Cambodia threatens to expel senior UN official, cites comments on anti-corruption law

via CAAI News Media

Mon Mar 22, 7:13 AM

By The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Cambodia has threatened to expel a top U.N. envoy, saying his comments about a new anti-corruption law represented "flagrant and unacceptable interference" in its internal affairs, a government document seen Monday said.

A letter from Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said any further criticism by U.N. Resident Coordinator in Cambodia Douglas Broderick would compel the government to declare him "persona non grata," or a person unwelcome in the country.

Several telephone calls to Broderick's office were not answered.

The National Assembly approved a long-awaited anti-corruption law March 11, even though opposition lawmakers boycotted. They say the legislation was useless since it failed to create a transparent body to oversee enforcement or force public officials to reveal their assets.

A day earlier before its passage, Broderick's team issued a statement asking the government to allow sufficient time for concerned parties to analyze the draft law before it was fully debated by the National Assembly.

But the law was approved after two days of debate by the lower house of Parliament, 15 years after it was first proposed.

Under the new legislation, any official found guilty of taking bribes would face up to 15 years in prison.

Independent groups such as Transparency International routinely list Cambodia as one of the most corrupt countries in Asia. It is heavily dependent on foreign aid, and often faces criticism - though only weak pressure - from donor countries unhappy about the situation.

Hor Namhong said in his letter, dated Saturday, that Vijay Nambiar, a senior U.N. official, told Cambodia's permanent representative in New York that U.N. headquarters had not instructed its team in Cambodia to issue a statement about the anti-corruption law.

"The United Nations country team exceeded the limit of its mandate," Hor Namhong said.

"The unwarranted comments made by you in connection with the adoption of Cambodia's anti-corruption law is a flagrant and unacceptable interference in the internal (affairs) of Cambodia," the letter said.