US had removed Mol Roeup’s name from terrorism training

Mol Roeup (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

15 Jan 2012By Hassan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Oss Dey

Regarding Mol Roeup, in a wikileaks cable sent on 29 July 2009 by Carol Rodley, the former US ambassador to Cambodia, to the US Department of State, she requested that the State Department considers removing the vetting of a Cambodian officer who would be attending a training offered by US officials.

The training involves a comprehensive course on security challenges associated with terrorism in Southeast Asia which took place in August 2009 in Phnom Penh.

Mol Reoup was named in that cable, however, it did not provide the reason for this removal [KI-Media Note: The cable did mention about the Leahy Amendment, i.e. Mol Roeup may fail to comply with human rights standards]. However, the US embassy requested to keep the name of General Chhay Sinarith.

The cable stated that Mol Roeup was born on 25 September 1951. He held the rank of lieutenant-general and he was the director of Cambodian intelligence and research.

The cable also listed Jenae Johnson and Major Wayne Turnbull as contact points for the US embassy in Phnom Penh.

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អាមេរិក​ធ្លាប់​ដក​ឈ្មោះ​មេ​ចារកិច្ច​យោធា​ខ្មែរ​ចេញ​ពី​វគ្គ​សិក្សា​អំពី​ភេរវកម្ម

ដោយ ហាស់ សាន
2012-01-15  RFA

ទាក់ទិន​នឹង​រឿង​លោក ម៉ុល រឿប បើ​តាម​សារ​ទូរលេខ​មួយ​របស់​អតីត​ឯក​អគ្គ​រដ្ឋ​ទូត ស.រ.អា ប្រចាំ​កម្ពុជា អ្នក​ស្រី Carol Rodley បញ្ជូន​នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​២៩ កក្កដា ឆ្នាំ​២០០៩ ទៅ​ក្រសួង​ការ​បរទេស អ្នក​ស្រី​ស្នើ​ឲ្យ​ក្រសួង​ពិនិត្យ​ពិចារណា​ចម្រាញ់​ឈ្មោះ​នាយ​ទាហាន ដែល​នឹង​ចូល​រួម​រៀន​សូត្រ​ជា​មួយ​មន្ត្រី​អាមេរិកាំង។

នោះ​ជា​វគ្គ​សិក្សា​អំពី​ការ​ប្រឈម​មុខ​នឹង​បញ្ហា​សន្តិសុខ ទាក់ទង​នឹង​សកម្មភាព​ភេរវកម្ម នៅ​តំបន់​អាស៊ី​អាគ្នេយ៍ ដែល​ប្រព្រឹត្ត​ទៅ​នៅ​ខែ​សីហា ឆ្នាំ​២០០៩ នៅ​ក្រុង​ភ្នំពេញ។

ក្នុង​នោះ​មាន​ឈ្មោះ​លោក ម៉ុល រឿប ផង​ដែរ។ ទូរលេខ​នោះ​មិន​បាន​បញ្ជាក់​អំពី​មូលហេតុ​ស្នើ​ដក​ពាក្យ​ចេញ ដែល​ដាក់​ឲ្យ​ពិនិត្យ និង​សម្រេច​នោះ​ទេ ប៉ុន្តែ​ស្ថានទូត​បាន​បង្ហាញ​ឈ្មោះ​ឧត្ដមសេនីយ៍​ប៉ូលិស ឆាយ ស៊ីណារិទ្ធ ជំនួស​វិញ។

ក្នុង​សារ​ទូរលេខ​នោះ ស្ថានទូត​បញ្ជាក់​នូវ​ប្រវត្តិ​សង្ខេប​របស់​លោក ម៉ុល រឿប ថា កើត​នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​២៥ ខែ​កញ្ញា ឆ្នាំ​១៩៥១ មាន​ឋានន្តរសក្ដិ​ជា​ឧត្ដមសេនីយ៍​ឯក មាន​មុខ​នាទី​ជា​នាយក​ផ្នែក​ស៊ើប​ការណ៍​សម្ងាត់ និង​ស្រាវជ្រាវ​នៃ​កង​យោធ​ពល​ខេមរភូមិន្ទ ហើយ​ធ្វើ​ការ​នៅ​អគ្គបញ្ជាការដ្ឋាន​កង​ទ័ព​ជាតិ។

សារ​ទូរលេខ​នោះ​ភ្ជាប់​ឈ្មោះ​មន្ត្រី​អាមេរិកាំង​សម្រាប់​ទាក់​ទង មាន​ឈ្មោះ Jenae Johnson និង​វរសេនីយ៍ត្រី Wayne Thornbull៕

The US’s Complicity in Cambodia

Cartoons by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Saturday, September 24, 2011
Op-Ed by MP

So to the Cambodian people, the US, through its blatant complicity with this repressive, unscrupulous regime, and being no stranger to sleeping with political mistresses it chooses to keep itself amused overseas (in a manner morally noted in a recent Wiki leak embassy cable that ‘adultery’ is rife among Cambodia’s CPP elite) is simply saying: ‘We have done all we could for you. We even spent a vast sum of money to enable the UN to oversee the election in 1993. So take the annual aid money and move on!’

And how familiar this line of reasoning must sound to Shukaku Inc.’s victims, and to all victims of land ‘concessions’ and forced evictions throughout the Kingdom of Injustice and unceasing human suffering . . .

