Speech

SHARING AN OVERVIEW ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAMBODIAN CIVIL SOCIETY DURING TEN YEARS

December 5th, 2001
Gotaro OGAWA
Ambassador of Japan

Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen

I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the ten years of active existence of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association. I commend the important role it has played during the decade of nascent development stage of the Cambodian society. I appreciate the precious occasion for me to express my feeling on the "Development of Cambodian Civil Society during 10 years."

The Cambodian Constitution promulgated in 1993 reflected the spirit of Paris Peace Agreements and thus adopted a democratic, pluri-party political system and a market economy while guaranteeing human rights and freedom of speech. It is my humble opinion that this Constitution laid an important foundation for the subsequent development of a civil society in Cambodia. In fact, Cambodian people exerted tremendous efforts during the tumultuous period that followed and, with the assistance of the international community, managed to obtain a gradual rehabilitation of their country and a measure of success in developing their civil society. The presence of distinguished speakers from government and non-government organizations is a testimony to this achievement.

Looking back through the past decade, the success of the national elections of 1993 and 1998, both of which were carried out with the participation of about 90% of eligible voters, contributed greatly to the development of a democratic society in this country. The fall of the Khmer Rouge forces in 1998 brought about a long-awaited peace and stability in the country, thus improving the environment for further progress in the construction of a sound civil society.

By the same token, and now looking ahead, I consider the commune elections to be held in next February will mark a historical step forward toward the development of a grass-root democracy. To be frank, my earlier judgment was that the holding of commune elections was a little bit premature if we consider the level of the development in the political system and the state of administrative capacity in rural areas. At present time, however, I am rather confident that the commune elections will be carried out without serious problems. I can reasonably expect also that the elections will pave the way for a real decentralization of the current political system and further enhance the development of civil society. I will tell you why.

First, on a number of occasions, I have discussed commune election issues with H.E. Mr. Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Co-Minister of Interior. I have been strongly impressed by his strong determination to carry out the February elections as well as by the continuous efforts and actions he has actually undertaken in preparation for the elections.

Secondly, all people or groups of people related to the elections are working seriously and conscientiously for the coming February. I have met members of the National Election Committee (NEC) on various occasions. I toured remote provinces in the northwest and northeast regions and interviewed many local political party leaders, members of PEC and CEC, as well as newly selected commune clerks in order to feel the state of preparations in communes. As a result, I have a few provisional observations.

The Royal Government of Cambodia provided much more of its own budget for the elections than the previous one in 1998. There seems to be a sense of "ownership" in carrying out their own elections.

Despite many difficulties, local election committee members are very conscientiously carrying out their duties. The newly selected commune clerks have received or going to receive trainings for their future job.

Political parties are trying to carry out free and non-violent elections at the commune and provincial levels.

There seems to be a symptom of greater recognition on the part of local people that they would be able to have a power to decide by themselves for the development of their own communes.

Of course, many problems and challenges exist, for instance human resources development after the elections is an enormous task. But I have the impression that the people are working seriously. I consider the process of preparation itself directly contributes to the development of civil society.

If Cambodian people succeed in realizing non-violent, free elections next February, it will be a large step forward in constructing a sound civil society.

I am glad that Japan, as the largest donor for the commune elections, assists this process.

In 1980's when foreign governments including Japan, had not started assistance to the Cambodian people who were still undergoing torturous time in the war-torn country, quite a few number of NGOs already conducted their activities to help poor people in this country. I highly pay tribute to those NGOs. I understand that, today, there are approximately 170 international NGOs, some 270 local Khmer NGOs operating in Cambodia. Those NGOs as a whole manage about 10% of the total amount of the external assistance that Cambodia receives every year. The NGOs work hard under difficult conditions in many sectors and geographical areas where Cambodian or foreign governments cannot reach. They not only extend material assistance to the poor people but also provide "soft-ware" assistance such as education, democratization, etc.... The ADHOC is a remarkable case in point. Their role is growing and I sincerely wish that more NGOs operate especially in remote provinces. As for Japan, about 20 Japanese NGOs operate in Cambodia. One good example is Japan International Volunteers Center (JVC) which established a vocational training center in auto-repair as early as in 1987. These days an increasing number of Lions Clubs and other organizations provide assistance from Japan.

Excellencies, distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen,

By way of conclusion, I would like to say a few words about Japan's contribution to the development of civil society in Cambodia.

The Japanese government adopted its "ODA Charter" in 1992 in order to provide guiding principles to its aid activities. It stipulates in particular that "Full attention should be paid to efforts for promoting democratization and introduction of a market-oriented economy, and the situation regarding the securing of basic human rights and freedoms in the recipient country."

Therefore "democratization," "market-oriented economy," "basic-human rights," and "freedom" are the key words in extending Japanese aid activities to developing countries.

Japan's assistance to Cambodia covers numerous sectors with a particular focus on 1) infrastructure building, 2) agriculture and rural development, 3) social sector such as health and education, and finally human resources development. While assistance in infrastructure and agriculture provide material basis for sound human life, education sector or human resources development can contribute to institution building. Thus, it is our policy to pay full attention to the promotion of a democratic society in Cambodia.

In view of the importance of election in building a democratic society, Japan assisted the election of 1993 not only with material and financial contributions but also with dispatch of Japanese self-defense forces, civilian policemen and observers to guarantee safe, free and fair election. In 1998 we provided a large amount of financial and material assistance as well as suggestions and advice for smooth execution of election operation. This year Japan contributed 3 million US dollars to National Election Committee (NEC) and so far provided grant aids to three Cambodian NGOs which work in voters' education activities.

In order to support NGO's activities in this country, our Embassy extended grant assistance under our scheme called "KUSANONE" to 30 projects carried out by local and international NGOs amounting totally to 2.3 million US dollars in the last fiscal year. This current fiscal year will witness an even large number of grant contracts. It is our effort to encourage the development of the civil society in Cambodia.

In the field of human resources development, more than one hundred Japanese experts, young and senior volunteers are dispatched to Cambodia by JICA, and about one hundred Cambodian people receive JICA trainings in various fields in Japan every year. In addition, every year my Government extend scholarships to about 50 young Cambodian students and scholars for a few years of studies in Japanese colleges and universities. As a result, about 200 students currently pursue studies in Japan. During the few decades of post-war reconstruction and economic development period, Japanese people exerted considerable efforts to build up a democratic society. Today, my country enjoys a highly developed, free, democratic and egalitarian society. I hope that the experience of living in Japan for some time is useful for these Cambodians in building up their own free and democratic society in their homeland in future years.

Before closing I would like to express my sincere appreciation to ADHOC for organizing this valuable conference today and wish all of you a good luck for the next 10 years to come: ten years of continued struggle for constructing a truly democratic Khmer society.

Thank you.