Reality of the new Cambodia

After a week of crisis over the Phnom Penh violence, Cambodia, its neighbors and the world now come to the hard part. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) proved last week it remains able to react quickly in the face of regional emergency. Its decision to delay full membership for the new Cambodian regime headed by Second Prime Minister Hun Sen was decisive and correct. Now the diplomacy begins.

Hun Sen might not be a democrat, but he has clearly left the door open for possible negotiations -- both with his own political opposition and with a highly concerned world. The good news is that Hun Sen recognizes that a Cambodian dictatorship is unacceptable. He has called for elections, promised political rights, and assured freedom of the press. These promises must be tested, and must also be encouraged.

As always, the world can only offer its good offices to try to set Cambodia on a peaceful, democratic and prosperous track. But Cambodians themselves must provide the leadership and the work. For close to 30 years, Cambodia has been poorly led. Successive cliques and dictators have failed the country.

The best chance for Cambodia still lies in the democratic process. Yesterday, Hun Sen agreed to hold new elections, although he set no date. Previously, he had agreed to hold a vote next May. He must now be held to his promise, and the earlier the better. Friends of Cambodia should offer their help. Free and fair elections, which democratic foreigners can both help to arrange and watch, will give a new credibility to a Cambodian government. Hun Sen must promise to abide by the decision of such elections. It may be the last chance for Cambodians.

-- The Bangkok Post