As a casual observer and not being anti-American in anyway, the news that the US Ambassador to Cambodia (Carol Rodley) is about to vacate her eminent diplomatic post in the country fails to engender in me any sentiment worthy of description that otherwise comes with political or career obituary for one as humble as this writer to pen in her honour, except, perhaps, a feeling of ambivalence or ‘indifference’ that her government has over the years been responsible for inspiring. Of this latter sentiment I can, perhaps, write about in a few words. Not that I know a great deal about what she practices or has done during her sojourn in Cambodia. Of this fact, I also profess ignorance.

Judging by her public and confidential utterances, Ms Rodley is well informed and personally conscientious about the tasks before her as far as the Cambodian situation is concerned. At times she had been outspoken against governmental corruption, for example, which even today constitutes one of the most entrenched and formidable barricades to social progress. Yet whilst it is generally accepted that such defects as official corruption and civil rights violation may take some time to ameliorate or eradicate through piece-meal reforms, it is less hopeful and apparent when one asks where or how such reforms will ultimately come about when most (if not all) conceivable mechanisms or channels that could transmute social ideas into concrete progress or improvement in pursuit of pubic betterment are being consistently obstructed or blocked off altogether. Take the reported International Peace Day March planned to take place along some of the main streets of the capital recently. In theory, organisers can apply for municipal authorisation to stage such an event, and there is nothing written down in the national Constitution that limits or questions it as civil right or democratic prerogative. Like opposition parliamentarians’ previous organised trips to visit the controversial posts along the border with Vietnam, the peace marchers would be told on the day why their planned activities would need to be halted; in this case traffic chaos and congestion had been cited as the pretext for forcing the marchers to stage their marching within the vicinity of Wat Phnom! And how many times have we seen the capital’s main boulevards cordoned off without warning to lend pomp and ceremony to foreign and self-important domestic dignitaries alike, so that they can survey the scenery through their limousines’ tinted windows unobstructed by the pitiful sight of the down-trodden masses?

Ambassador Carol Rodley

As Cambodian member if parliament I have the privilege of meeting with a number of diplomats to discuss political situation in Cambodia and to ask them for support in protecting poor farmers who lost land through land grabbing, party activist who were intimated by the authority etc.

But with Ambassador Rodley, more serous issues can be discussed with her such as corruption and the role of opposition in Cambodia and she is always listen and willing to help.

Ambassador Rodley will be missed by all of us.

MP Son Chhay

SRP Whip Chief

End of road for ambassador

US Ambassador Carol Rodley speaks at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, in July of 2010. (Photo by: Sovan Philong)

Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Vong Sokheng and Kristin Lynch
The Phnom Penh Post

THE United States embassy in Phnom Penh confirmed yesterday that Ambassador Carol Rodley will be leaving her position at the end of the month.

Her departure ends a term in which she openly spoke against corruption and saw the release of hundreds of diplomatic cables as part of the WikiLeaks saga.

In an email to the Post yesterday, embassy spokesman Sean McIntosh said that Rodley had “completed her mission in Cambodia”.

The embassy’s announcement comes nearly three years after Rodley began her term on October 24, 2008. McIntosh said that Rodley “will be making private farewell calls on a number of senior Cambodian officials prior to her departure”.

Corruption fight: Watchdog makes debut

Friday, 16 September 2011
Meas Sokchea and Bridget Di Certo
The Phnom Penh Post

Corruption fight

Rights watchdog Transparency International made its debut yesterday at the National Anti-Corruption Conference on civil society engagement in fighting corruption. Transparency International’s Cambodia chapter was made official in July this year when it received registration approval from the Ministry of the Interior. Since then, it has launched a three-year strategic plan for a more accountable and transparent Cambodian society, said Rath Sophoan, its chairman. While speakers at yesterday’s event applauded Cambodia’s passage of the Anti-Corruption Law, Om Yentieng, president of the Anti-Corruption Commission was a notable absence at the conference. He was reportedly called away to attend a matter in the provinces. “We have a good working relationship with the Anti-Corruption Unit and we look forward to furthering our relationship and cooperation,” Rath Sophoan said by email. The American and Australian ambassadors stressed that the ultimate victims of corruption are the poorest. “Corruption…has the most serious ramifications for the most vulnerable citizens and nations,” said US Ambassador Carol Rodley.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Diet

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

US Ambassador Renews Calls To Halt Corruption [-PLEASE tell that to Hun Xen and his henchmen!!!]

U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Carol A. Rodley, and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel, right, meet with Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong in Phnom Penh. (Photo: AP)

Thursday, 15 September 2011
Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh

“It prevents countries like Cambodia from fully realizing their potential.”

US Ambassador Carol Rodley said Thursday that Cambodia’s ongoing corruption prevents the country from moving forward and is scaring off foreign investors.

The ambassador spoke at a national seminar in Phnom Penh aimed at bolstering civic engagement in development and tackling corruption.

“It prevents countries like Cambodia from fully realizing their potential,” Rodley said in opening remarks. Corruption undermines good governance and “hinders economic and social development,” she said.

“It erodes the confidence that citizens have in their government and in the rule of law,” she said.

