A Letter from Cambodian Ambassador for UK

July 3, 2012

Below is a letter written by Cambidian Ambassador for United Kingdom regarding an article written by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). It is one of many articles that he has written in recent year. We publish it with a note from AHRC.

A note from the AHRC

It is the right of every person to express their views on matters that they believe to be important. The AHRC publishes opinion editorials of numerous journalists, diplomats and human rights defenders from countries across Asia so as to promote free discussion. We are committed to encouraging the free exchange of ideas and opinions in the belief that democracy and human rights will survive only if there is freedom of expression, including freedom of media organizations. The AHRC maintains that topics should be matters of public interest, and views should be expressed in a polite manner.

The views expressed by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth in his article entitled, ‘Respect Ideals and Concepts, not Arbitrary Leaders', is undoubtedly a matter of public interest. Numerous journalists, diplomats and human rights defenders have expressed similar concerns that the current situation in Cambodia is not reflective of the ideal enshrined in Cambodia’s Constitution and the promise made to the Cambodian people; that of a functional liberal democracy. This promise was written after a long period of tragedy in Cambodia. However, it is widely agreed that a functioning liberal democracy is still a distant dream for the Cambodian people.

The lack of judicial independence and threats to freedom of expression are two of the many problems in Cambodia that have been identified by numerous authoritative political and media sources. The AHRC is aware of these issues, and works to promote respect for human rights and legal reform in Cambodia through the publication and dissemination of statements and appeals. For example, the recent episode relating 13 women who were arrested and sentenced relating to demonstrations in Boeung Kak lake area. [link: http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-112-2012].

The free expression of views by all people is the primary way that a democracy can begin to confront and resolve problems. We hope that more people will peacefully discuss the issues that face their countries, so as to encourage a vigorous democratic discourse on the issues in Cambodia, as well as the issues facing other countries in the Asian region.

Ambassador’s letter:

Dear Sir/Madam

In response to the publication of your article by Dr Gaffar Peang-Meth entitled: Cambodia: Respect ideals and concepts, I have sent Dr Peang-Meth the following response.

In the interests of balance I should be grateful if you will post this letter within the “Views & Opinions” section of your website.

Yours faithfully

 

Hor Nambora

Letter to Dr Gaffar Peang-Meth:

Dear Dr Peang-Meth;

I am responding to your article, Cambodia: Respect ideals and concepts, published by the Asian Human Rights Commission.

Baby Hor: All talk, but when it comes to action ... NONE, ZILCH, ZERO, NADA, NIET!!!

Baby Hor

VOA Khmer

Following Global Witness' acceptance to Hor Nambora's (aka Baby Hor) challenge to a public debate, Voice of America reported that Baby Hor backed down from his bluff and refused to debate Global Witness in public. Instead, the offspring of Hor 5 Hong chose to insult and curse Global Witness, calling Global Witness as "Chhkuot Chrouk" (crazy like a pig) and "having mental problem". The second insult is a term very popular among officials in the Hun Xen's regime to place blame on anybody who oppose them.

It seems that the "family of the thieves of Cambodia" do not have much to say to defend themselves, except for cursing and throwing tantrums.

Click here to listen to VOA's Im Thearith's report in Khmer (MP3)

Hor 5 Bora sent to the rescue of Hun Sen’s regime against Global Witness

Hor 5 Bora, Hor 5 Hong's son and Cambodian ambassador to the UK, an ardent defender of the Hun Sen's regime

Government reply to Global Witness

27 Nov 2008
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

The Cambodian ambassador to the UK talked about “provocation” after a NGO appealed to donor countries by raising issues about the management of oil revenue.

The Global Witness communiqué warning donor countries about the use of natural gas and oil resource is a “villain campaign to discredit the image of Cambodia,” the Cambodian embassy in London said in its communiqué issued on Tuesday 25 November.

