Preserving Democracy and Saving Lives

By William E. Todd, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia

Thank you all for your excellent questions!  I couldn’t pick just one this week, so I’m going to tackle two.

We have received plenty of feedback – mostly positive, some not – on the U.S. Department of State’s announcement expressing concerns about the expulsion of opposition lawmakers from the National Assembly.  The statement noted that the expulsion by the Permanent Committee of the Cambodian National Assembly, made up entirely of members of the ruling party, “starkly contradicts the spirit of a healthy democratic process.”  One reader asked, “Given that Cambodia is a sovereign nation, why does the United States question its democratic process?”

In brief, we believe the action taken by the National Assembly limits the space for competing political parties in Cambodia, is contrary to the spirit of democracy, and risks tarnishing Cambodia’s image on the world stage.  It is also troubling to see such a controversial change to the political environment when the goal is for Cambodians and the world to witness an electoral process that is free from political interference.  Rather than enabling an honest, straightforward discussion of issues, the National Assembly has chosen to take away the opposition’s voice in parliament.  There is very little to be gained by this sort of action and much to lose, in terms of credibility and legitimacy of the political process.   

Having the power to take action does not necessarily mean one should use it.    Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger once said, “He who has great power should use it lightly.”  As Cambodia moves forward over the remaining six weeks before the election, I highly encourage all involved to use this time to uphold the spirit of democracy, to promote public and private peaceful debate, and focus on improving the electoral and political process so this can be the best election in Cambodia’s history.

  

A second question relates to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), which on June 3 announced that the country’s landmine casualties in the first four months of 2013 decreased 48 percent from the same period last year.  I would like to applaud the leadership of Director General Heng Ratana and the CMAC staff for this tremendous accomplishment.  This feat led one reader to ask, “What impact will this success have on future donor assistance for demining?”

The United States remains committed to helping Cambodia clear landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).  Since 1997, the U.S. government has provided more than $50 million in humanitarian mine action assistance, and we share the Royal Government’s vision to make Cambodia “mine impact-free” by 2020.  To help meet this challenge, we work closely with the Cambodian government and international non-governmental organizations on demining, UXO abatement, and victim-assistance projects in Cambodia.  The international donor community has helped Cambodia decrease the number of landmine and UXO casualties – both killed and wounded –from about 875 in 2005 to a little less than 200 in 2012.  Any number above zero, however, is still too high, which is why we remain committed to clearance efforts.

It is always an honor for me to meet the brave deminers who are working to make Cambodia safer.  Many of them have been victims of mine accidents or have lost friends and family member to mines.  Instead of deterring them, this experience has motivated them to make Cambodia safer for the farmers and villagers who are most frequently the victims of mines and UXO.  It reminds me of a famous quote by U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who once implored Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”  The men and women of CMAC and all the other demining operators in Cambodia have answered that same call for their own country. 

Cambodian deminers are not just making Cambodia safer; they are also making the world safer.  Cambodia’s National Center for Peacekeeping Forces, Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance has deployed United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world, sharing its expertise with other countries.  Cambodia’s mine action strategy has been so successful that other countries like Laos and Burma look to Cambodia as an example.

Our cooperation with the Cambodian government on mine and UXO clearance unequivocally demonstrates what can be accomplished when we work together towards a common goal.  The United States remains committed to making Cambodia a safer place, and we look forward to continuing this cooperation with our friends and partners.  

Thank you all for staying tuned to my “Ask the Ambassador” column.  I look forwarding to answering your questions next week, but the only way I can do that is to hear from you at AskAmbToddPP@state.gov. 

William E. Todd is U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia

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