China, US balancing​​ act

Thursday, 14 July 2011
Thomas Miller
The Phnom Penh Post

During her first meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen in January, 2009, after becoming the US ambassador to Cambodia, Carol Rodley recounted the premier “gushingly stating that he spends more of his time with the American ambassador than with any other members of the diplomatic community”.

But just weeks earlier, Rodley signed off on a confidential diplomatic cable that labelled 2008 Cambodia’s “Year of China”, which she said “looks to become its ‘Century of China’”.

Cables from the US embassy in Phnom Penh made public on Tuesday by anti-secrecy organisation WikiLeaks provide an inside view into US concerns that China’s growing influence in the Kingdom would fuel corruption, inhibit progress on human rights and challenge the ability of other donors to sway the government on difficult issues. “China has spared no effort this year in celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations with Cambodia,” Rodley wrote in the cable. “The list of Chinese visitors is so long that the Chinese embassy’s political and economic officers have complained to [embassy officials] that they never get any rest."

9 Cambodian students receive the Fullbright scholarship to pursue their studies in the US

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZI3_d7H3xU&feature=player_embedded

Politiktoons No. 144: The Universal Town Square

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://politiktoons.blogspot.com
and also at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Internet freedom is critical

Friday 18 February 2011
US Ambassador Carol A Rodley
The Phnom Penh Post
Opinion

Arresting bloggers, prying into the peaceful activities of citizens and limiting or closing off access to information does not make a society more secure for the long term. Silencing ideas does not make them go away. Second, we must protect both transparency and confidentiality. Transparency is critical. We can and should give citizens information about their governments.

Just over a year ago, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for a global commitment to internet freedom. She has now addressed the issue again in a major speech on the subject.

Based on the universal human rights framework, internet freedom – or as Secretary Clinton deemed, the freedom to connect – applies the freedoms of assembly, expression and association to cyberspace.

Today, as we look around at world events, this commitment is more important than ever. By preserving these rights in the digital era, we preserve the promise and the possibility of the internet as a platform for ideas, innovation, connection and economic growth.

Against the backdrop of Egypt and the largest internet shutdown of our time, we have heard numerous calls to honour the freedom to connect, in particular to seek and share information over the internet, from President Obama and Secretary Clinton as well as leaders around the world.

The internet has become the public sphere of the 21st century – it is the global town square. Here in Cambodia, the government has repeatedly stated its commitment to internet freedom. Internet use in Cambodia has risen over 1,700 percent in 10 years, with over 170,000 users now online. Internet cafes have sprouted up in all the major cities.

Internet Freedom is essential for the development of Democracy: US Ambassador Carol Rodley

Hillary Clinton and Carol Rodley in front of the Royal Palace (Photo:  AP)

Click on the DAP-news article to zoom in

US ambassador talks WikiLeaks with govt

Monday, 06 December 2010
James O'Toole
The Phnom Penh Post

UNITED States Ambassador Carol Rodley met with Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith on Friday to discuss the massive leak of American diplomatic cables, including hundreds from the US embassy in Phnom Penh, to the website WikiLeaks.

Khieu Kanharith said in an email yesterday that the ambassador had pledged to cooperate closely with the government in the event that sensitive information is disclosed by WikiLeaks.

“The US Government won’t confirm nor deny the authenticity of any documents released by WikiLeaks but the US ambassador is ready to have a private meeting with any member of the [government] if there are any documents relating to Cambodia deemed to create confusion,” Khieu Kanharith said.

“For my part, I consider the opinion expressed by any American diplomat is not the official American administration’s stance.”

WikiLeaks claims to have more than 250,000 American foreign policy documents in its possession, including 777 diplomatic cables from the US embassy in Phnom Penh. The website has pledged to release the documents gradually over the next few months, and only a few hundred have been made public so far.

In a cable released last week, former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew is quoted discussing the close ties between the Kingdom and China.

“Within hours, everything that is discussed in ASEAN meetings is known in Beijing, given China’s close ties with Laos, Cambodia and Burma,” the cable states, quoting Lee.

The Singaporean embassy in Phnom Penh declined to comment on the cable but condemned the WikiLeaks disclosures.

“The selective release of documents, especially when taken out of context, will only serve to sow confusion and fail to provide a complete picture of the important issues that were being discussed amongst leaders in the strictest of confidentiality,” the embassy said in an emailed statement.

Letter from SRP MP Son Chhay to US Ambassador Carol Rodley

HE Mrs. Carol Rodley
US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
No. 1, Street 96
Sangkat Wat Phnom
Phnom Penh.

October 25, 2010

Ref: SC4-014/10

Dear HE Mrs. Carol Rodley,

I am writing on behalf of parliamentarians from the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), regarding the upcoming visit of United States Secretary of State, Mrs Hillary Clinton, to the Kingdom of Cambodia. We very much look forward to the visit of such a high-ranking American political visit to our country. We do hope it will in particular allow for issues concerning the advancement of human rights, democracy and justice to be primordially discussed and tackled. Further, it is with this in mind that we would like to ask you to help in arranging for a meeting between Mrs. Hillary Clinton and Parliamentarians of the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP).

