Reality of the new Cambodia

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