Stronger response on Cambodia wanted

Stronger response on Cambodia wanted

Australia's reaction to Hun Sen's actions has been weak.
Canberra did condemn Hun Sen's violent overthrow of the
democratically elected prime minister. But the reaction of some
other nations is instructive the U.S. immediately suspended all
aid to Cambodia for a month while it reviews the situation;
Germany, another substantial donor, suspended its aid. The seven-
nation Association of South-East Asian Nations delayed
indefinitely Cambodia's entry into ASEAN, a huge blow to Hun
Sen's ambitions for regional acceptance. ASEAN also raised Hun
Sen's actions with the UN Security Council and most South-East
Asian nations evacuated their nationals from Phnom Penh in a
clear sign of disapproval.

Australia has suspended for the moment most of our Defense Co-
operation Program but this is heavily compromised by the decision
to keep all the Australian defense personnel in place. The
implication from this can only be that we expect to resume the
program sooner rather than later. It is an outrageous proposition
that Australian defense personnel should be assisting Hun Sen's
soldiers. They should be brought home. Leaving them there has
gravely undermined the force of our criticism of Hun Sen.
Similarly, Canberra has decided to maintain Australia's overall
aid program which has provided 92 million to Cambodia during the
past four years.

The arguments for maintaining aid are always the same that
cancellation would harm innocent people. But parts of Australia's
aid effort have clearly failed, such as the program to promote
good government. Furthermore there are other elements, such as
infrastructure support and education and training which, while
good in themselves, would not, if canceled, result in immediate
human suffering. Hun Sen's ruthless, bloody and unconscionable
actions have resulted in real human suffering.

Yesterday Alexander Downer correctly canceled a scheduled
visit to Cambodia next month. Australia must take stronger,
concrete action to give expression to our revulsion at Hun Sen's
ruthless actions.

-- The Australian