26 June 2003
U.S. Calls for Nonviolent Elections in Cambodia
(June 25 State Department statement) (390)
The United States is calling on the Cambodian government "to take all
necessary action to prevent the politically-motivated violence and
intimidation that has marred prior elections and to prosecute any
perpetrators," says State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher.
In a statement released June 25, Boucher said "the mechanisms are in
place for a credible election process" and urged the Cambodian
government and election authorities "to assure political parties
equitable access to the media, both print and broadcast, to get their
messages to the voters."
Cambodia begins the official 30-day campaign season June 26 for the
July 27 National Assembly elections. More than six million Cambodians
are registered to vote.
Following is the text of the statement, as released by the Department
of State:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
June 25, 2003
STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN
ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN CAMBODIA
Tomorrow, Cambodia begins the official 30-day campaign season for the
July 27 National Assembly elections. More than six million Cambodians
are registered to vote.
During the Secretary's meetings with Cambodian government officials
during the recent ASEAN Regional Forum meeting in Phnom Penh, he
emphasized the importance of the Cambodian government doing everything
possible to ensure that the upcoming elections meet international
standards, particularly fair access to the media.
As we have noted previously, the mechanisms are in place for a
credible election process. We call on the government of Cambodia to
take all necessary action to prevent the politically-motivated
violence and intimidation that has marred prior elections and to
prosecute any perpetrators.
We urge the National Election Committee to be vigorous in its
investigation of any and all election abuses and adjudicate them
swiftly.
In order for the voters to make informed choices, they need the widest
possible access to information. We urge the Cambodian government and
election authorities to assure political parties equitable access to
the media, both print and broadcast, to get their messages to the
voters.
As Secretary Powell made clear during his visit, the Cambodian people
deserve a government with the legitimacy that free and fair elections
will bring. After such elections, we hope that there will be more
opportunities for us to pursue dialogue and potentially new programs
with the Cambodian government.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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