Monday, June 19, 2006

World Bank explains Cambodia aid decision

JUN. 18 2006
The Associated Press


The World Bank said Sunday it has provided Cambodia with evidence of the fraud and corruption that prompted the institution to suspend three development projects in the impoverished Southeast Asian country.

The World Bank said in a statement it plans to "provide a more detailed update" in coming days explaining the reasons for canceling US$7.6 million (euro6 million) in funding for the projects, in addition to evidence submitted to the government last week.

The three suspended projects dealt with land management and administration, provincial and rural infrastructure, and provincial and suburban water supply and sanitation.

"These projects have been delivering results," the bank said in the statement. "However, in cases where corruption has been found, these results have come at higher cost or lower quality of work."

Cambodia, one of the world's poorest countries, relies heavily on foreign aid.

Representatives from the bank met with government officials last week and "provided the government in writing with specific information and evidence on the results of the investigations, including information on the specific contracts, the companies involved, and the nature of the problem that occurred," the statement said.

The World Bank was also reviewing the contracts of four other projects under investigation.

Announcing the suspension of the projects June 6, the bank demanded that the government repay all funds already disbursed under contracts "misprocured because of corruption."

There was no immediate response from the Cambodian government to the World Bank's statement.

While the government has not flatly denied charges of corruption it had repeatedly called on the bank to provide detailed proof of its allegations.

An advertisement carried in Friday's Rasmei Kampuchea, or the Light of Cambodia, newspaper, paid for by the Finance Ministry, questioned whether "the World Bank has a hidden political agenda" to tarnish the government's image.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you world bank for the in your face reply to the Hunsen government. Somebody need to stand up to this government if Cambodia is to have a chance at prosperity and equality for all people of regardless of class.

Anonymous said...

Next time when Hun Sen ask for 50 millions for assisting Cambodia, the world bank and other donor countries should give him $100 millions. This way it will make Hun Sen and his dogs get richer off of poor Khmer people

Anonymous said...

Bravooooooooooooooo World Bankkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!! Now eat that you stinking Cyclops Hun Sen. You've screamed out of your small head for the world body to give your the evidence, but the evidence is already given to you. Hhahah. It is you who refuse to accept the truth about your corrupted officials. Now be true to your words and start the throat cutting process of your officials. At the end the dog really has nothing to eat except its own poop. How much longer will Cambodia need to suffer under this maniac????

Anonymous said...

Yes, scream some more Fidel Castro Jr. It shows that your government has to pay back the debt. Don't forget to grab more land from your people and sell to foreigner and make them work seven days a week without increase their over time pay.