Outgoing US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli spoke at a ceremony for the repatriation of US soldier remains in March.By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
25 August 2008
Exiting US Ambassador Jospeph Mussomeli said Monday the relationship between Cambodian and the US had improved in recent years, but human rights officials say the warmer ties have come at a cost.
Rights officials said in recent interviews US support of human rights groups has decreased in recent years, eroding freedoms of expression and assembly.
"The relationship between the two countries has markedly improved over the last two years," Mussomeli told reporters at the embassy Monday, on his final day in the country. "I'm hesitant to say that, because I think it still has a long way to go. As many of you have heard me say before, a few years of good relations can't really compensate for decades of misunderstandings and distrust."
The US was sharply criticized in 2007 for closer ties with the national police, after the FBI opened a liaison office in Phnom Penh. Human rights workers said at the time the increased cooperation would make rights work in the country more difficult.
Mussomeli left Cambodia late Monday. He will be replaced by a former political officer at the Cambodia mission, Carol Rodley, later this year.
Rights workers said his tenure saw the end of anti-government positions from the United States.
"US government policy has shown clearly that it used to oppose the government; now it shows clearly that they are pro-government," said Thun Saray, president of the rights group Adhoc. "They seem to have more cooperation with the government than before. That's why they have less criticism of the government."
Democracy had not decreased under the changed position, but local groups were still hard pressed to champion democracy and rights, said Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party.
"I can see progress of democracy in Cambodia," he said. "The United States should not reduce aid to local NGOs, and they should not undertake more cooperation with the government. They should strengthen more democracy and human rights in Cambodia. They should not give more aid to the government, but should strengthen more [aid] to local NGOs, so the local NGOs can strengthen human rights and democracy in this country."
Mussomeli also said Monday Cambodia's potential production of oil would not have a significant impact on relations between the two countries. He warned, however, that revenue from oil must be used properly in order for Cambodia to benefit.
"The oil could be a very good thing for Cambodia," he said, "because Cambodia is such a poor country and the economy is at such a low level that the oil, if it's used properly, if it is used for the benefit of the Cambodian people, if it's used to build roads and develop the educational system and the health system and things like that… it is an opportunity for Cambodia to really jump-start its country and jump-start the economy."
Thun Saray said the oil represented a small market, and the US government was not much interested in the oil in Cambodia.
Rights officials said in recent interviews US support of human rights groups has decreased in recent years, eroding freedoms of expression and assembly.
"The relationship between the two countries has markedly improved over the last two years," Mussomeli told reporters at the embassy Monday, on his final day in the country. "I'm hesitant to say that, because I think it still has a long way to go. As many of you have heard me say before, a few years of good relations can't really compensate for decades of misunderstandings and distrust."
The US was sharply criticized in 2007 for closer ties with the national police, after the FBI opened a liaison office in Phnom Penh. Human rights workers said at the time the increased cooperation would make rights work in the country more difficult.
Mussomeli left Cambodia late Monday. He will be replaced by a former political officer at the Cambodia mission, Carol Rodley, later this year.
Rights workers said his tenure saw the end of anti-government positions from the United States.
"US government policy has shown clearly that it used to oppose the government; now it shows clearly that they are pro-government," said Thun Saray, president of the rights group Adhoc. "They seem to have more cooperation with the government than before. That's why they have less criticism of the government."
Democracy had not decreased under the changed position, but local groups were still hard pressed to champion democracy and rights, said Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party.
"I can see progress of democracy in Cambodia," he said. "The United States should not reduce aid to local NGOs, and they should not undertake more cooperation with the government. They should strengthen more democracy and human rights in Cambodia. They should not give more aid to the government, but should strengthen more [aid] to local NGOs, so the local NGOs can strengthen human rights and democracy in this country."
Mussomeli also said Monday Cambodia's potential production of oil would not have a significant impact on relations between the two countries. He warned, however, that revenue from oil must be used properly in order for Cambodia to benefit.
"The oil could be a very good thing for Cambodia," he said, "because Cambodia is such a poor country and the economy is at such a low level that the oil, if it's used properly, if it is used for the benefit of the Cambodian people, if it's used to build roads and develop the educational system and the health system and things like that… it is an opportunity for Cambodia to really jump-start its country and jump-start the economy."
Thun Saray said the oil represented a small market, and the US government was not much interested in the oil in Cambodia.
20 comments:
oh no...he's leaving????
He's a good one. He was very outspoken. I like him.
Best wish to him. Hope Cambodia got another good Ambassador in the future.
What do some of you think of him?
