EAP/MLS DEPUTY DIRECTOR PALMER SEES UP CLOSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 PHNOM PENH 000811 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, IO, DRL, S/WCI USUN FOR M. SIMONOFF E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV KJUS PHUM EAID CB SUBJECT: EAP/MLS DEPUTY DIRECTOR PALMER SEES UP CLOSE CAMBODIA'S PROGRESS, CHALLENGES REF: A. STATE 108210 ¶B. PHNOM PENH 765 ¶C. PHNOM PENH 746 ¶D. PHNOM PENH 745 ¶E. PHNOM PENH 652 ¶F. PHNOM PENH 62 Classified By: DCM Theodore Allegra for reasons 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: EAP/MLS Deputy Director Matthew Palmer visited Cambodia October 20-26 to take part in a Conference on the Lower Mekong Initiative (septel),meet key counterparts in the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), address human rights issues, visit bilateral assistance program sites, and observe the Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT). While progress was palpable at the KRT, with the first case soon coming to a close, the complications to be faced in the second case against four Khmer Rouge leaders were evident. A visit to a resettlement site west of Phnom Penh showed some progress being made to handle land issues. Human rights leaders indicated that, while progress had been made in the 2008 national election, the restriction of political space since that time remained a major issue. Cambodia's bilateral border dispute with Thailand was painted by Senior Minister Var Kim Hong as solvable under international law, but Cambodia is waiting for Thai action in Thailand's parliament. Palmer also briefed Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary of State Ouch Borith on the latest plans for the Lower Mekong Initiative and outlined the new U.S. approach towards Burma. END SUMMARY. Khmer Rouge Tribunal -------------- ¶2. (SBU) KRT Public Affairs Section chief Reach Sambath led a brief tour of the KRT courtroom facilities, noting the large auditorium had hosted more than 27,000 Cambodian observers at the seven-month-long trial (Case 001) of S-21 torture center head Kaing Guek Eav (aka Duch) and that the advanced audiovisual equipment allowed for live feeds, including live telecasts of the trial by the popular CTN TV network. In a subsequent joint briefing by the ECCC's national director Tony Kranh and UN deputy Knut Rosandhaug, Kranh remarked on the success of Case 001, which could make the ECCC a model for hybrid tribunals undertaken with the UN but hosted by the nation in which international crimes had been committed. He underscored that such a "mixed court" also posed challenges in meeting international standards as well as in attracting needed financial support. Although the KRT administration was comprised of one court with two components, Kranh said that the UN and the Cambodian sides had very good relations. The closing arguments in the Duch case in mid-November were expected to be a big event in Cambodia and would attract much international attention, he concluded. ¶3. (SBU) Deputy Director Rosandhaug said the KRT faced the prospect of massive enhancements to its pace and process in 2010 to meet the requirements of Case 002 against four Khmer Rouge leaders -- Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith. He glossed over the budget for 2010-2011 (which others have reported as approximately $64 million for the international side and $19 million for the national side), but noted positive developments in the appointment of Clint Williamson as a Special Advisor to the UN Office of the Legal Advisor (UN/OLA),who is expected to focus on the KRT. When asked about implementing the mechanism to prevent corruption (Ref B),Rosandhaug said that although some in the court did not easily understand this ombudsman-type mechanism, its start-up was underway. But more importantly, all of the evidence suggested that corruption at the court had ceased and was no longer a problem. ¶4. (SBU) Rosandhaug speculated on the timetable for the conduct of the three cases before the court -- Cases 001 and 002 against the five detained suspects, and Case 003 for a sealed indictment against five additional unnamed suspects who remain under investigation. Rosandhaug said that the timetable and resulting budget were "much more credible" as the result of budget planning by former Special Advisor to UN/OLA David Tolbert. A rough sketch of that timeline follows: Case 001 Closing arguments Nov. 2009 PHNOM PENH 00000811 002.3 OF 004 Judges' Decision March 2010 Appeal conclusion End of 2010 Case 002 Co-investigation by judges ends End of 2009 Closing Order (CO) Sept. 2010 Appeals of CO Dec. 2010 Trial ends Mid- 2012 Judges' Decision Dec. 2012 Appeal conclusion End of 2013 Case 003 Co-investigation by judges ends July 2011 Closing Order Apr. 2012 Appeals of CO Aug. 2012 Trial ends Early 2014 Judges' Decision Mid- 2014 Appeal conclusion Mid- 2015 ¶5. (SBU) Stating his belief that Cambodia did not intend to violate international standards at the KRT, Rosandhaug nonetheless cautioned that some in the RGC did not understand the concept of separation of powers, such as between the legislature and the judiciary. Although he gave no indication of any interference to date, Rosandhaug appealed for the United States to remain engaged in the ECCC as both a donor and as a moral leader to communicate the international community's expectations for credible justice. He also praised the work of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-CAM) as "invaluable" to the ECCC's mission. ¶6. (SBU) ECCC acting international Co-Prosecutor