Vaguely, Ministry Lambastes Embassies

Hor 5 Hong (AFP)

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 28 April 2010

“They indulged themselves to criticize or to give lessons to the Royal Government of Cambodia. Such behaviors are not acceptable for Cambodia as a sovereign country and a member of the United Nations,” the note said, adding, “Cambodia is not a ‘BANANA REPUBLIC.’”

Son Chhay said the note could have something to do with a potential probe by the US Securities and Exchange Commission into allegations of corruption between Australian mining giant BHP Billiton and the government

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an unexplained letter to embassies on Tuesday, reminding them not to interfere in the internal affairs of state.

The note was a sharp reprimand in diplomatic terms, but it was not addressed to any specific mission. It was issued to embassies throughout Phnom Penh.

“There have been many occasions, in which some heads of diplomatic missions behaved like a ‘Proconsul’ of his/her country to the Kingdom of Cambodia,” the ministry said in its note, without naming a specific country.

“They indulged themselves to criticize or to give lessons to the Royal Government of Cambodia. Such behaviors are not acceptable for Cambodia as a sovereign country and a member of the United Nations,” the note said, adding, “Cambodia is not a ‘BANANA REPUBLIC.’”

The ministry said diplomatic protocols called for envoys to avoid interfering in the affairs of a host country, “regardless of the power of his or her home country.”

Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said some diplomats had previously exceeded the limit of their mandate, but he declined to give an example.

Cambodia relies heavily on aid from donor countries, who contribute about half of its national budget each year.

Officials at the French, US and Vietnamese embassies declined to comment Wednesday. Other embassy officials could not be reached for comment.

Opposition lawmakers and rights workers on Wednesday said they had been unable to ascertain the meaning of the note.

However, Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian Son Chhay said the note could have something to do with a potential probe by the US Securities and Exchange Commission into allegations of corruption between Australian mining giant BHP Billiton and the government.

Kek Galabru, president of the rights group Licadho, said Cambodia needs the advice of foreign countries.

“The government should accept the recommendations of those countries to make Cambodia a country of the rule of law, respect for human rights and the application of democratic rule,” she said.

Hun Xen's regime: Don't call us "banana republic" ... because we are a "banana kingdom"

Click on the diplomatic note in English to zoom in

Cambodia issues warning to all diplomatic missions

28 April 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

In a diplomatic note dated 26 April, Cambodia reminded heads of all diplomatic missions that they have no business interfering in internal issues of the host country. The ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the note to all diplomatic missions in Cambodia to remind all the diplomatic envoys and ambassadors in Cambodia about their duty as stipulated in the diplomatic international law. The note raised about Article 41.1 of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations which stated: “Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State. They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State.” The government did not provide any details as to why it issued this diplomatic note, nor to which country it is directed toward.

Cambodian PM warns foreign diplomats not to meddle in politics

About 20 military and police blocked the public road in front of the National Assembly and barred reporters and others from watching the parliamentary vote.

Monday, 22 June 2009
Reuters

Prime Minister Hun Sen warned foreign diplomats not to meddle in Cambodian politics on Monday after envoys were barred from a parliamentary session that voted to remove the legal immunity of two opposition lawmakers.

Mu Sochua of the main opposition Sam Rainsy party now faces a charge of defaming the government and risks a hefty fine. Another lawmaker, Ho Vann, is accused of spreading false information and risks a three-year jail sentence if found guilty.

"Foreigners, do not interfere in Cambodian laws. We choose the way of the court to solve problems because we want to avoid violence," Hun Sen said in a speech aired on national radio.

Turning to the lawmakers, he added: "Although you are MPs, when you act wrongly, you will be punished by the court".

About 20 military and police blocked the public road in front of the National Assembly and barred reporters and others from watching the parliamentary vote.

"There has been no reason given why today this is not a public session," German Ambassador Frank Mann told reporters outside the gate to parliament, where he stood with diplomats from the United States, Britain and France.

Critics and human rights activists have accused the government of using the courts to muzzle the opposition.

Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge guerrilla, has dominated Cambodia for more than two decades.

His party won a landslide victory in the last general election in July 2008 and although European Union observers found some irregularities in the polling, they said these were not enough to alter the result.