The current situation has deteriorated immensely in terms of implementing, the Democratic Principles and the respect of basic human rights in Cambodia, particularly targeting the poor, women, and all those individuals who might be suspect of political opposition. This has been expressed through the centralizing of power by the ruling party to solely control of all national institutions and the widespread land grabbing affecting essentially the poor, daily physical and psychological discrimination, the use of the judicial power for political ends, and brutal suppression of any form of protest and criticism. Several members of our party, including our leader, Mr. Sam Rainsy, have repeatedly faced life threats, forced exile, court trial and/or imprisonment. In the last annual report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva last month, the UN Special Rapporteur for the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Professor Surya Subedi, deplored that victims of all sorts of abuses in Cambodia seem to be “desperate for justice,” and is “concerned about the narrowing of political space in the country for people belonging to the opposition political parties and other political activists.”

Our party has been working relentlessly to push for all citizens, including women, to be able to speak out and to protect all Cambodian citizens’ freedom of speech and all other fundamental rights. We aim to bring an end to the culture of fear predominating in our country and with this Cambodian citizens’ silence.

For this, we are very thankful for the international community’s committed support, including that of the United States. We have been continuously encouraged and fully support the United States’ ever-strong commitment to the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, worldwide and including in Cambodia. We have been particularly touched by your Excellency Carol Roldey past interventions, your statement in supporting the need to fight persisting corruption in our country. We have also been truly inspired by Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, a woman, who leads a very strong political career for the US democratic party, committed to battle for the improvement of her own country as well as for stability in the world, including especially with regards to human rights.

As one of the 48 Least Developed Countries, Cambodia stands to further gain from the international community’s support and as national parliamentarians we have the duty to ensure that our country’s most discriminated against benefit. It is also our duty to protect our citizens and make their grievances heard. We believe that meeting with Mrs. Hillary Clinton, would be an immense honor for our people as it will help to encourage the respect for the role of opposition in a fading Democracy in Cambodia as well as opportunity to discuss and further such matters.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration, and my personal respect.

Sincerely yours,

SON Chhay, AM
Member of Parliament
Party Whip of SRP

Ambassador to Cambodia: Who is Carol Rodley?

In May 2009, Rodley ruffled the feathers of the Cambodian government when, while delivering the opening speech at an anti-corruption concert in Phnom Penh, she claimed that Cambodia loses $500 million a year to corruption. (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

Saturday, July 24, 2010
Noel Brinkerhoff
AllGov.com

A career officer in the Senior Foreign Service, Carol A. Rodley is serving her second tour in Cambodia, having worked in the Southeast Asian country in the late 1990s. Although she has served in many capacities in the State Department, Rodley is well-versed in issues of intelligence and counter-terrorism.

A native of Massachusetts, Rodley graduated from Smith College in 1976.

Her Washington assignments have included executive assistant to the Bosnia coordinator for the Dayton peace accord negotiations; deputy director of the secretariat staff; Cyprus desk officer in the Office of Southern European Affairs; senior watch officer in the Operations Center; and intelligence analyst in the Russia Division of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research.

Rodley’s overseas assignments have included postings in Germany, South Africa, the Dominican Republic and Pakistan.

From 1997-2000 she worked her first tour in Cambodia, as deputy chief of mission at the American embassy in Phnom Penh. During this time, she supported bringing former Khner Rouge officials to trial for crimes against humanity before an “international court.”

Rodley then attended the State Department’s senior leadership training course, the 43rd Senior Seminar, at the Foreign Service Institute from 2000-2001.

For the next two years she served as deputy executive secretary in the Executive Secretariat, until July 2003.

From 2003-2006 Rodley served as acting assistant secretary and principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. While in this position, she put together “Team Al-Qaida,” a group of State Department analysts whose goal, in Rodley’s words, was to “deepen our understanding of both specific terrorist networks and the broader international jihadist movement” using “computer-aided methods to mine the volumes of data and have developed particular expertise on terrorist support networks and terrorist facilitators.”

She relocated to Afghanistan to work as counselor for political and military affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, before returning to the states to serve as a faculty advisor at the Foreign Service Institute for Afghanistan and Iraq training.

President George W. Bush nominated Rodley to be ambassador to Cambodia in May 2008, a post she finally took over on October 24.

In May 2009, Rodley ruffled the feathers of the Cambodian government when, while delivering the opening speech at an anti-corruption concert in Phnom Penh, she claimed that Cambodia loses $500 million a year to corruption.

Rodley is married to David Newhall, and the couple has three children. Rodley speaks Khmer, German, Spanish, Urdu, and Hindi.

Hun Xen and Global Witness: Who’s the real thief ringleader?

Who's the thief ringleader: Global Witness or Hun Xen?

27 May 2010
By Pech Bandol
Free Press Magazine Online
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

The shameful thug (Neak Leng) language echoed from PM Hun Xen’s mouth yesterday morning when he harshly attacked a London-based environmental protection group, calling it the “thief ringleader.”

Hun Xen declared, during a 2-day mining meeting which started Wednesday, in front of more than 300 national and international officials: “They are thieves and thief ringleaders, they know how to be thieves, that’s why they gave us advises.” The prime minister also demanded that the international community stop lecturing him on the use of funding for various programs.

Hun Xen said: “It turns out that I am a thief, they look at me like a thief, it’s time to stop the accusation and the finger pointing, because with one finger pointing at me, you are pointing the other 4 at yourself.”

Hun Xen’s reaction takes place after Global Witness issued a report indicating that all the funding that the Cambodian government collected from mining companies, which is alleged to be preserved for social funds, is simply not true. Global Witness said that based on its review of bank ledgers, no such fund exists.