William Smith gave Palmer a brief assessment of judicial progress, stating that the prosecutor may seek to begin courtroom proceedings in Case 002 as early as November 2010. He gave assurances that the KRT cases were "tuned and narrow," and wer not too broad or complicated. Thus, although he acknowledged the potential for "political" interference, he speculated that the cases could proceed well as a result. The other "real issues" facing the court were the three-languages requirement and the ages of the four main accused in Case 002, he said. Smith, an Australian national, made clear his view that the Pre-Trial Chamber must sit full-time in order to accomplish its work in a timely fashion to keep Case 002 moving. On cooperation with the Cambodian co-prosecutor, he said that the two sides had agreed to disagree on the Case 003 submissions (NOTE: the Cambodian co-prosecutor was opposed and the Pre-Trial Chamber ruled in favor of prosecuting. END NOTE),but that they had very, very good cooperation on the work of their office. The Long View on Human Rights -------------- ¶7. (SBU) At a lunch hosted by the DCM, the four most influential human rights leaders in Cambodia gave their views on the current status of human rights in the country. Kek Pung of activist group LICADHO gave the most emotional and pessimistic assessment, noting the unsolved killing of journalists over the years (the last in 2008),and claiming that Koh Kong residents along a river that was being dredged for sand (in violation of an order by Prime Minister Hun Sen) had lost their livelihoods. All of the HR leaders agreed that the political space in Cambodia was now narrower as a result of a spate of defamation cases in 2009 (Ref D),and expressed unspecified concerns for the new Penal Code's potential effect on freedom of expression. They had similarly non-specific anxiety about the potential for a proposed draft "NGO Law" to curtail their organizations' activities. ADHOC Leader Thun Saray explained the pressure put on ADHOC land issues advocate Pen Bonnar in Ratanakiri by a local judge, and ADHOC's decision to remove their rights advocate from that area. Ou Virak of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights presented an overall positive view of Cambodia's human rights development and noted that the judge's numerous improprieties had come to the attention of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, which would likely investigate the judge. (NOTE: We later confirmed that the RGC was actively investigating the judge for corruption related to Ratanakiri land cases. END NOTE.) ¶8. (SBU) Thun Saray observed that a free market economy could not exist in the absence of a pluralistic democracy, and vice versa. He and the other human rights leaders urged the U.S. PHNOM PENH 00000811 003 OF 004 to press the RGC on this point, while helping to reaffirm the dynamic and hopeful character of the Cambodian people. Christophe Peschoux noted that the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was making progress in Cambodia, especially with the Ministry of Interior on some aspects of due process, but that many challenges to the rule of law remained, including corruption. Although most agreed that the national election in 2008 was the most peaceful and best-regulated to date, reactions were mixed about the actions of the elected parliament controlled by the CPP (with 90 of 123 seats) and with internal rules that allow for little participation by the opposition other than 20 minutes of debate time allotted to a "group of 10." Issues regarding land claims were considered a central problem by all four human rights advocates. ¶9. (SBU) Palmer visited Damnak Trayoeung, a resettlement site occupied by former residents of the Dey Krahorm community who were forcibly evicted in January after a long-running land dispute in central Phnom Penh (Ref F). The site, while vastly improved since January with access to electricity, water, and schools, nevertheless highlighted some of the humanitarian issues related to evictions and resettlement in Cambodia. Former Dey Krahorm land-owners had received brick apartments in Damnak Trayoeung, but former renters, who under Cambodian law were not eligible for compensation, continue to live under tarps or other makeshift structures at the site and rely on NGOs for basic humanitarian support. A renter community representative told Palmer that the government planned to move them again to neighboring Kandal Province. Land Border Dispute Stuck in Thai Parliament -------------- ¶10. (SBU) At the RGC Council of Ministers, Var Kim Hong, Senior Minister and Chairman of the RGC Border Committees briefed Palmer on UNESCO's 2008 inscription of the Preah Vihear Temple World Heritage Site and the subsequent dispute with Thailand over 4.6 square kilometers adjacent to the site. Var Kim Hong reasserted that Cambodia stood by the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962, that a French-Siam survey in 1904-07 and the map it produced (and used by the ICJ) were a sound basis for border demarcation negotiations with Thailand, and that Cambodia was ready to resolve the issue peacefully based on a 2000 MOU with Thailand and related Terms of Reference. Var Kim Hong praised the professionalism of his Thai counterpart on the Joint Border Commission (JBC),but lamented that the JBC could not meet because the Thai parliament had yet to approve 3 joint Cambodian-Thai communiqus already initialed in prior meetings over the last 18 months. Var Kim Hong mentioned that agreed border resolution mechanisms were poised to