Baby Hor is again sent to the rescue of Papa Hor's boss on corruption ... Baby Hor tries to silence the messenger rather than solving the problem

US ambassador Carol Rodley denouncing corruption in Cambodia at the Clean Hand concert

Denouncing corruption: A US tradition

05 June 2009
By A.C.
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

The speech given by the US ambassador during the “Clean Hand” concert held on 30 May regarding corruption [in Cambodia] continues to create controversies.

Blunder or not? It’s hard to tell for now. Inside the premises of the Olympic Stadium, during a concert organized by several civil society associations, the US ambassador explained that corruption in the Kingdom represents a loss of revenue “of about $500 million per year, the equivalent of building 20,000 schools each having 6 classrooms.”

Through a press communiqué, Hor 5 Bora, the Cambodian ambassador to the UK and son of Hor 5 Hong, Cambodia’s minister of Foreign Affairs, is also getting involved in the affair, although not without diplomatic irony.

He reminded Carol Rodley that “this is [her] first posting as Ambassador, [and that diplomats] seek to maintain neutrality at all costs and refrain from commenting on the internal affairs of the nation to which [they] have been appointed [as] envoy.”

Hor 5 Bora event went beyond simply lecturing a newcomer who would have committed an error because of lack of experience, he also wonders about a possible alliance between the US ambassador and the Global Witness NGO which regularly accuses the government that Hor 5 Bora serves on this corruption issue. On 6 May, Hor 5 Bora attacked Global Witness following the latter’s publication of the “Country for Sale” report which details the Cambodian government’s use of revenue from sale of natural resources. Finally, Hor 5 Bora discussed about “misinformation” and he asked Carol Rodley to “clarify her position.” Up to now, no other embassy in Cambodia dare make any comment on this affair.

However, maybe this is an American tradition. In 2005, the word “corruption” marked the first speech given by Joseph Mussomeli as the new US ambassador to Cambodia. “Rich and developed countries could almost afford corruption. They already have the infrastructure, but not Cambodia. Cambodia cannot afford the luxury of corruption,” Mussomeli then declared. The only difference with Mussomeli was that he did not provide any amount attached to the corruption in Cambodia.

Carol Rodley denounced corruption in Cambodia ... and it hurts Hor 5 Bora all the way in London; Now, he tries to lecture the US ambassador

Response to The US Ambassador to CamboDia June 4, 2009

Her Excellency Carol Rodley
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Embassy of the United States of America
No. 1 Street 96
Sangkat Wat Phnom
Khan Daun Penh, Phnom-Penh
CAMBODIA

Your Excellency,

I am writing to you as one Ambassador to another in the hope that you might reflect upon the remarks you made at the “Clean Hand” concert at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh on May 30 which you will doubtless be aware have caused both controversy and offence.

While I happily pay tribute to your distinguished contribution to the Foreign Service of the United States of America over many years including as Deputy Chief of Mission at the American Embassy in Cambodia, I am both surprised and disappointed that you should choose to make such inflammatory comments.

I know this is your first posting as Ambassador and that you only took up your appointment in October 2008. However, I am sure you will be familiar with the overriding principle to which diplomats of all countries normally adhere (particularly Ambassadors), namely that we seek to maintain neutrality at all costs and refrain from commenting on the internal affairs of the nation to which we have been appointed envoy. If I may say so, this principle would seem to have served the worldwide community rather well over many years.

While you are of course entitled to your personal opinions, the danger of expressing them publicly is that they can be interpreted as being politically motivated which immediately compromises your reputation as an impartial observer of Cambodia and an honoured guest.

In this instance there is the possibility that you may be seen by some as having allied yourself with the discredited views of the international pressure group Global Witness which continually engages in virulent and malicious campaigns against the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Your remarks would also appear to contradict what we were told was a refreshing new approach to foreign policy by the United States, initiated by President Barack Obama and already being embraced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; to forge constructive new relationships with other nations based on mutual trust and respect.

I hope that you will now reconsider your remarks - which appear to have been based on misinformation - and take urgent steps to clarify your position.

Needless to say I am more than happy to discuss this matter further with you and by whatever means of communication you prefer.

With kind regards
Hor Nambora
Ambassador of Cambodia to the Court of St James’s
London, United Kingdom