“It is naive from Global Witness to think Cambodia's international donors do not well aware of their ill-intentioned purpose of damaging Cambodia’ past and recent economic developments.” the Cambodian embassy communiqué added.

According to Global Witness, Cambodia almost did not keep up with any of its promises regarding the fight against corruption, the management of natural resources and human rights. According to Global Witness, “Cambodia is on the verge of a petroleum and minerals windfall, but both sectors are already exhibiting early warning signs of the corruption, nepotism and state capture…”

The Cambodian embassy in London retorted by quoting a recent speech given by vice-PM Sok An who said “We do not want to be mere spectators in our petroleum industry,” and that he was involved in the setting up of efficient legal mechanism for the management of the oil sector.

The Cambodian embassy also warned donor countries against Global Witness, in particular it addressed its message to the Netherland, Canadian and Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida) “to ask for an urgent review of Global Witness’ program of activities and policies and, a strict control to poor management and leadership of Global Witness.”

Cambodian FM names 9 new ambassadors [-Nepotism: Another one of Hor Namhong's sons becomes ambassador to Japan]

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has named new ambassadors to nine countries, including Kuwait, which is to receive Cambodia's first diplomatic posting there, and Japan, where the minister's son Hor Moniroath is expected to head the Cambodian mission, state media reported Saturday.

The Japanese government had been notified of the appointment, which is awaiting the approval of the Cambodian and Japanese governments, Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying.

"We have notified the Japanese government but we haven't received any response yet. We need the agreement of the host country first before sending the new ambassador," he said.

Hor Namhong's son Hor Nambora is currently serving as Cambodia's ambassador to the United Kingdom, making Hor Moniroath's appointment the second top diplomatic posting in the minister's family.

Japan is Cambodia's largest bilateral aid donor, according to the Cambodia Daily.

Hor Nam Bora calls for "regime change" at Global Witness (again)

Hor Nam Bora, CPP ambassador to London

2008 Media Releases
4 February
Royal Embassy of Cambodia, London, UK

New Policy and Leadership: Key Challenges to Global Witness in 2008

Once again, Global Witness Director Simon Taylor is trying to impress by playing celebrities in Global Witness’s press release on 22 January 2008 entitled "US move to ban top Cambodian officials ... to get tough on corruption".

The Embassy was disappointed by the Global Witness Director’s deliberated intention to discredit and to plot against the Government of Cambodia and its leaders at the single occasion found. This can probably explained in the same way dogs are happier to lick bones found in the domestic waste. We find it hard to believe that, the “UNEDUCATED” still exist in such number and continue to lead Global Witness.

The present code of conduct regulating Global Witness is insufficient: IT IS TIME TO ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR A REVISED GUIDELINES OF GLOBAL WITNESS BY ITS FUNDERS-TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS-DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, IRELAND, NETHERLANDS, SWEDEN AND UK.

The Royal Government has considered “Environmental Protection is a Prerequisite Condition” for ensuring sustainable socio-economic development by enhancing equity and justice in utilizing national resources and environmental services in a way that benefits all people. In this sense, the Royal Government has introduced a rigorous measure against violators to crack down anarchic activities such as deforestation, banning large-scale forest exploitation.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has introduced and implemented an insightful forestry reform with high determination and, national and international support, we have successfully strengthened national order and the ability to control, maintain, protect, plant and to proudly develop the national forestry sector. Until now, regarding some works, Cambodia is leading and acting as a role model in the region such as the implementation of international forestry regime, and forestry technical code.

The relations between Cambodia and other countries in the world have seen remarkable progress:

- recently by the visit of Director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Robert S. Mueller and his visit is as another indication of the expanding cooperation between our two countries' law enforcement agencies,

- a US delegation, led by Stephen D. Mull, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs of the US State Department in which the US highly praised Cambodia which just got of war not long ago, but that it has built itself up following the path of democracy in order to bring in progress in all fields,

- and a Delegation of the European Parliament for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) led by Mr. Hartmut NASSAUER, Member of the European Parliament from Germany, aiming to develop EU cooperation program in Cambodia; and the commercial relations between the EU and Cambodia in general.

Cambodia attributed the progress and the development to the maintenance of the peace, the political stability, the social security, the economic growth, the cooperation with international communities, and the international assistance, including the United State, European Union, Japan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

"Since Cambodia is back on the path of strong and sustained economic growth, testified by considerable and encouraging achievements during the last few years, I believe that this is the best time for the business community and all investors to assess the potential and opportunity as well as the future vision of Cambodia. I would like to invite businessmen and investors to join me by undertaking concrete investment projects to build a bright future for Cambodia. On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, I would like to guarantee every foreign investor a favorable and conducive environment for investment, particularly peace, security, safety, political stability, macroeconomic stability as well as legal and institutional framework endowed with efficiency, transparency, accountability and predictability". Samdech Techo Hun Sen Prime Minister of Cambodia.

Global Witness: While Hun Neng's hammer fails to crack nut, Hor Nam Bora calls for "regime change" at Global Witness

Cambodia Calls for Regime Change at Global Witness

Thu., Feb. 10, 2008
Global Witness

Cambodian Hammer fails to crack nut - Cambodian Embassy in London calls for regime change at Global Witness

Following Global Witness’ recommendation that new World Bank President Robert Zoellick take advantage of his recent trip to Cambodia by calling for a credible investigation into evidence of an illegal logging network surrounding the Cambodian Prime Minister and other senior officials (exposed in Global Witness’ June 2007 report ‘Cambodia’s Family Trees’), the Cambodian government, increasingly desperate to defend their already tarnished public image, has issued a press release demanding a change in Global Witness’ leadership and a call to the organisation’s donors to cut funding.

The August 5 press release describes Global Witness’ request to Mr Zoellick as both “amusing and disturbing” and urges funders to “review the credibility and ill-intention of Global Witness Director,” adding “his discriminatory nature may be ill suited to lead Global Witness in the current situation and the future.”

“Cambodia’s Family Trees is based on several years of rigorous investigations into Cambodia’s forest sector and offers an in-depth exposé of illegal logging, kidnapping and attempted murder by relatives of the prime minister and other senior officials. I fail to see why calling for a credible investigation into these findings is either amusing or disturbing,” said Global Witness Director, Simon Taylor. “This latest announcement from the Cambodian Embassy is symptomatic of the government’s reluctance to deal with the facts presented in our report. Attempts to suppress our activities will not make these very real issues of governance and natural resource mismanagement disappear,” he said, adding “Either respond to our calls for an investigation to prove impunity in Cambodia does not exist, or stop complaining.”

“It’s also worth noting that the Cambodian government are happy to benefit from the freedom of the press here in the UK, whilst our report is banned in Cambodia and the prime minister’s brother is reported to have threatened Global Witness staff with violence,” said Taylor.

The press release highlighted economic growth over the past decade in Cambodia and improvements in the investment climate. Yet last month a World Bank survey of corruption in 207 countries ranked Cambodia in the bottom ten percent, as did the 2006 Transparency International "corruption perceptions index". The Cambodian government is still repaying millions of dollars siphoned off in a graft scandal that forced the Bank to temporarily suspend three key aid projects last year. Meanwhile, an estimated 35% of the Cambodian population continues to live in poverty.

“Quoting economic growth rates is meaningless if the vast proportion of state assets are under the control of an unaccountable elite,” said Taylor. “Changing the status quo will necessitate addressing the rampant corruption which allows a small group of individuals to profit from the exploitation of Cambodia’s natural resources at the expense of the country’s poor. There must be an effective judicial investigation into our report’s findings and the international donor community must insist that this happens.”

