Asian editorial excerpts

BANGKOK, Jan. 16 Kyodo

Selected editorial excerpts from the Asia-Pacific press:

POWER GRAB IN CAMBODIA (Bangkok Post, Bangkok)

It is a tough journey over a long distance to go from dictatorship to democracy. No neighbour better illustrates this at the moment than Cambodia.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, an early adopter of autocracy in post-Pol Pot Cambodia, is rapidly advancing past the crossroads where leaders must decide between democracy and dictatorship.

From illegal manipulation of the system to outright intimidation and bloody brutality, he has put Cambodia on a slippery slope to a violent dictatorship.

Cambodia has become proof that free elections are only a minor part of the democratic process. The last nationwide election in Cambodia in 2003 passed scrutiny by most international observers.

It may have been the last day of freedom for Cambodian democracy, though. When voters in their wisdom denied a parliamentary majority to any party, incumbent Premier Hun Sen refused to negotiate, rejected the idea of either a coalition or national accord.

Recent events are well documented. The leading opposition politician, Sam Rainsy, has fled Cambodia in terror. Members of his party, less sensitive to the danger, have been arrested. A totally unapologetic Hun Sen has launched massive lawsuits against eight opposition critics, and police under his orders have jailed many of the targets.

All of this intimidation, strong-arming and violence is particularly sad in Cambodia for two reasons. The first is that Hun Sen is not a particularly good leader.

The economy has not improved by any government efforts, public infrastructure is a disgrace and poverty kills hundreds of Cambodians... We should not forget, either, that Hun Sen played the most important public role in sparking the racist riots against Thais in Cambodia by loudly spreading the lie of a Thai actress who spoke against Angkor Wat.

Just as importantly is the murderous recent past of Cambodia. It should be a country promoting national unity, working towards freedom and democracy...Khmers are no less patriotic and loyal than Hun Sen just because they are in the political opposition.

The tyrannical actions against them are sad and not supportable. Friends of Cambodia, starting with Thailand, should tell this to the Cambodian leader.

(Jan. 16)

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