AMBASSADOR PRESSES CAMBODIAN DPM ON TIP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PHNOM PENH 001092

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, G/TIP AND EAP/RSP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL CB KWMN
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESSES CAMBODIAN DPM ON TIP

REF: A. SECSTATE 85578


B. SECSTATE 89018


1. (SBU) Summary: On June 8, the Ambassador delivered the
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) demarche to Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng noting the
upgrade from Tier 3 to Tier 2 Watch List. While praising
Cambodia's progress during the previous year, he emphasized
that law enforcement officials have not done an exemplary job
in recent months. He also urged the speedy passage of the
draft anti-TIP law. DPM Sar Kheng welcomed Cambodia's
upgrade and pledged to redouble RGC efforts on TIP. The
Ambassador also pressed for progress in fighting corruption,
which hurt TIP and other efforts. End Summary.

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TIP DEMARCHE
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2. (SBU) On June 8, the Ambassador delivered the
Trafficking in Persons demarche to DPM Sar Kheng, and
provided the text of the Cambodian report included in reftel.
He encouraged Cambodia to pass pending anti-TIP legislation
and to maintain Cambodia's positive momentum on anti-TIP
efforts. The number of police investigations has declined in
recent months, noted the Ambassador, who urged the MOI to
increase its efforts. He lauded the work of an RGC
delegation led by Minister of Women's Affairs Ing Kantha
Phavi and Ministry of Interior and Justice officials who
visited Washington for detailed consultations on TIP issues.


3. (SBU) The DPM was pleased that Cambodia had been moved
from Tier 3 to the Tier 2 Watch List. He noted that the new
Tier ranking came with an interim assessment, which the DPM
thought would ensure that Cambodia did not backtrack on its
commitments. He promised to look into the anti-trafficking
law and encourage its passage to show Cambodia's commitment
to fighting TIP. Sar Kheng went on to state that he will
look into concerns that law enforcement efforts have
declined. The DPM said that the Tier upgrade will encourage
Cambodia to maintain its focus on fighting human trafficking.

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CORRUPTION IN CAMBODIA
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4. (SBU) The Ambassador went on to explain that Washington
also wanted to see progress on corruption, which affected
Cambodia's performance on TIP and other areas. He emphasized
that it was important that an anti-corruption law be passed
that met international standards. He added that passing such
a law would affect how the donor community as well as foreign
investors look at Cambodia. The Ambassador noted that
Cambodia has the opportunity to improve its performance on
fighting corruption just as it had increased its anti-TIP
efforts.


5. (SBU) The DPM agreed that the passage of the
anti-corruption law was important but added that this is a
sensitive issue. He talked about the need to decentralize
power in Cambodia. He noted how well Cambodia's economy had
been growing recently but only a few people were receiving
the fruits of that growth; he saw decentralization as a cure
to this uneven growth. Sar Kheng reflected that on a recent
visit to Japan, he met a provincial governor and saw how a
province of 800,000 people generated revenue of $4 billion
while the 14 million people in Cambodia generated less than
$1 billion in revenue. He thanked the USG for the assistance
given for administrative reform and singled out for praise
the $3 million per year in funding from USAID for a local
administration reform program.


6. (SBU) The Ambassador offered to send a copy of the
suggested changes to the anti-corruption law put forward by
the donor community to the DPM for consideration. Sar Kheng
said he would review the suggestions and see how the MOI can
be of assistance in the incorporation of the proposed changes
to the draft bill.

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COMMENT
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7. (SBU) Sar Kheng did not appear to be surprised by the
suggestion that the police have not been as diligent in
anti-TIP investigations and arrests since earlier in the

PHNOM PENH 00001092 002 OF 002


year. We plan to see Police Commissioner Hok Lundy next week
to convey our concerns and urge his office to actively pursue
investigation requests from NGOs. The MOI, which has an
interest in the anti-corruption legislation given the
investigatory nature of the Anti-Corruption Body, is not in a
strong position to affect changes to the draft law at this
stage, although DPM Sar Kheng carries weight in ruling party
deliberations.
STORELLA