In Cambodia, Global Witness is not the only organization that criticized national corruption, deforestation and destruction of the environment, even the various donor countries themselves directly criticized the abject corruption in the country.

Last year, US Ambassador Carol Rodley publicly criticized the Cambodian government for losing $350 to $500 million in revenue to corruption each year. Following this criticism, the Cambodian ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a diplomatic note last month, forbidding foreign ambassadors stationed in Cambodia from interfering in Cambodian internal affairs.

Regarding this issue, the Cambodian people, the civil society and the opposition parties are all wondering who, between Hun Xen and Global Witness, is really the thief ringleader?

U.S: Democracy and human rights in Cambodia deteriorate

US Ambassador Carol Rodley during an interview on 28 January 2010 (Photo: Den Ayuthyea, RFA)

Monday, 1 February 2010
By Khmerization
Source: RFA

The United States government had indirectly asked the Cambodian government to improve its shortcomings in relations to the application of democracy and the respect for human rights in accordance with international standards and regulations, reports Radio Free Asia.

The indirect request was made by Mrs. Carol Rodley (pictured), U.S Ambassador to Cambodia, in a speech after opposition leader Sam Rainsy and two villagers were convicted and sentenced to jail term after they protested about border encroachments by Vietnam. "We praise all fields that have improved relating to democracy and human rights and we regret the worsening in other fields such as the deterioration of democracy and human rights", she said through a translator.

The Cambodian government has come under heavy criticism from human rights groups, civil society and critics in relations to its human rights records, forced evictions, land grabbing, arrests and intimidation of opposition activists, human rights activists and the use of court to suppress freedom of expression against opposition parties etc.

Mrs. Rodley had also acknowledged in the improvement in some fields as well. "There have been improvements in some fields and deterioration in others", she said.

Mrs. Rodley also said she is following the trials of opposition Sam Rainsy and other two villagers very closely. “We are closely following this trial, and it’s not just trials involving politicians and VIPs, but also on various other trials as well. All trials should be conducted with transparency and fairness”, she added.

She did not want to elaborate on Mr. Rainsy's trial, however she hopes the Appeal Court could be fair and transparent. “I think that if this case reaches the Appeal court, and if the Appeal court could be transparent, just and fair [then it would be a good sign]”, she said.

Prof. Surya Subedi, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia who had visited Cambodia from 18th to 30th January, said that human rights situations in Cambodia had been slowly improving. However, he said that human rights situations in Cambodia had not been up to the standards and benchmarks set by international conventions which Cambodia had been a signatory to.

Mr. Om Yintieng, chairman of the government-appointed Human Rights Commission, quoted recently by the media as saying that Cambodia has not yet become a hell of human rights and Cambodian not yet become a heaven of human rights either.

Carol Rodley: Cambodian trials should be transparent

US Ambassador Carol Rodley (Photo: Kem Sos, RFA)

29 January 2010
By Den Ayuthyea
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

The US ambassador to Cambodia said that all trials by the court should be conducted with transparency and fairness.

Mrs. Carol Rodley, the US ambassador to Cambodia, said that she is following closely all court hearings and trials, whether they involve politicians or ordinary citizens.

Mrs. Rodley did not comment on the Svay Rieng court decision handed down to Mr. Sam Rainsy, but she simply said that all court hearings should be conducted with transparency and fairness.

Through a translator, she said: “We are closely following this trial, and it’s not just trials involving politicians and VIPs, but also on various other trials as well. All trials should be conducted with transparency and fairness.”

Mrs. Rodley made this declaration one day after the Svay Rieng provincial court sentenced opposition leader Sam Rainsy to 2-year jail term.

On 27 January 2010, opposition leader Sam Rainsy was sentenced in absentia by the Svay Rieng provincial court to 2-year of jail term, and he was also fined with several million of riels after he was accused of destruction of public properties and incitation of racial discrimination. The sentencing was issued after Sam Rainsy and a number of villagers from Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province, uprooted stakes for border post no. 185 in October 2009.

Mrs. Rodley did not think that Mr. Sam Rainsy’s case was political, but she indicated that, if this case reaches the Appeal court, and the decision by Appeal court could be fair and transparent, then it would be a good sign.

Mrs. Carol Rodley said: “I think that if this case reaches the Appeal court, and if the Appeal court could be transparent and fair [then it would be a good sign].”

Mr. Sam Rainsy considered the 2-year jail sentence on him, and the 1-year jail sentence handed down to 2 other villagers are not what matter, but the problem is centered on the Cambodian authority giving away Cambodian territories to foreigners, and the latter is the main problem.

The US will end tariff reduction on import of Cambodian garment

US Ambassador Carol Rodley gave an interview at the Meng Ieng garment factory on 28 January 2010 (Photo: Den Ayuthyea, RFA)

29 January 2010
By Den Ayuthyea
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Carol Rodley, the US ambassador to Cambodia, indicated that, due to worldwide economic problems, the US will no longer reduce import tariff on garments manufactured in the Cambodia.

She made this statement during her visit to the Meng Ieng garment factory, a model factory with good work ethic located in Russei Keo district, Phnom Penh city, in the afternoon of 28 January.

