CAMBODIAN PM LAUDS US-CAMBODIAN TIES; WILL VISIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PHNOM PENH 000109 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP FO, EAP/MLS, EB/IFD/OMA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EFIN PHUM CB BM SUBJECT: CAMBODIAN PM LAUDS US-CAMBODIAN TIES; WILL VISIT BURMA IN MAY REF: PHNOM PENH 42 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. In a January 22 meeting with visiting PDAS Stephens, PM Hun Sen praised improvements in US-Cambodian ties over the past year. He spoke at length about RGC reform efforts, saying that economic growth and political development can move forward together. On Cambodia's bilateral debt with the U.S., Hun Sen characterized the two sides as being close to an agreement, and urged further discussions. The PM informed Stephens that he will visit Burma in May at Rangoon's invitation, and promised to meet with the Ambassador at a future time to discuss the visit. End Summary. Cambodia's Economic Picture Rosy; Reform Efforts Less So -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) PM Hun Sen thanked PDAS Stephens for visiting Cambodia and agreed that bilateral relations on are an upswing and greatly improved with the opening of the NEC. The PM thanked the USG for all assistance provided, particularly counterterrorism support, and stressed that CT cooperation should remain strong over the long term. His government, the PM continued, is committed to continuing reforms to generate economic growth and a higher living standard for the population. Growth estimates for 2006 remain preliminary but are likely to be approach 10 percent once agricultural data are available and factored in. Hun Sen said that Cambodia needs to continue double-digit growth figures for the next five years, and acknowledged that continued growth at that level will depend on RGC commitment to reforms, especially combatting corruption. Elections for commune councils in April 2007 and general elections in July 2008 are on track and will not be delayed, he added, although the costs of managing elections are high. If another party wins the election, the PM promised a smooth transition as the only way to avoid the problems Cambodia's neighbors have suffered, he quipped. Over the past 500 years of Cambodian history, said Hun Sen, the country's instability centered on the lack of an outlet for popular discontent or criticism of the government. That is why his government is committed to democracy and the freedoms it supports, as the Cambodian people have suffered enough in recent times. ¶3. (SBU) PDAS Stephens thanked the PM for his overview of the bilateral relationship and expressed appreciation for RGC help on CT issues; she applauded the PM's recognition that economic growth and political development can go hand-in-hand, and economic growth does not have to precede political development. She urged the PM to not be satisfied with elections that simply meet the standard of previous elections but to meet even greater expectations among the Cambodian electorate and the international community. She further urged the Cambodian government to conclude an agreement on its bilateral debt with the United States. PDAS Stephens encouraged the PM to consider the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) as a platform for future USG-RGC cooperation, and stressed the importance of a strong anti-corruption law and good governance program. ¶4. (SBU) On the debt issue, the PM responded that Cambodia and the United States are "very close," but encouraged further talks with the USG before concluding an agreement. He said that the Ministry of Economics and Finance has reported that the RGC and the USG have narrowed their respective positions while Cambodia and Russia remain "far away." Hun Sen mused that he must pay for the sins of his predecessors by assuming the Lon Nol era debt, but acknowledged that it is his government's responsibility -- as are all debts incurred under previous Cambodian governments. He noted that Cambodia has resolved its prior debts with many countries and will try hard on the debt owed the USG. Stephens underscored again that the RGC consider favorably the pending draft agreement provided to the RGC, noting that normalization of financial relations between the two countries would reinforce the positive attitude towards Cambodia among U.S. policymakers. The Ambassador reiterated the favorable impression held by USG visitors to Cambodia over the past year, and urged the RGC to take advantage of this goodwill and resolve long-standing issues like the debt to lay the basis for a stronger relationship in the future. ¶5. (SBU) On anti-corruption legislation, the PM stressed that the RGC is not ignoring the draft law, but must wait for legislative action on the draft penal and civil codes. Despite the absence of legislation, the PM said his PHNOM PENH 00000109 002 OF 002 government is trying to narrow the opportunities where corruption may occur -- whether in the forestry, fisheries, or business/commercial sectors. Ongoing reforms in each of these sectors will minimize corruption, but the PM underscored that fighting corruption can only be successfully addressed over the long term through passage of legislation. He added that good governance is the backbone of the government's Rectangular Strategy for development. Stephens agreed that addressing corruption goes beyond simple passage of a law, and that what a country does on corruption early on in its development can form the basis for continued strong economic performance and mitigation of the plague of corruption. ¶6. (SBU) The PM promised continued RGC support on regional issues, and cited his government's backing of the Japanese-sponsored human rights resolution on North Korea, as well as for continuation of the Six-Party talks. PDAS Stephens thanked the PM for his support on North Korea, and urged RGC help on the situation in Burma. The PM informed Stephens that Rangoon had invited him to visit Burma in May; Hun Sen promised to follow up with the Ambassador regarding the trip to Rangoon and ASEAN treatment of Burma. (Note: While the RGC did back the North Korean human rights resolution in the Third Committee, they voted against the Burma resolution. End Note.) Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Despite the PM's insistence that his commitment to reform remains as strong going into an election cycle as it did at the beginning of his mandate in 2003, we (as well as many others in the donor community) are unconvinced of RGC reform efforts. Both the Bank and the IMF have noted a slowing in RGC enthusiasm for reforms in public administration; anti-corruption efforts have stalled and there has been little RGC movement to stem land confiscations. Some contacts within the RGC stress that the international community must be patient; that following the 2008 elections, the PM will make personnel changes and there will renewed focus on reform programs. Others say that such reassurances precede every election, and that the RGC always moves slowly on reforms that impinge on the CPP's hold on power. We look forward to further discussions with the PM regarding his trip to Burma, and would welcome Washington and Embassy Rangoon suggestions as to how best the PM can promote democratic progress during his visit. End Comment. ¶8. (U) PDAS Stephens cleared this message. MUSSOMELI