Octber 29, 1997

In response to the Washington Post's editorial of October 19, 1997, H.E. Ambassador Var Huoth wrote on October 22 to the Editor of the newspaper a letter which reads as follows:

Dear Sir:

The Washington Post's Oct. 19 editorial titled " Cambodia's stolen democracy " misses several points regarding the democratic process in Cambodia that I would like to set the record straight.

First, I want to accentuate that there are over 100 Members of National Assembly remaining inside Cambodia and almost half of this number is from FUNCINPEC's Party. The Post is correct to say that many opposition politicians, to put it exactly 17 of them, remain abroad. The Royal Government of Cambodia leaves the door open for their return and is ready to coordinate with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General accredited in Cambodia to provide full assurances for their safety. Prince Ranariddh can always return to Cambodia but he must justify himself with the court on the charge of his illegal imports of weapons and secret negotiations with the outlawed Khmer Rouge.

Second, the Post's allegations that the human right groups in Cambodia live in fear are biased and incorrect. Actually, there are over 200 NGOs and the United Nations Center for Human Rights in Cambodia. The Post cannot use the isolated case as a general one. The suspension of one TV program by the Ministry of Information in Cambodia was made on the ground that the host of the program, who has a mandate to educate the civic rights for Cambodian people, misuses its forum as stipulated in the terms of the agreement. Furthermore, as far as the law is concerned, The closure of an unlicensed Khmer-language Banteay Srey newspaper by the competent authorities this month is not an assault to press freedom.

Third, The National Assembly of Cambodia is busy debating the political party and the elections draft laws. To suggest that the election is a sham election by the Post before it even held and its law is yet to be adopted is not professional. The Royal Government of Cambodia always welcomes technical as well as financial assistance from countries that extend their supports for the process of democracy in Cambodia and for the conduct of the upcoming elections. In this regard, it also supports the role of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Phnom Penh for coordinating international electoral observers.

Fourth, contrary to the Post's claims that many investors have pulled out, Cambodia will soon sign agreements with some oil companies from the US such as Conoco, Triton and Mobil. Moreover, the US companies such as Caltex, Beacon Hill (power project) etc. are going ahead in their projects in Cambodia-- not to mention companies from other countries.

Finally, I would like to stress that the cooperation between Prince Ranariddh and the Khmer Rouge is really a danger for the Cambodian people. And, this action deserves to be checked before it is too late.

Var Huoth
Ambassador