Through a translator, Mrs. Rodley said: “The quota system does not exist anymore, therefore, US orders have dropped significantly. The US also faces severe economic problems, therefore, the US is also facing the same challenges and it is trying to tame these economic difficulties.”

Chea Mony, President of the Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), said that if the US does not lower import tariff on garment made in Cambodia, then the Cambodian garment sector may face collapse.

He hopes that the US will take a second look to see if it has the ability to reduce import tariff on Cambodian-made garments, otherwise, this could seriously affect the livelihood of Cambodian factory workers as they may lose their job when the garment factories will be forced to close.

Chea Mony claimed: “The US will have to take a second look because if the US government does not exempt import of Cambodian-manufactured garments, and if it insists on imposing import tariff, then the US will destroy the Cambodian workers. Right now, Cambodian factory workers face severe hardship, and when the workers have no job, they will face danger and they will be forced to go find work in Thailand. Then, the Thai will shoot them, arrest them on a daily basis!”

Last week, Chea Mony sent a letter to the US Congress asking the US to exempt import tariff on Cambodian garments. Chea Mony claimed that if the US does not exempt the tariff, the Cambodian garment sector will face problems in 2010.

Nevertheless, Ambassador Rodley claimed that, in 2010, the reduction of import tariff on Cambodian garment will be eliminated. She indicated that the Cambodian garment sector will have to compete with those of her neighboring countries based on quality standards instead.

Two hours with US Ambassador Carol Rodley in Long Beach, California

Dear KI-Media Editors,

Please find attached a synopsis of US Ambassador Carol Rodley’s speech and replies to questions fielded to her. Mrs. Rodley’s event took place at Mark Twain Library in Long Beach, California, on Saturday, December 19, 2009. I would like to warn your readers in advance that this synopsis bears some of my bias and it is not intended to be a faithful transcript of Mrs. Rodley’s speech and answers. Furthermore, I did not jot down all the questions that were fielded to her, I am providing here only questions and answers that are pertinent to Cambodia. Mr. Meach Sovannara, a reporter for the Khmer Post, was also present at Mrs. Rodley’s event and he recorded the entire two hour event. I would urge your readers to listen to this recording at:

http://www.thekhmerpost.com/

My sincere thanks to Mr. Meach Sovannara for posting this recording.

Happy New Year to your team and to all KI-Media readers!

P. from Long Beach

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Two hours with US Ambassador Carol Rodley in Long Beach, California

Prior to her posting as US Ambassador, Mrs. Carol Rodley was posted in Afghanistan. Therefore, as her opening remark, she indicated that, in comparison to Afghanistan, Cambodia is facing a problem of a poor country, thus in comparison to Afghanistan, Cambodia is not in a too bad shape.

She also indicated that prior to Afghanistan, she was also posted in Cambodia in 2000. Upon her return to Cambodia from Afghanistan, she noted that Cambodia is no longer the same country she left. For one thing, there was tremendous change in infrastructure between 2000, the year she saw Cambodia last, and 2008, the year she returned back to Cambodia. In 2008, there are more roads, more buildings and more businesses. [One of her remarks that struck me was the fact that she mentioned that the private sector had contributed tremendously to the development of the country. I remembered that, speeches after speeches, Mr. Hun Sen always insisted that the development in Cambodia was the work of his government, however, Mrs. Rodley seems to indicate that Mr. Hun Sen’s claims are not entirely factual."]

Mrs. Rodley also indicated that there is a significant change among the Cambodian people. Currently, Cambodians are more competent, more optimistic. They have a broader view of the world. She was also amazed that Cambodia, which in the past saw the arrival of a large contingent of UN peacekeeper force, is now sending peacekeepers to other countries instead.

She also reported that Cambodia’s relationship with the US has matured at the official level. There is currently broad cooperation between the two countries, as well as broad assistance by the US in healthcare, in quality and access to education.

Nevertheless, in regards to human rights and democracy, Mrs. Rodley indicated that progress in these areas is inconsistent. In general, the US would hold discussions on disagreements with the Cambodian government.

When it comes to freedom of expression, the US notes the unfortunate trend where defamation and disinformation lawsuits are used to stifle dissenting political views.

Human rights is also a continuing problem and evictions affect vulnerable peoples.

With this remark, Mrs. Rodley concluded her speech and initiated the question session.

Question Session

[What I did not understand was the fact that, even though the attendance is relatively small (about 60-70 people), the attendance was not able to ask questions to Mrs. Rodley directly, instead, people who have questions have to submit them in writing to the moderator who would then field them to Mrs. Rodley. According to one of the people who asked a question to Mrs. Rodley, he indicated that the moderator did not formulate his question faithfully either. With that in mind, let’s move on the questions.]

Can Cambodian-American still receive their social security checks if they live in Cambodia?

Yes, under one provision: these people must show up at the US embassy once a month. The reason for this is that there are too many cases of fraud. Sometime, people died and yet their relatives would still collect their Social Security checks. Furthermore, there is no reliable death record in Cambodia.

What are the priorities of the Obama’s administration in Cambodia?

The US would like to see a peaceful, stable, prosperous and democratic Cambodia that it can deal with. However, prosperity and democracy in Cambodia remain problems that Cambodia is still facing with. For one thing, Cambodia’s economy is not diversified, therefore, it is susceptible to recession. Nevertheless, she noted that Cambodians’ confidence at their own ability to survive, and she also noted their resilience under the circumstance. Cambodia does rely heavily on tourism and garment export.

