Davan Long vs. Colin Pratt on King of Corruption

Dear All,

Below is an exchange between Mr. Davan Long and Mr. Colin Pratt regarding Mr. Pratt's comments titled "Cambodia – Hun Sen – King of Corruption and Rannariddh - Prince Pathetic". Again, I think it is interesting.

Again, in my opinion, both are right with Mr. Davan Long quoting correctly figures about economic growth, investments and trade balances. On the other hand, Mr. Pratt has correctly pointed out that these growths are only window dressings which only benefiting the city people and the ruling elites, while leaving 33% rural people malnourished and poorer and poorer. i think both are correct in their own right.

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Dear All,

I do not consider the subject article by this so-called ex-diplomat interesting at all. In fact, I find it disrespectful and extremely offending to our nation. How dare he to cast million Khmer voters as coward? Mr. Collin Pratt also mentioned about the starvation and coming economic decline in his article. Does he have any factual data to support such statement, or he is simply speculating - an abnormal behavior for an ex-diplomat. Like many proud Khmer citizens, I don't need a foreigner to tell me his unqualified view of my country.

According to some studies by respectable regional and global institutions, Cambodia economy grew at 9.9 per cent annually from 2001-2006 compared to ASEAN's 6.5 per cent. Foreign direct investment surged from 1 per cent in 2004 to 8 per cent of GDP in 2007. A few days ago US embassy released a statement that US-Cambodian trade was valued at 2.6 billion dollars last year, and that figure was expected to reach 3 billion dollars this year. These are undisputable facts. Mr. Pratt should have done some background work first before expressing his undiplomatic rhetoric in public place.

Regards,

Davan Long

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Your figures are correct Davan Long but they show only the city - the front window of the shop. In the rural areas are the UN figures you refrain from quoting being 33% of people suffering from malnutrition and some dying from starvation.A crime !

Instead of attacking me please deny the massive corruption and terrorism extant under Hun Sen.

Colin Pratt