The course of a country’s democratic development is never a straight path; it is one filled with crossroads that require good choices to keep the country on the proper path. I believe that Cambodia is at such a point on its journey to becoming an enduring democracy, when it must decide what will be normal and acceptable standards for the country’s political space. One young lady named Sopheap prompted me to think about these choices with her question, “Mr. Ambassador, what do you think is the future of democracy in Cambodia?” Sopheap’s question is a difficult one to answer because the future depends entirely upon the decisions that Cambodia will make in the coming days, weeks, and months about important matters like protecting individual freedoms and respecting dissenting voices. In my view, it is critical that these choices contribute to an environment that encourages negotiations and promotes peace and national reconciliation.
On several occasions last year, the United States commended the Royal Government for the restraint it showed in managing security for many of the protests during the post-election period. During this time, we were hopeful that the permissive environment for peaceful demonstrations heralded a new chapter in Cambodia’s history, one in which democratic norms would be adopted and followed. There was also guarded optimism that national unity could be achieved through the pursuit of critically needed reforms and a political settlement that would bring the opposition into the National Assembly. Unfortunately these hopes suffered a setback in early January when violence erupted and the country’s political space shrunk due to the subsequent ban on political gatherings.
Being ever the optimist, however, I have faith that the two political parties can still find a peaceful resolution to the current crisis. To that end I believe now more than ever that there needs to be an environment conducive to reopening negotiations, something the government and the opposition have repeatedly stated they want. For this to occur, there must be an atmosphere in which constitutional rights, like the freedoms of assembly and expression, are respected, and there must be a true willingness among all stakeholders to discuss the issues that are most important to ordinary Cambodians. Such an approach has proven time and time again to be the most effective way for countries to address their most pressing challenges and is what I hope will become the “new normal” for Cambodia’s democracy. The release on bail of two of the protesters arrested January 2-3 is a welcome step toward creating the needed environment. Other steps that could be taken quickly would be the lifting of the ban on demonstrations and the release of the remaining 21 protesters.
Despite the setbacks of the past few weeks, Cambodia can still alter its direction and aim for a better future by vigorously pursuing reforms that advance human rights, strengthen democracy, and provide increased opportunities for all Cambodians. As we have seen, progress and positive change are possible in Cambodia if there is enough political will. A transparent review of reported electoral irregularities remains vital to bringing closure to the controversy surrounding the national elections and implementing meaningful election reforms, which in turn would set the stage for addressing other issues of concern to voters like corruption and the independence of the courts. I continue to urge both major political parties to return to the negotiating table and engage in genuine dialogue to resolve the political stalemate, keeping in mind that no democracy can work without compromise on all sides. This course alone can deliver the peace, prosperity, and security that the Cambodian people deserve.
While I’m not really able to answer Sopheap’s question about the future of democracy in Cambodia, the choices facing the country that will determine this future are clear. I sincerely believe, however, that the future can be a bright one if the rights of citizens are protected and the ruling and opposition parties engage in a meaningful give-and-take. My hope is that quick action on these issues will lead to a resolution of the ongoing political impasse by April so that the Khmer New Year is a time of much greater hope and optimism than we witnessed with the international New Year in January.
Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to answer your important questions. I believe Cambodia can live up to its democratic potential, and our discussion of this issue is generating some positive options for moving forward. For answers to your questions, please continue to e-mail me at AskAMBToddPP@state.gov and leave comments on my blog at http://blogs.usembassy.gov/todd.
William E. Todd is U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
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