*EPF307 06/18/2003
Text: McConnell Says Powell Should Meet with Cambodia's Democrats
(Senator also urges support for free, fair elections in Cambodia) (650)

Secretary of State Colin Powell should firmly support the efforts of democrats in Cambodia to have free and fair elections, and be less effusive in his praise of Phnom Penh's help with the war on terrorism, according to Senator Mitch McConnell (Republican of Kentucky).

"While in Phnom Penh, Secretary Powell must push for free and fair elections in July," said McConnell, the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, in remarks to the Senate June 17.

Powell was en route to Cambodia that day to attend the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) Regional Forum being held in the country's capital.

"Opposition parties must not be denied access to media or the ability to conduct rallies, demonstrations, and other forms of free expression," McConnell continued.

"Secretary Powell must make clear to (Cambodian Prime Minister) Hun Sen that a single, additional political killing is one too many, and that the election will be judged by international standards," he added.

McConnell is the second most powerful Republican in the Senate.

Following is the text of Senator McConnell's June 17 remarks to the Senate from the Congressional Record:

(begin text)

LET'S NOT FORGET CAMBODIA

Senate

June 17, 2003

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, 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 record 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.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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