In terms of democracy, the US supports human rights in Cambodia, but Mrs. Rodley indicated that there is still a lot to do in this area. In her words, Cambodia is termed a “1 party +” country (i.e., Cambodia is ruled by a single party, and the opposition does not play a significant role in the country). She indicated that, according to political scientist, it would take an average of about 45 years for such country to reach full democracy. [On this last item, I beg to differ with Mrs. Rodley’s remark. It is true that in countries such as Japan, for the current ruling party to come from the opposition to rule the country, it did take about 50 years. However, this is not true everywhere, for example, Indonesia was under Suharto’s iron grip for 32 years, Ferdinand Marcos’ rule of the Philippines was 21 years. Therefore, Cambodians should not be desperate about the situation in Cambodia just yet. We have to remember that no undemocratic ruler will last forever. The last years of Prince Sihanouk in power in Cambodia was an exemple of a regime in economic disarray because the ruler believes that he was untouchable. Similarly Pol Pot’s iron grip on Cambodia did not last forever either. While it is true, that Pol Pot’s regime was toppled by Vietnam’s invasion, its lack of support from the Cambodian people made it an easy target for Vietnam.]

Why is it so difficult to bring children to the US? There are so much difficulties to pass the required DNA test.

The reason for this is because there are so many frauds in the visa business.

What is your opinion on deforestation in Cambodia?

Mrs. Rodley made it clear that she is against deforestation in Cambodia. Furthermore, this issue is taking an increased importance due to the current climate change. Nevertheless, Mrs. Rodley believes that this issue is currently a moot point because forest coverage has already been cut down (i.e. destroyed).She hopes that the Copenhagen treaty will bring financial interest to the Cambodian government to preserve forest coverage, but, the “devil is in the details”, i.e. there is still a major challenge in the implementation.

What would it take to increase Cambodia’s garment quota to the US?

Currently, there is no garment quota imposed on import from Cambodia. The main problem currently is that demand has plummeted. Furthermore, Cambodia is also market share to countries such as Vietnam and Bangladesh. While Cambodia maintains a good labor standard, such issue is not that important anymore under the current economic condition. There is an attempt at the US congress to provide preferential tariffs for garment import from poor countries, but it is facing tough resistance from Obama’s Democrat administration fur to labor movement. Therefore, this issue is not certain yet at the moment.

Is the price of garment made in Cambodia high due to corruption?

Mrs. Rodley does not believe so. She indicated that Vietnam faces the same corruption problem as Cambodia, but what differentiates Vietnam from Cambodia is the fact that productivity is much higher in Vietnam. Furthermore, the cost of electricity and transportation in Cambodia is still very high. For example, the price of electricity in Cambodia is higher than that of Tokyo.
What is the US position in regards to the border problem in Preah Vihear?

Mrs. Rodley believes that this is a simple problem to address. The US believes that it should be resolved bilaterally between Thailand and Cambodia only. This issue has both negative and positive aspect to it and the US is closely following the situation. On the negative aspect, diplomatic tension is festering between the two neighbors, but on the positive side, there is troop reduction on the ground and the border is quiet. She indicated that serious discussions are needed from both sides, and she believes that there would be no resolution until Thailand’s domestic problem is solved. She added also that communication is required to slow down violence.

[The US has always supported a bilateral border solution between Cambodia and Thailand. However, as a signatory country to the 1991 Paris Peace Accords on Cambodia, these accords (Article 18, Part 4) clearly stipulates that “Cambodia undertakes to maintain, preserve and defend, and the other Signatories undertake to recognize and respect, the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability, neutrality and national unity of Cambodia, as set forth in a separate Agreement.” Obviously, Thailand’s invasion of Cambodia in Preah Vihear area should automatically trigger the application of the article above, but it did not. On top of that, the US did nothing to this matter, except to encourage both parties to hold bilateral discussions. As Mrs. Rodley observed it herself, no outcome resulted from the bilateral discussions between the two countries. All that took place was “silly” discussion on how to name the Preah Vihear temple. All in all, Thailand only lambasted on this issue and dragged its feet. The issue is further politicized by both countries for political gain: Mr. Hun Sen to stir Cambodia’s nationalism and deflect all political and economic problems, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva and the other Thai PMs to deflect internal political problems. In my opinion, Mr. Hun Sen’s support of Thaksin’s partisans is misguided as all Thai administrations care more about Thailand’s interest than their alliance with Mr. Hun Sen’s Cambodia.]

How does the US helps Cambodian import and export business?

Following the Obama’s administration removal of Cambodia from trade blacklist, the US is now establishing its Export/Import (Exim) bank, but loans to Cambodian businesses are still a problem. Cambodians should stay tuned on this issue.
How does one become a peace corps volunteer to Cambodia?

There are currently 75 peace corps volunteers in Cambodia, all of them are working in rural areas, teaching English in high schools. As a peace corps volunteer, one cannot chose the country one wants to go. One must be flexible to go to any country that help is required.
What is the US position on the decline of democracy in Cambodia?

Land eviction is a major issue in Cambodia. The land law in itself is not bad per se, but its implementation is ragged. With the World Bank’s help, about 1 million of land titles were issued, but the WB is only concentrating in urban areas. This issue is further complicated with land title issues.

