Written by Vong Sokheng
Monday, 08 June 2009
Phnom Penh Post
Ambassador Hor Nambora (pictured) adds to criticisms of Carol Rodley, warning foreign embassies not to meddle in Cambodia's internal affairs.
CAMBODIA'S ambassador to Great Britain has joined the chorus of government officials calling for US Ambassador Carol Rodley to clarify recent comments that Cambodia loses US$500 million a year to corruption.
In a letter dated Thursday, Ambassador Hor Nambora said Rodley's comments, made during the Clean Hands anti-corruption concert in Phnom Penh on May 30, contradicted the "new approach" to US foreign policy ushered in by the Obama administration.
"While you are of course entitled to your personal opinions, the danger of expressing them publicly is that they can be interpreted as being politically motivated, which immediately compromises your reputation as an impartial observer of Cambodia and [an] honoured guest," he said in the letter.
"I hope that you will now reconsider your remarks, which appear to have been based on misinformation, and take urgent steps to clarify your position."
The US Embassy has so far declined to comment.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said Sunday that the ambassador's point of view undermined the existing good relationship between Phnom Penh and Washington.
"Our diplomat's letter was just a warning not to take strong action to interfere in the internal affairs of the Cambodian government," he said. "[It] was also a message to other embassies in Phnom Penh."
Four members of PACT Cambodia and the People's Centre for Development and Peace, which organised the concert, were questioned at City Hall on Thursday, but would not comment when contacted Sunday.
Monday, 08 June 2009
Phnom Penh Post
Ambassador Hor Nambora (pictured) adds to criticisms of Carol Rodley, warning foreign embassies not to meddle in Cambodia's internal affairs.
CAMBODIA'S ambassador to Great Britain has joined the chorus of government officials calling for US Ambassador Carol Rodley to clarify recent comments that Cambodia loses US$500 million a year to corruption.
In a letter dated Thursday, Ambassador Hor Nambora said Rodley's comments, made during the Clean Hands anti-corruption concert in Phnom Penh on May 30, contradicted the "new approach" to US foreign policy ushered in by the Obama administration.
"While you are of course entitled to your personal opinions, the danger of expressing them publicly is that they can be interpreted as being politically motivated, which immediately compromises your reputation as an impartial observer of Cambodia and [an] honoured guest," he said in the letter.
"I hope that you will now reconsider your remarks, which appear to have been based on misinformation, and take urgent steps to clarify your position."
The US Embassy has so far declined to comment.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said Sunday that the ambassador's point of view undermined the existing good relationship between Phnom Penh and Washington.
"Our diplomat's letter was just a warning not to take strong action to interfere in the internal affairs of the Cambodian government," he said. "[It] was also a message to other embassies in Phnom Penh."
Four members of PACT Cambodia and the People's Centre for Development and Peace, which organised the concert, were questioned at City Hall on Thursday, but would not comment when contacted Sunday.
3 comments:
I am a Khmer-American, I just want to make comment to the corruption remark by US Ambassador Carol Rodley, I agree with Ambassador Rodley, because of rampant corruption in Khmer's society, there are still millions and millions poor Khmer living below the poverty line right now.
Ambassdor Rodley do not need to clarify her recent comments about Cambodia losses about $500 mm due to corruption because it is true. the Hun Sen and his relatives are a bunch of corrupted individuals and there is nothing that I or you can really do anything about it.
Thanks
Jaya
Ah Chhleuy Hor 5 Bora
This guy Hor 5 Bora is the mafia Cambodian Embassy in London!!
He doesn't understand about the democratic.
What ambassador Carol Rodley said was true. Cambodia probably lost more than $500 million per year to corruption. Just look at Hun Sen, Sok And and Om Yintieng and other CPP leaders, they are super-rich. Where did they get the money from?
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