US on Sidelines: Russel

KHMER TIMES
SAFIYA CHARLES AND ROS CHANVEASNA

Daniel Russel with acting opposition leader Kem Sokha. KT/Mai Vireak

The US government’s most senior Asian diplomat has said the Obama administration will not take sides in the country’s upcoming elections despite the perceived increase in pressure being placed on opposition party members by the government and requests from the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to monitor election preparations as well as the aftermath at the polls.

The message comes as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel closes a week-long, three-nation tour of the region.

He visited the Philippines – where President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent comments on a “separation” from the US have led to confusion and uncertainty – and stopped in Thailand before meeting with government officials, CNRP party members and civil society organizations in Cambodia yesterday.

After a closed-door meeting between the US envoy and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn, ministry spokesman Chum Sounry said the two officials discussed the current political climate and ways of strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, which now includes joint military cooperation, enhanced trade tariffs and educational exchange programs.

Addressing a group of reporters, Mr. Russel said the US would not takes sides in the country’s political conflict, but instead would play a conciliatory role to “extend a helping hand” in the escalating war of words between the two opposing political factions.

“Rather than pass judgment, we are here to consult and put heads together with our Cambodian counterparts on how we can advance the goals of due process, rule of law and economic growth,” he said.

Mr. Sounry confirmed that the US official had assured Mr. Sokhonn that the purpose of his visit was not to criticize the Cambodian government, but to “discuss and exchange ideas.”

The country is approaching its sixth election since the United Nations, UNTAC-sponsored ballot in 1992 that saw the peacekeeping body temporarily take control of the country’s administration, carrying out its first democratic elections since the takeover by the Khmer Rouge.

Analysts have questioned whether the current government is moving the country backwards rather than forwards in the lead-up to the next round of elections, skeptical of whether it will uphold the right to free and fair elections drafted in the Paris Peace Accords and ratified by Cambodia 25 years ago.

The recent exile of opposition party leader Sam Rainsy, announced last week, under the direct order of the Council of Ministers – which immediately drew the ire of human rights officials both at home and abroad – has only fueled more doubt.

Mr. Rainsy was living in self-imposed exile in France before the government announced it would do everything in its power to keep him from returning to the country – a direct violation of the country’s constitution.

CNRP vice-president Kem Sokha still remains holed up at the party’s headquarters facing five months in prison after he was convicted in absentia last month for failing to appear in court to give testimony in two cases related to an affair with his alleged mistress.   

“If in the upcoming elections Sam Rainsy is not here [then] Kem Sokha will not be able to campaign. It’s a hard thing to accept,” said CNRP official Yem Ponhearith.

To this end, Mr. Russel was optimistic, stating that past actions did not necessarily dictate the future and he placed his faith in the power of civil society – who he contended had benefited from a growing economy and better education.

“I’m a believer in human progress, I’m a believer that people learn from their experiences and learn from their mistakes and I’m a believer in the power of civil society,” he said.

In spite of concerns on the strength of Cambodia’s democracy raised on a recent visit by UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur Rhona Smith – who referred to the government’s apparent use of the judiciary to execute its will as “discriminatory and politicized” – Mr. Russel lauded the country’s positive, albeit measured, progress – affirming that 2016 had been a big year for Cambodia with trade, tourism, investment and education all on the rise.

Looking to the region, Mr. Russel has played a significant role in crafting the US’ “pivot to Asia.” The rebalance has served as a cornerstone of the Obama administration, seeking to strengthen the world power’s relationship with Pacific nations as China flexes its muscles among the countries in the region.

Expressing Southeast Asia’s vital importance to the US, he cited the partnerships within Asean as benefits of progress that were facilitating growth among Cambodia and its allies.

“The pivot isn’t a sport where we keep score on zero sum basis. It is a strategic engagement by the United States in the stability and growth of the Asia-Pacific. The rebalance isn’t something that the United States is doing to other countries, we are participating,” he said.

“One, because we are a Pacific country. Two, because our economic future is inextricably linked to that of the region and number three, because stability and security in the Asia-Pacific benefits not only the people of Asia, but also the people of the United States.”

Yet these newfound relationships have shown cracks in recent months. A growing rift between the Philippines and the US has threatened to challenge the seven-decade alliance with the island nation.

The country has threatened to put an end to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Act, a bilateral defense deal that facilitates a military partnership between the two.

The State Department official glossed over any potential snares, admitting that relations between the two countries hadn’t always been amiable and included “some scratchy chapters” before reassuring that the US would remain a supportive and friendly ally.

“Our response to the Philippines is that they can count on the United States as a friend, as a partner, as an ally,” he said. “We share tremendous common interests and we stand ready to work with the government in the areas where the government seeks to work with us – very much the approach we take with Cambodia as well.”

To the likely dismay of Cambodian opposition supporters, Mr. Russel’s assertion signals that the US will likely apply the same “hands-off” approach in the Kingdom.