[As everybody knows, major evictions took place right in the middle of Phnom Penh, therefore should we consider the WB’s work a major failure?]

Mrs. Rodley that there is a silver lining in the current economic recession that saw a drop in land price. Hopefully, this will provide a breathing room for a more humane view on forced eviction.

She, along with other ambassadors in Cambodia, believes that a moratorium on forced eviction is necessary, however, she is not optimistic that this will take place. She indicated that eviction should be the last resort and there should be maximum respect for the people evicted, as well as a minimum use of force during evictions.

Is the US contemplating to provide more grants for Cambodian students to come study in the US?

The Fulbright grants program is expanding, but this is only directed toward graduate studies. Furthermore, the academic level in Cambodia is not up to par to that of the US, even though Cambodian students work hard and some do obtain their PhDs from the US.

Currently, the US is granting 1 semester to 1 year visa to undergraduate studies in the US. The US will also extend this policy to high school students.

However, there will be no further growth in the number of grants beyond the current level due to high cost involved in each student. Instead, the US is concentrating into improving the quality of education in Cambodia instead.

Can you provide comment of your assertion that Cambodia lost about $500 million in revenue each year due to corruption?

Mrs. Rodley indicated that this number is merely a guesstimate. However, she pointed out that a study was performed based on a sample of about 2,000 Cambodian businessmen regarding the corruption issue. Following this study, an extrapolation was made by the study, and corruption could result in a $500 million in yearly loss of revenue. This is a very large number.

One group of people who hate corruption is Cambodia are parents who have to provide money to their children to pay to their teachers. This is not a good situation at all, as it introduces corruption to Cambodians at a very young age.

On the other hand, she believes that her statement would encourage people to talk about corruption.

I couldn’t help but cutting her off and telling her that it was OK for her, as a foreigner, to raise this issue. Any Cambodians who would dare making such statement would be immediately sued for disinformation and defamation. She agreed to my remark, and she also mentioned that, following her talk on the corruption issue, even government officials came to tell her that it was good that she mentioned this issue openly.

What is the US view on human trafficking in Cambodia?

Human trafficking is a crime and a terrible problem. The issue is handled by NGOs, however, [Sar Kheng] the minister of Interior is committed to solve this problem. On the NGO side, the Somaly Mam foundation is also working on anti-trafficking. There is no denying from the government on this issue. The US government through ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is taking full ownership of the problem. This is no longer just talk and US offenders are brought back to face stiff penalty in the US.

What does the US do to promote Cambodian art?

Upon her posting in Cambodia, Mrs. Rodley was asked what she wanted to have in Cambodia. She requested to have an art collection at the US ambassador residence that looks at the future of the Cambodian-US relationship. This collection is now on display at her residence in Cambodia.

What is the US position on the Khmer Rouge tribunal (KRT)?

The KRT is a big success. Justice of some sort is being delivered in spite of the fact that it took a very long time to reach an agreement between the Cambodian government and the UN. Because it is hybrid court, the system is messy and the process is imperfect. Nevertheless it is better to have it even if it is not perfect. The court proceeding is moving at a very slow pace, and the operation cost is too high. However, Mrs. Rodley believes that this is a price to pay for international justice.

[While the US is aware of the high operation cost, the US is not providing much funding to this hybrid court either in my humble opinion. I couldn’t help but wonder why it is so?]

At that point, Dr. Leakhena Nou came to the podium to make announcements about the KRT. To me, it was very refreshing to hear Dr. Nou’s opening remark where she clearly stated that the KRT is a joke. To her, the proceeding of the court is total mystery for ordinary people, let alone for her, a scholar in this field. She encourage all those who still want to file complaints to contact her organization at: http://www.asriconline.com

What is the current situation in the clearing of mine fields?

I was surprised to hear her mentioning that, currently, the K-5 belt minefield is being worked on. [The K5 plan was concocted by Vietnam during its occupation of Cambodia and implemented by the People’s Republic of Kampuchea under the leadership of Messrs. Heng Samrin, Chea Sim and Hun Sen, the current leaders of Cambodia. This plan was the biggest resentment among the Cambodians against the PRK because of its detrimental policy (For additional information about the K5 plan: http://dompols.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80:the-k5-plan&catid=51:cambodia-&Itemid=53)]

She indicated also that the number of casualties is lower, but mine clearance will take a long time.
Any comment on Mu Sochua’s case?

No comment as the case is still in court.

Why isn’t there a DEA office in Cambodia?

Because Cambodia does not have enough a big drug problem.

[My contention on this issue is that Cambodian drug does not the US shore in large quantity yet for it to justify the presence of a DEA office in Phnom Penh. However, for other countries, such as Australia for example, that are affected by drug smuggling from Cambodia, there is a tighter police and drug enforcement cooperation on this issue.]

[Unfortunately the meeting with Ambassador Rodley came to an end at that point. Although I brought with me a printed copy of your readers’ questions to Mrs. Rodley, I was not able to raise any of them due to the structure used for the question session, i.e. the questions must be submitted in writing. At the end of the talk, I approached Mrs. Rodley and handed her the questions raised by KI-Media readers. While I am almost certain that she will read them, I don’t expect to see nor hear any reply from her any time soon. Nevertheless, a copy of them is in her hands.]