The creation of a bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Cambodia was announced by two United States lawmakers earlier this week, with both men hoping the US takes more of a role in the country’s growth economically and socially.
Representative Alan Lowenthal, a Democrat representing one of the largest Khmer communities outside Cambodia in Long Beach, California, and Representative Steve Chabot, a Republican from Ohio, came together to create the caucus and will serve as co-chairs.
Mr. Chabot is well-known to many Cambodians for his fruitless attempt to cut American aid to Cambodia ahead of the contentious election in 2013.
“On July 28, Cambodia will hold its fifth national election behind a false veil of democracy during which Hun Sen will win his fourth term as prime minister through the incitement of political violence, corruption and nepotism,” Mr. Chabot said during a congressional House Subcom¬mittee meeting on Asia and the Pacific in 2013.
“Cutting off direct aid to the Cambodian government, specifically foreign military financing and international military education and training funding, is a tangible action the US can take to show its condemnation of the upcoming fallacious and undemocratic election.”
Mr. Chabot and Mr. Lowenthal met with US Ambassador to Cambodia William Heidt last week to discuss the situation in Cambodia, and believe the caucus can assist in efforts to push human rights and economic development.
“The Cambodian Caucus offers a real opportunity for Congress and members of the public to vigorously discuss a full range of issues important to Cambodia’s development, and it will strengthen our bilateral relationship,” Mr. Lowenthal said.
“As the representative of so many Cambodian Americans, many of whom still have deep connections to Cambodia, I feel it is critical that Congress do everything it can to ensure that the United States continues to serve as a positive influence on Cambodia as it works to fully integrate into the international community.”
Mr. Chabot echoed his statement, saying Cambodia is “vital to the future of freedom and democracy in Southeast Asia.”
“Cambodia is fast becoming an important economic partner to the United States and it is imperative that we continue to foster Cambodia’s economic growth while promoting our core values like respect for human rights and rule of law,” he added.
Cambodia National Rescue Party spokesman Yim Sovann welcomed the effort, and said the caucus would “push Cambodia to improve freedoms, respect human rights and the rule of law.”
“Currently, Cambodia’s situation does not have enough respect for human rights. But this committee proves that Cambodia is not isolated,” he said.
He added that a number of US lawmakers have spoken to the opposition about their concerns on the arrest and detainment of party activists.
Ruling party spokesman Sok Ey San said assistance provided by the US is welcome, and cited organizations like the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute as examples of ways the US can constructively contribute to Cambodia.
“But if this committee is just created for intervention into Cambodia, that is unacceptable,” he added. Mr. Ey San went on to say that despite opposition attempts to claim human rights are not respected in Cambodia, there has been very little pressure from the US on the issue.
“Our relationship is good. Prime Minister Hun Sen went to California and Mr. Obama did not mention anything related to human rights,” Mr. Ey San said. “Mr. Obama did not put any pressure on the Cambodian government over human rights issues following criticism by some human rights organizations and CNRP members. He said nothing.”