move just as soon as the Thai parliament took a decision on the joint communiqus. These mechanisms would include further negotiations within the main JBC as well as the convening of a joint legal committee and a joint border demarcation team supplemented by joint de-mining activities in agreed areas along the border areas. (NOTE: Tens of thousands of mines were laid along the Thai-Cambodian border during Cambodia's multiple conflicts during the period 1969 to 1998. It was only in late 1998 when the Khmer Rouge finally laid down its weapons that locations such as the Preah Vihear Temple reverted to Cambodian government control, and many areas immediately adjacent to the 805-kilometer border have not been de-mined. END NOTE.) Var Kim Hong also remarked on the need to implement a Cambodian-Thai agreement to re-deploy troops now in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple. Mekong River Initiative -------------- ¶11. (SBU) At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Palmer October 22 briefed Secretary of State Ouch Borith on the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI),noting that the Deputy Chiefs of Mission from the four Lower Mekong countries and senior USAID personnel had met in Phnom Penh to discuss next steps. We wanted to follow up the commitments from the Phuket ministerial and set the stage for what we hoped would be a similarly successful ministerial in Hanoi. The LMI had strong support in Washington and from the Lower Mekong countries themselves. We were interested in RGC ideas to refine the initiative and further strengthen cooperation in the areas agreed to in Phuket, including health, environment, and education. PHNOM PENH 00000811 004 OF 004 ¶12. (SBU) Ouch Borith said that Foreign Minister Hor Namhong had been highly receptive to the LMI and was eager to know when an experts group could meet. For Cambodia, among the most significant concerns were climate change and protecting the environment of the Mekong River. The RGC looked forward to more information on the LMI and intended to cooperate fully in the effort, he concluded. ¶13. (SBU) Palmer raised Cambodia's recent spate of defamation cases (Ref D) as a problem that affected USG perceptions of Cambodia. Ouch Borith replied that he has had frank discussions with the EU on the same subject, but noted that Cambodia had been acting in accordance with an UN-drafted law from the UNTAC era in order to defend the credibility and honor of RGC leaders. Acknowledging that the right balance had to be struck between defending honor and allowing freedom of expression, Ouch Borith urged more officials from the U.S. to visit Cambodia in order to see the scope of freedom of expression that is evident throughout Cambodian society. Burma -------------- ¶14. (C) Palmer then briefed Ouch Borith on the U.S. Burma policy review and current plans for U.S. engagement with Burmese officials (Ref A). Noting that sanctions had not worked in Burma, Ouch Borith said that Cambodia welcomed the new Burma policy. Referring to gas and oil pipelines the Burmese junta was developing jointly with Thailand, Ouch Borith said that business as usual continued with the Burmese despite the sanctions. If the world pushes too hard with sanctions, Burma will "go to India and China," he cautioned. When Senator Webb met with Prime Minster Hun Sen in August (Ref E),the Prime Minister noted his support for the democratization of Burma, his concern about Aung San Suu Kyi, and his support for elections in 2010. In the meantime, Cambodia would wait to see what happens with A/S Campbell's visit to Burma in November. Ouch Borith took on board the USG request that other ASEAN nations -- including Cambodia -- underscore to the Burmese leadership they have a new opening to improve their standing in the international community if they moved forward now to address the world's concerns. TIP Challenges -------------- ¶15. (SBU) In meetings with anti-trafficking NGOs in Siem Reap, Palmer heard of the many challenges facing Cambodia in the fight against trafficking and child sex tourism. Rong Ratana from Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE),noted he receives good cooperation from the national police, which he believes is committed to the issue, but that he faces obstacles with the court, which is corrupt, focuses on hard evidence, and often ignores victim testimony. Rong admitted that APLE focuses on Western sex tourists because they are easier to spot and often approach or groom the child directly. Asians tend to be more careful and use middlemen to solicit children. Although procuring prostitution is illegal, middlemen such as tuk-tuk drivers or guest house operators are typically not targeted or prosecuted by law enforcement and the courts. Rong also noted the lack of capacity within law enforcement and Cambodia as a whole in the area of information technology as being a major obstacle to successful forensic child pornography investigations. ¶16. (SBU) Sao Chhoeurth, National Coordinator for NGO AFESIP which also provides victims assistance, affirmed that the government is committed, but that it lacked capacity, sufficient policies, and clear plans. Chhoeurth indicated that the TIP Report is a "powerful tool" for promoting change, and has prompted increased action and understanding of the problem of human trafficking in Cambodia. According to Chhoerth, noteworthy recent government advancements include the creation of TIP working groups and increased consultation with NGOs. ¶17. (SBU) EAP/MLS Deputy Director Matthew Palmer cleared this cable. RODLEY