He sucks! I haven't seen any progress at all. He's only there for the benefit of the US and US ONLY. He does not admit as well as mentioned any flaw at all. It's just a job/vacations for him. The US support of human rights has deteriorate. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets two pay check per pay period.
Wow who said that he sucks???
Frankly I never saw an ambassador like him.
He go to the villages and meet people so many times.
And why does he sucks?
Does this make him suck?
He did try to help cambodians to fight and to have The Right?
Now poor peasants are so weak to fight the government.
This is really tough as an ambassador, you have to follow the USA's guideline too.
He's the first who dare to speak about freedom and rights as an ambassador, of course.
How many ambassadors dare to speak about right and freedom in Cambodia.
They keep their mouths close and get paid.
And CCP does everything to
weaken the pride and the right of cambodians.
Khmer Canadian
I agree with 2 of you above.
5:24AM, you're talking out of your ass. So far, he's the one that did the most. The others before are the ones that just do their jobs. YOu're just argue for your agenda's sake.
Mr. Mussomeli was a good man, we cannot thank him enough for what he did for Cambodia. He taught us to value democracy and never stop fighting corruption, and speak up against injustice.
Hope that you be ambassador to Cambodia again.
I sincerely respect you.
Thank you.
He's a nice and really ambassador, not like previous aggressors.
However, U.S. is too late to appoint woman Ambassador after China, Cuba, Australia, Canada,...
How can you declare yourself as a Professor of Gender advocacy?
U.S. haven't even got a Female President in history.
Pakistan, Indonesia...muslim world that criticised by U.S. for gender abuse, at least used to have Female Presidents.
Hun Sen are you reading this article: use the oil for the development of the country not for profit of your party.
I agree, I like him a lot. He is very outspoken and at one point he even had friction with the CCP government. I wish he could stay longer. He really got involved with the common Cambodians. He mets students, farmers, and rights groups. I wish him well.
It is so fucken unfair for the ASEAN and the United Nations not play traditional role of peace maker while keep pushing Cambodia a weak nation to deal with Thailand that has no regard for international law!
Don't blame Cambodia for future war or an act of terrorism because Cambodia has act in line with international law and order!
It seems that the international community has no moral obligation in helping a weak nation like Cambodia because of their economic, military, and political tie with Thailane!
Cambodian government must think long and hard because Cambodia has a few friends among international community in dealing with Thaicong naked aggression! Cambodian government must consider major investment in modernize weaponry such as nuclear technology, light arm, and long missile capability to deter any future Thaicong aggression! Cambodia must have thorn for protection!
Cambodia must not leave its nation's fate on any alien countries. Neither the US or China or any country better decide the fate of Cambodia than the local people, Khmer. It does not mean that we SHOULDN'T HAVE GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL THESE SUPER-FLUENCED COUNTRIES, BUT KHMER LEADERS MUST NOT BE SO DEPENDABLE ON THE OUTSIDERS OR ALIEN COUNTRIES. And first thing first, National interest must be place on top of priority and for the sake of country to move forward and last, ones MUSTNOT LAY SELF, FAMILY'S INTEREST TOO MUCH WITHIN ITS GOVERNING AND POLICIES!!!!
Pi Khmere
During his ambassadorial tenure was nothing but a collosal failure; the failure will goes to his unfufilled legacy.
Hun Sen's advisor
H.E. Mussomeli has been a good friend of Cambodia. I wish him lot of luck in his political career. I am certain that he'll make a great US president someday as did G. Bush Senior.
3:10 PM
This guy?! Who are you trying to kid, dude?
During his tenure, was nothing but failure. Now, you think this guy can be the president of the United States. You're off line, kid.
10:57 I agree with you! The whole world understand what Thai did was childish and unetheical. No outside country dares to intervene. The whole world turns their back on Cambodia.
8:44,
what is my agenda? What has Mussomeli accomplish? Cambodia is in a state of disarray before he assumed duties and still is after he left. I'm sorry, but I don't see any goods come out of it! Cambodia is still unfairs and imbalance.
yes, cambodia can always do better and better! why not!!! please keep up the good work! god bless cambodia.
To 1:16am
Just please remember that he isn't our boss nor did he a controler. He is here more or less to be the eyes and the ears of the world and he gave the advise that anyone can give to all of us. The same thing he would have given to his country men and women. We just don't see it don't real value it and we lose it and we lost a good man.
Mr. Mussomeli gave the very best advise to Cambodia every time.
Ordinary Khmers
What did he attain in the past three years of his ambassadorial responsibility?
NOTHING!
THIS IS A LEGACY OF FAILURE!
AFTER ALL, THIS IS WHAT THE US IS GOOD AT!
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