Germany's Thierse calls for end to corruption during Cambodia visit

Phnom Penh - The Vice-President of Germany's Parliament, Wolfgang Thierse, used his visit to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on Monday to tell the country's leaders they must bring an end to corruption and promote democratic pluralism. Thierse met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, members of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, opposition parties, civil society groups and religious leaders and visited Cambodia's UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal, where four former leaders of the genocidal regime are currently facing trial for crimes against humanity. "During discussions with the prime minister I reiterated our concerns about the state of democracy in Cambodia and the worrying level of corruption," Thierse told reporters. "Corruption is a major concern because it prevents the law from being properly applied. There is not a lack of laws in this country, but rather a lack of law enforcement."Thierse said his meetings with opposition parties - which hold just a handful of seats in Cambodia's parliament - highlighted the need for a range of political parties in Cambodia's burgeoning democracy. "Having an effective opposition is extremely important for any democracy. In Germany, for example, a member of the opposition heads the treasury committee, which is the most important parliamentary committee," he said. Thierse confirmed that Germany would continue to contribute funding to the Khmer Rouge tribunal, but said the government needed to satisfactorily investigate allegations of corruption on the Cambodian side of the court.