"It means Cambodia is just like Burma, which affects Cambodia's dignity," opposition leader Sam Rainsy said

UN Envoy, Burmese PM to Make Overlapping Cambodia Visits
By VOA Khmer Stringers
Original reports from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
28 November 2007

The UN special envoy to Burma arrived in Siem Reap Wednesday on a
three-day trip that will coincide with the visit Burma's prime
minister, but officials said the two were unlikely to meet and denied
Cambodia was playing an intermediary role.

UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari is on a regional trip to gauge the political
position of Burma's neighbors following violent crackdowns on pro-
democracy demonstrators in recent weeks, Agence France-Presse
reported.

He was scheduled to visit Angkor Wat.

Lt. Gen. Thein Sien was scheduled to arrive Friday for bilateral talks
with Prime Minister Hun Sen, the same day Gambari is scheduled to
leave.

At the height of the pro-democracy crisis in September, Prime Minister
Hun Sen called on Burma to avoid force in bringing order to
protesters.

A spokesman said the government would not censure the leader on this
visit.

"Normally, Cambodian culture never looks down on guests," spokesman
Khieu Kanharith said.

Thein Sein, who was appointed prime minister in October, is to meet
Hun Sen, Senate President Chea Sim and National Assembly President
Heng Samrin.

Critics said the government risked losing democratic credibility in
hosting Thein Sein.

"It means Cambodia is just like Burma, which affects Cambodia's
dignity," opposition leader Sam Rainsy said.

Keo Remy, Vice President of Human Rights Party, said Cambodia should
push harder to promote democracy.

"Burma should not be welcome in Cambodia, because the Burmese
government has been internationally condemned," said Thun Saray,
director of the rights group Adhoc. "This country has dramatically
lost face."

"I would like to call on the government to reconsider this issue,"
said Seng Theary, executive director of the Center for Social
Development. "I think by justice, morality and diplomacy, we're going
lose more than we gain."

Khieu Kanharith said critics were not familiar with Asean doctrine,
which is traditionally one of non-interference.

"Asean protocol does not arrogantly say, 'I'm gonna teach this or
that,'" he said.

.

Relevant Pages