Cambodian government officials and donors stand listening to the national anthem during the 1st Cambodia Development Coorperation Forum meeting in Phnom Penh. Cambodia is expected to seek 689 million dollars Wednesday from donors amid demands by rights groups the international community get tough on the government's apparent refusal to reform. (Photo: AFP)Cambodia boosts aid request to 689 million dollars
Wednesday • June 20, 2007
AFP
Cambodia is expected to seek 689 million dollars Wednesday from donors amid demands by rights groups the international community get tough on the government's apparent refusal to reform.
The amount of aid requested for the coming year is almost 100 million dollars more than that pledged at last year's annual meeting, according to government documents.
Already, Cambodia's largest donor Japan has said it will likely offer the same, if not more money than last year's 110 million dollars.
While acknowledging Cambodia's economic growth as a positive sign, Japan said in a statement that "the slow progress in certain governance reform programmes seems to need particular attention."
Foreign donors are expected to announce their pledges later Wednesday after two days of aid talks that have reportedly focussed largely on the government's failure to pass anti-corruption legislation to tackle rampant graft.
Cambodia was ranked 151 out of 163 countries in Transparency International's 2006 corruption index, which compares graft levels in governments around the world.
Before the meeting, diplomats praised Cambodia's increased willingness to work with donors.
But the opening of the talks Tuesday was marred by the detention of foreign protesters which rights groups said highlighted the government's continuing hardline stance towards dissent.
The eight Westerners, who were demanding the release of two men many feel have been wrongly jailed for the 2004 killing of labour leader Chea Vichea, were freed hours later.
But the incident underscores Cambodia's failure to act on its reform promises made at previous donor meetings, rights groups said.
"The meeting has become an empty annual ritual, with the government making and breaking promises every year," said Brad Adams, Asia director of the New York-based group Human Rights Watch.
"There will be more promises made this year but without serious donor pressure they, too, will be broken," he added.
The amount of aid requested for the coming year is almost 100 million dollars more than that pledged at last year's annual meeting, according to government documents.
Already, Cambodia's largest donor Japan has said it will likely offer the same, if not more money than last year's 110 million dollars.
While acknowledging Cambodia's economic growth as a positive sign, Japan said in a statement that "the slow progress in certain governance reform programmes seems to need particular attention."
Foreign donors are expected to announce their pledges later Wednesday after two days of aid talks that have reportedly focussed largely on the government's failure to pass anti-corruption legislation to tackle rampant graft.
Cambodia was ranked 151 out of 163 countries in Transparency International's 2006 corruption index, which compares graft levels in governments around the world.
Before the meeting, diplomats praised Cambodia's increased willingness to work with donors.
But the opening of the talks Tuesday was marred by the detention of foreign protesters which rights groups said highlighted the government's continuing hardline stance towards dissent.
The eight Westerners, who were demanding the release of two men many feel have been wrongly jailed for the 2004 killing of labour leader Chea Vichea, were freed hours later.
But the incident underscores Cambodia's failure to act on its reform promises made at previous donor meetings, rights groups said.
"The meeting has become an empty annual ritual, with the government making and breaking promises every year," said Brad Adams, Asia director of the New York-based group Human Rights Watch.
"There will be more promises made this year but without serious donor pressure they, too, will be broken," he added.
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