Ends

Notes:

(1) Global Witness exposes the corrupt exploitation of natural resources and international trade systems, to drive campaigns that end impunity, resource-linked conflict, and human rights and environmental abuses. Global Witness was co-nominated for the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for its leading work on ‘conflict diamonds' and awarded the Gleitsman Foundation prize for international activism in 2005. For more information see
http://www.globalwitness.org
(2) For more information on World Bank governance indicators, see
http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi2007/home.htm
(3) The report ‘Cambodia's Family Trees' can be downloaded from
http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/546/en/cambodias_family_trees
(4) For further information on Transparency International’s “corruption perceptions index” visit
http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2006
(5) For more information on poverty in Cambodia visit
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTCAMBODIA/Resources/293755-1181597206916/E&D_execsummary.pdf
(5) References to the threat from the prime minister’s brother are drawn from an article by Douglas Gillison and Yun Samean, published in the Cambodia Daily on June 5 2007. In it, the prime minister's brother and Kompong Cham provincial governor Hun Neng is quoted as saying: "If they (Global Witness staff) come to Cambodia, I will hit them until their heads are broken."
(6) The press release issued by the Cambodian Embassy can be found at:
http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/566/en/global_witness_must_stop_activities_and_defamation_to_discredit_the_image_of_the_royal_government_of_cambodia_from_now_and_for_good

GW: Cambodian Hammer fails to crack nut - Cambodian Embassy in London calls for regime change at Global Witness

10/08/07
Global Witness

For Immediate Release:

Click here to read the desperate statement issued by
Hor Nam Bora to defend his and his father's boss

Following Global Witness’ recommendation that new World Bank President Robert Zoellick take advantage of his recent trip to Cambodia by calling for a credible investigation into evidence of an illegal logging network surrounding the Cambodian Prime Minister and other senior officials (exposed in Global Witness’ June 2007 report ‘Cambodia’s Family Trees’), the Cambodian government, increasingly desperate to defend their already tarnished public image, has issued a press release demanding a change in Global Witness’ leadership and a call to the organisation’s donors to cut funding.

The August 5 press release describes Global Witness’ request to Mr Zoellick as both “amusing and disturbing” and urges funders to “review the credibility and ill-intention of Global Witness Director,” adding “his discriminatory nature may be ill suited to lead Global Witness in the current situation and the future.”

“Cambodia’s Family Trees is based on several years of rigorous investigations into Cambodia’s forest sector and offers an in-depth exposé of illegal logging, kidnapping and attempted murder by relatives of the prime minister and other senior officials. I fail to see why calling for a credible investigation into these findings is either amusing or disturbing,” said Global Witness Director, Simon Taylor. “This latest announcement from the Cambodian Embassy is symptomatic of the government’s reluctance to deal with the facts presented in our report. Attempts to suppress our activities will not make these very real issues of governance and natural resource mismanagement disappear,” he said, adding “Either respond to our calls for an investigation to prove impunity in Cambodia does not exist, or stop complaining.”

“It’s also worth noting that the Cambodian government are happy to benefit from the freedom of the press here in the UK, whilst our report is banned in Cambodia and the prime minister’s brother is reported to have threatened Global Witness staff with violence,” said Taylor.

The press release highlighted economic growth over the past decade in Cambodia and improvements in the investment climate. Yet last month a World Bank survey of corruption in 207 countries ranked Cambodia in the bottom ten percent, as did the 2006 Transparency International "corruption perceptions index". The Cambodian government is still repaying millions of dollars siphoned off in a graft scandal that forced the Bank to temporarily suspend three key aid projects last year. Meanwhile, an estimated 35% of the Cambodian population continues to live in poverty.

“Quoting economic growth rates is meaningless if the vast proportion of state assets are under the control of an unaccountable elite,” said Taylor. “Changing the status quo will necessitate addressing the rampant corruption which allows a small group of individuals to profit from the exploitation of Cambodia’s natural resources at the expense of the country’s poor. There must be an effective judicial investigation into our report’s findings and the international donor community must insist that this happens.”

Ends

For further information please contact: +44 7957 142 121 or +44 207 561 6396