aid was key to the nation's development.
Minister Keat Chhon also said despite a March 30 grenade attack and recent political confrontation within the government, Cambodian leaders remained committed to democracy and national elections in 1998.
As for civil and military reforms, co-Minister of the Council of Ministers Sok An assured the meeting of the government plan to cut 7,300 more civil servants by the end of the year after cutting 7,669 between January and April. The government also planned to demobilize 1,500 soldiers soon.
Minister of Agriculture Tao Seng Huor told the meeting that Cambodia was making some progress in forestry policy reform and illegal logging was on the decline, although he acknowledged there was room for improvement.
Indonesia is convinced that Cambodia will overcome its difficulties peacefully, Indonesia Foreign Minister Ali Alatas told reporters in Bangkok on April 28 ahead of the opening of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Ministerial Meeting.
"We have been reassured that things are being overcome. These things were bound to happen in any developing country, especially in Cambodia after a long period of instability, war, and destruction," said Minister Alatas and quoted by reporters.
"I'm convinced the leadership of Cambodia will overcome the trenchant difficulties without resorting to force," he said.
The Royal Government of Cambodia and the International Labor Organization (ILO) signed on May 19 a Memorandum of Understanding concerning their cooperation in the fight against child labor in Cambodia.
Cambodia's Labor and Veteran's Affairs Secretary of State Suy Sem told reporters after the signing that cooperation of the ILO would help his ministry step by step eliminate child labor in Cambodia.
"With this memorandum of understanding we are encouraged that the Cambodia government has committed itself to do something about the issue," said Catherine Comtet, head of the ILO's regional office, adding that the ILO would both assist the ministry and help contain the problem.
The Kingdom of Cambodia still hopes to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the end of 1998 despite recent political upheaval, Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh said during a seminar on the WTO and multilateral trade held in Phnom Penh on May 13.
Cambodia, in becoming an official WTO observer in 1995, is making an effort to finalize all documents for membership, including a detailed policy of the country's economy and its tax procedures.
Cambodia's efforts to improve its trade status have been rewarded with Generalized System of Preferences status from 26 developed countries. Cambodia gained Most Favored Nation (MFN) trade status from the United States last year. Now it is waiting to receive US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade status, which would allow the country to export specified products to the United States duty-free.
The Cambodia government's Conservation d'Angkor has recently discovered Banteay Thom temple in Siem Reap province, about three kilometers (two miles) northwest of the famous 12th-century Angkor Thom temple.
According to Conservation d'Angkor, the 700-year-old Banteay Thom temple was built in the 13th century during the reign of Khmer King Jayavarman VII (1181-1218).
The archeological area covers approximately 400 square kilometers (154 square miles) in the province of Siem Reap, containing more than 100 monuments of which there are two dozen major temples, such as Angkor Wat conceived by King Suryavarman II (1113-1150), Banteay Srei (Citadel of the Women) built in 967, and Angkor Thom built in the 12th century, etc.
Cambodian Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces General Ke Kim Yan and Thai Supreme Commander General Mongkon Ampornpisit agreed in a meeting in Bangkok on May 1 to strengthen cooperation in a joint effort to combat illicit drug trafficking.
According to the agreement, the two countries will help each other in drug suppression, in finding the source of drugs, and in exchanging drug information.
The move is expected to contribute not only to preventing illegal drug trafficking in the two countries but also the spread of drugs on the world market.
On April 21, Cambodian co-Ministers of Interior and National Security Sar Kheng and You Hockry signed an agreement with Australian Ambassador Tony Kevin for a three year program to help improve the country's criminal justice system.
The program, which will costs approximately US$8.47 million, will enable Cambodian law enforcement officials in several provinces to purchase new equipment, train police in procedural matters, and upgrade prisons, police stations, and court rooms.
As a response to the proposal made by the Washington State's Seattle-Sihanoukville Sister City Association, the Royal Government of Cambodia approved in principle the creation of a sister city relationship between Seattle and Cambodian's Sihanoukville city.
