Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-03-13-Speech-4-137"
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"en.20030313.6.4-137"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I would first like to thank the Commission. I believe that the fact that the worst has been avoided over the past few weeks is due to the actions of the Commission and, in particular, Commissioner Patten’s actions. Two weeks ago, I went to Phnom Penh. There, I received a dressing-down from Union ambassadors and the Commission representative who considered that the concerns I expressed, together with Mr Maaten and others, when Mr Sam Rainsy was forced to take refuge in the American consulate, to be exaggerated. A few days later, the sister of King Norodom Sihanouk was very seriously threatened by the prime minister and, two days later, Mr Om Radsady, whom I had met with Prince Ranariddh, was assassinated.
I think or, at least, I hope, that these events will subsequently have given the EU representatives in Phnom Penh pause for thought. It is strange that, here in Brussels or Strasbourg, we should have a more accurate perception of the problems and dangers that threaten a democratic process than people living in Phnom Penh. I believe we should also question all the cooperation projects we manage and the financial sum they represent. I think that this affects the kind of relations that representatives from our countries or our bodies can enjoy in Cambodia, with the vast number of cocktail parties and meetings with local VIPs.
The situation remains extremely worrying. I believe that our resolution is sound, and I would thank the authors for that. I feel that the threat to cancel the cooperation agreement, because that is precisely what we are talking about, is extremely important. It is a signal that can be heard by the authorities in Phnom Penh to encourage them to continue with the electoral process until July. I do not, however, believe that that will be enough, and with regard to the electoral observation mission, I believe that the ball is currently in Parliament’s court. The Commission has made proposals to appoint the head of this electoral observation mission. I do not think Parliament should allow a single day to pass before responding to the Commission’s invitation and appointing the head of the observation mission as soon as possible, so that they can go to Cambodia without delay, go there frequently and monitor the entire process from now until July. This person must not be merely a witness to the vote count at election time.
The most crucial game is now being played over access to the media, 95% of which are controlled by the authorities in Phnom Penh. This electoral mission will therefore have to wrestle with the authorities in Phnom Penh. I call upon the competent persons in Parliament to ensure that a strong-willed person is appointed and sent to Phnom Penh as soon as possible"@en1
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