Cambodian clarification [Letter to the Bangkok Post by Ambassador You Ay]

Published: 17/11/2012
Bangkok Post
By Madam You Ay, Cambodian ambassador to Thailand 

I am writing with regard to Gregory Poling and Alexandria Sander's commentary, ''EAS offers Cambodia chance to restore its reputation'', (Nov 14), which is full of ignorance and misunderstanding. I wish to clarify and respond to a number of issues raised in the commentary to ensure that the readers have factual and balanced views, as follows:

First, it is not correct to say that ''Cambodia used its prerogative as Asean Chair to block the inclusion of the South China Sea in the Joint Communique'' (JC).

There were four paragraphs on the South China Sea in the draft JC, and the only paragraph which we did not have consensus on was paragraph 16.

As Asean Chair, Cambodia tried to negotiate a consensus-based text for paragraph 16, but two of the Asean member states insisted that paragraph 16 must either include what they had demanded on their claims in the South China Sea or the JC could not be issued at all. In fact, one of the Asean member states even went further to state that the issue was completely ''non-negotiable''.

Cambodia's position is that we must have consensus for the text on the one hand, and to ensure that what we do would not further contribute to the rising tensions in the South China Sea, on the other hand. Therefore, to state that Cambodia blocked the JC is purely calumnious.

Second, on Cambodia's image, there is no need to really focus on this issue, given the fact that Cambodia today is characterised by peace, security, stability and development.

Cambodia's economic growth was about 6.9% in 2011. For the next several years, Cambodia's economy is expected to grow at about 6-7% annually in the next several years and in the medium term. This is certainly unlike the recent chaos in one of its neighbouring countries.

Third, Cambodia is an open society. It has invited investments from around the world; investors from around the globe have invested in Cambodia, not just those from China. This is the reality!

At the same time, Cambodia exports its products to the big markets of the EU and the United States, which are the two largest markets for Cambodian exports. In addition to Japan and China, the US and the EU have been providing quite substantial amounts of assistance to Cambodia as well. Can we say the same of the EU and the US that they exert great influence and pressure on Cambodia, like that of China? China also has invested heavily in other Asean member countries as well as in countries such as the United States and Australia. So, can we also say that China has influence or pressure over those countries as well?

I would suggest that the two writers should do their homework more seriously in the future before writing and publishing such an article to mislead readers.

MADAM YOU AY
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Kingdom of Thailand