USA: CAMBODIAN OPPOSITION LEADER SAM RAINSY VISIT

(11 Feb 1999) English/Nat

Cambodia's opposition leader, Sam Rainsy was in Washington on Thursday, discussing the present political and economic situation in Cambodia.

Rainsy says Cambodia has taken a giant step backwards and the blame he believes falls on the shoulders of Cambodia's present leader, Hun Sen.

Sam Rainsy is President of the Khmer Nation Party, an opposition party to the present government of Hun Sen.

Rainsy says the economic situation in Cambodia has deteriorated to the levels of 1993 and Hun Sen's government is pursuing policies that are leading to widespread food shortages.

As long as Hun Sen stays in power and is not held accountable, says Rainsy, the Cambodian people will suffer.

SOUNDBITE: ( English)
"What interests Hun Sen is to keep power, to stay in power. Hun Sen is at the head but also a prisoner of a system. Actually we have to reform the system and this requires a strong political will, it requires some sacrifices on the part of some people. I think that Hun Sen will not relinquish his privileges as long as there is not a coordinated action by the international community, by the donor community, especially by the US."
SUPER CAPTION: Sam Rainsy

Later this month in Tokyo, Hun Sen will be meeting international donors who will determine the amount of international aid Cambodia is to receive.

But, this opposition leader believes the international community needs to establish certain benchmarks before the money is handed out.

First, the Khmer Rouge has to be made accountable for its human rights abuses.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"You can have no lasting peace without justice and in order to have justice you have to find out and expose the truth first. Investigation is very important and this should be conducted by independent tribunal. Hun Sen has presented this dilemma to the Cambodia people: we have to chose between peace and justice."
SUPER CAPTION: Sam Rainsy

Rainsy says foreign assistance is not going to social and welfare programs but to police and military forces.

He says Hun Sen is duping donors because this money will not be used for humanitarian aid.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"A more sensible approach to helping Cambodia includes the targeting of aid, establishment of new benchmarks for the government and a policy on human rights abuses and disregard for the rule of law."
SUPER CAPTION: Sam Rainsy

Just last Tuesday, two top Khmer Rouge leaders apologized for the deaths of as many as two (m) million people during their regime.

They asked Cambodians to forget the past.

But, many Cambodians do not believe peace is possible without justice.

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