Stronger response on Cambodia wanted<\/p>\n
Australia's reaction to Hun Sen's actions has been weak.
\nCanberra did condemn Hun Sen's violent overthrow of the
\ndemocratically elected prime minister. But the reaction of some
\nother nations is instructive the U.S. immediately suspended all
\naid to Cambodia for a month while it reviews the situation;
\nGermany, another substantial donor, suspended its aid. The seven-
\nnation Association of South-East Asian Nations delayed
\nindefinitely Cambodia's entry into ASEAN, a huge blow to Hun
\nSen's ambitions for regional acceptance. ASEAN also raised Hun
\nSen's actions with the UN Security Council and most South-East
\nAsian nations evacuated their nationals from Phnom Penh in a
\nclear sign of disapproval.<\/p>\n
Australia has suspended for the moment most of our Defense Co-
\noperation Program but this is heavily compromised by the decision
\nto keep all the Australian defense personnel in place. The
\nimplication from this can only be that we expect to resume the
\nprogram sooner rather than later. It is an outrageous proposition
\nthat Australian defense personnel should be assisting Hun Sen's
\nsoldiers. They should be brought home. Leaving them there has
\ngravely undermined the force of our criticism of Hun Sen.
\nSimilarly, Canberra has decided to maintain Australia's overall
\naid program which has provided 92 million to Cambodia during the
\npast four years.<\/p>\n
The arguments for maintaining aid are always the same that
\ncancellation would harm innocent people. But parts of Australia's
\naid effort have clearly failed, such as the program to promote
\ngood government. Furthermore there are other elements, such as
\ninfrastructure support and education and training which, while
\ngood in themselves, would not, if canceled, result in immediate
\nhuman suffering. Hun Sen's ruthless, bloody and unconscionable
\nactions have resulted in real human suffering.<\/p>\n
Yesterday Alexander Downer correctly canceled a scheduled
\nvisit to Cambodia next month. Australia must take stronger,
\nconcrete action to give expression to our revulsion at Hun Sen's
\nruthless actions.<\/p>\n
-- The Australian<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/stronger-response-on-cambodia-wanted-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }