By William E. Todd, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
As I prepare to return to Cambodia after spending time with my family in the United States, I would like to begin my first column of 2015 wishing everyone a Happy New Year. I am looking forward to what the year will bring and hope that you are as well. While continuing to receive your questions this past week, I noticed a sense of reflection among many Cambodian readers that is similar to what most Americans feel at the start of every new year. For example, Sophea in Siem Reap asked, “Looking at the progress made last year, do you think that Cambodia will see further political and economic development in 2015?”
I agree with Sophea’s belief that there was substantial progress in Cambodia. A number of significant developments in Cambodia during 2014 make me optimistic about the country’s prospects this year. One of my favorite highlights of last year was the return of the Water Festival after a three-year hiatus. I had the honor to attend the opening ceremony in the presence of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, the Prime Minister, and leaders from the National Assembly. It was a delight to join the people of Cambodia in watching the boats race down the river, continuing a tradition that has lasted for hundreds of years. The Water Festival is an opportunity to recognize the importance of rivers in Cambodia. Likewise, the New Year provides a chance to reflect and rededicate ourselves to protecting this precious resource, along with other elements that are crucial for the country’s political and economic development.
This past year, we observed some steps in the right direction for sustained democracy in Cambodia. Probably the most significant political event was the settlement between Prime Minister Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy on July 22, ending the CNRP’s boycott of the National Assembly in exchange for assurances of electoral reform. I was pleased to see the sides agree to a Cambodian solution to a Cambodian political problem. The agreement has shaped a new era of domestic politics, with National Assembly commissions regularly summoning government ministers for questioning about ministerial policy, budgets, and plans. This is a much welcomed first in Cambodian political history and a fine example of a maturing democracy. But much work remains, and political will is required to ensure progress does not stall.
In August, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia – also known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal – found Nuon Chea, the former deputy secretary of the communist party under Pol Pot, and KhieuSamphan, the former head of state during the Khmer Rouge regime, guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced them to life in prison. The verdicts were a positive development and marked an important milestone for the ECCC, one that many observers had never expected to see. No matter what happens in the future, these verdicts offered much deserved and long-awaited justice for the victims of the Khmer Rouge and their families.
Bolstered by both the conclusion of the political impasse as well as a strengthening global economy, Cambodia’s economic development continued to steadily increase in 2014. With garment exports and foreign direct investment as primary drivers, the economy grew by 7.2 percent and is expected to reach a 7.5 percent growth rate in 2015. This projection takes into account the higher minimum wage for garment sector workers, an increase of 28 percent that helped to address one the country’s most contentious issues. Cambodian rice – the country’s largest agricultural export, constituting 45 percent of all such exports – increased by 5.7 percent from January to September 2014. Furthermore, Cambodian jasmine rice was named the World’s Best Rice at the World Rice Conference in Phnom Penh. I expect that greater international recognition for more Cambodian products will generate new export opportunities and contribute to sustainable economic development.
I commend the efforts of the Royal Government, its political parties, the private sector, and the numerous individuals that made significant contributions to Cambodia’s political and economic growth in 2014. Although the country’s commitment to democratic principles was tested throughout the year – mainly due to a number of human rights cases and unresolved land disputes – the aforementioned successes are just a few examples that demonstrate the benefits of what Parliament member and activist Mu Sochua recently called a “culture of dialogue.” While much is to be said about the progress made in 2014, having open and honest discussion about lingering problems and following through with promises are essential for creating substantive reforms that will make a real difference in the lives of Cambodians.
I would be greatly remiss if I did not acknowledge the vital role that civil society played in the progress of 2014. Effective platforms were created for citizens to voice their ideas and participate in the political process. This helped strengthen calls for action on some of the major issues in Cambodia, including tackling corruption, guaranteeing free speech and press freedom, and protecting human rights. Government alone cannot deliver the broad-based sustainable development that is needed in Cambodia. We have seen that progress also requires a thriving civil society that empowers citizens to hold their government accountable and play an active role in finding innovative solutions that improve people’s lives. To those with concerns about the future of democracy in Cambodia in 2015 and beyond, I would point to the vibrancy of civil society here as a source of optimism.
In 2014, the U.S. Embassy worked tirelessly with the Royal Government, the private sector, and civil society on a number of issues, including strengthening democratic institutions, promoting economic development, defending human rights, improving healthcare, protecting the environment, advancing military cooperation, and enhancing education. The guiding principles for our joint efforts are not only focused on Cambodia’s political and economic development; they are also based on the needs and interests of the Cambodian people. The partnership between the United States and Cambodia led to the return of three 10th century statues – the Duryodhana, Bhima, and Balarama – to Cambodia in June, helping to preserve the country’s cultural legacy. In September, the U.S. Agency for International Development launched a five-year, $16.25 million nutrition and hygiene project, working with NGOs to assist approximately 500,000 Cambodians in rural communities in Battambang, Pursat, and Siem Reap. With the launch of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) – President Obama’s signature program for youth leadership development in Southeast Asia – thousands of Cambodian youth have been engaging with each other and with other young leaders throughout ASEAN. As we begin our work in 2015, I am pleased that Cambodia will serve as host for the first YSEALI regional exchange of the year, a workshop that will provide youth with hands-on training, networking, mentoring, and tools for leading their communities in addressing economic, environmental, educational, and civic engagement issues.
There is a well-known proverb that says, “You can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.” The first week of the New Year gives us a chance to look back at 2014, reflecting on examples of progress, unresolved issues, and opportunities for growth. Many lessons were learned from our combined experiences, so now this knowledge must be put to good use. In concluding my response to Sopha’s questions, I believe that Cambodia will indeed see further political and economic development in 2015. However, to achieve real and lasting change, we need to recognize our past success while remaining focused on ongoing efforts towards meaningful reform for the benefit of all Cambodian citizens.
I am very interested in hearing more from you about Cambodia in 2015. Please continue to send me your thoughts, reactions, and questions – in English or Khmer – to AskAMBToddPP@state.gov. You can also read entries from my blog at http://blogs.usembassy.gov/todd.
William E. Todd is U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
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