The objectives of the sister city program consist of developing international trade and tourism, developing person to person relationships between citizens of the two cities, promoting education of the citizens of the sister cities, and enhancing their citizens' cultural awareness and sensitivity.
"Although the population of Sihanoukville is considerably smaller than Seattle, there are many other important characteristics that Seattle and Sihanoukville have in common. The greater Seattle area has 520,000 residents, including about 7,000 Khmers. Seattle's population is composed of diverse backgrounds which contribute to the city's prosperity. Seattle's major economic strengths include: the aircraft industry, computer software industry, biotechnology industry, fishing, timber, tourism, and significant international trade. Seattle is also the home of a major port for Pacific Rim trade. The University of Washington, which is among the best higher educational institutions in the Pacific Northwest, is located in Seattle," said Steven S. Meas, President of Seattle-Sihanoukville Sister City Association and Jim Street, President Seattle City Council, and a retired Member of Advisory Committee of Seattle-Sihanoukville Sister City Association, in their joint letter to Cambodia's two Prime Ministers.
The Royal Embassy of Cambodia to the United States and the Association are now cooperating in drafting an agreement to pave the way for the establishment of this sister city relationship.
Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright will visit Cambodia to show US support for the country's democracy on her way to attend the ceremonies marking the handover of Hong Kong from Great Britain to China on July 1. The Associated Press reported that Secretary Albright disclosed her plans to visit Cambodia during testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Foreign Operations on May 22.
"I am planning to go to Cambodia on the way to Hong Kong and also to Vietnam," said Secretary Albright, adding that "We need to do whatever we can to support the process," in referring to Cambodia's attempt to overcome political difficulties.
On April 20, officials and specialists of the United States and the Kingdom of Cambodia launched a joint operation to recover the remains of American lost during the war in Southeast Asia.
The 31-day operation, which is the second joint field activity in Cambodia this year and the 15th since October 1991, was planned to investigate six cases in six provinces.
In order to help Cambodia get rid of landmines, the US government on May 2 donated $970,000 worth of equipment to the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC).
Sculpture of Angkor and Ancient Cambodia: Millennium of Glory, the first major exhibition of Cambodian sculpture to be shown in the United States, will be on view at the National Gallery of Art, East Building, June 29 through September 28, 1997.
The exhibition has been organized by the National Gallery of Art, the Royal Government of Cambodia, and the Réunion des musées nationaux / Musée national des Arts asiatique - Guimet, Paris.
Most of the objects are from the outstanding collections of the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh and the Musée national des Arts asiatiques-Guimet in Paris. The sculpture in the exhibition will range from monumental works in sandstone representing gods, mythical guardians, female dancers, and legendary creatures to refined bronzes used for religious rituals and ceremonies. The exhibition also includes sculpted architectural elements from Khmer temples.
Showing in Paris until the end of May, the exhibition will travel to Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, following Washington.
A Cambodian Community National Day was celebrated on May 18 at the Bacroft Park, Virginia.
The program was sponsored by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources, the Office of Multicultural Programs, and the Arlington Multicultural Institute in cooperation with the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, Hello Band, and O' Bon Studio.
In an address at the opening of the celebration, H.E. Ambassador Var Huoth expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by Cambodian community in organizing this joyful day and expressed his sincere thanks to its sponsors. He also wished the event great success.
The celebration, attended by about 500 Cambodians and Americans, was highlighted by entertainment of Cambodian classical and folk dances performed by Cambodian-American Heritage Dance Troup, music presented by Hello Band, and various exhibitions.
Through the Royal Embassy's stand, the participants could see a map of the Kingdom of Cambodia, two pieces of fine painting--one of Angkor Wat which is the great symbol of Cambodia and another of Apsara, the celestial female dancer depicted at Angkor Wat, a piece of Hol representing the Cambodian traditional silk weaving, a variety of wood, silver and other metal sculptures, and photos about the Embassy's main activities. The Embassy's newsletters and information documents, especially on the economy, tourism and investment were also distributed.
Wood and metal carvings and other handicrafts, including those made by Cambodians in the United States, were displayed by the Angkor Association, Inc. and Cambodian compatriots.
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