Cambodian government warns foreign embassies not to criticise it

Apr 28, 2010, 10:13 GMT

Phnom Penh - A Cambodian government spokesman on Wednesday warned foreign embassies and institutions against criticising the authorities or interfering in internal affairs.

The comments came one day after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a blunt letter to embassies complaining that some mission heads had behaved like proconsuls in giving lessons to the government.

'Such behaviours are not acceptable for Cambodia as a sovereign country,' the letter stated. 'Cambodia is not a BANANA REPUBLIC.'

Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the purpose was to remind diplomats to adhere to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which prohibits interference in the internal affairs of host nations.

'We cannot accept lessons like lectures from foreign envoys and diplomats,' Koy Kuong said. 'We cannot accept any negative criticism.'

The letter followed a statement last month by the United Nations country head Douglas Broderick calling on the government to allow more time for civil society and donors to comment on a long-awaited draft anti-corruption law.

Cambodia is ranked by Transparency International as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

The law, 15 years in the making, was made public just days before being pushed through parliament, which is dominated by the ruling party.

Broderick's statement infuriated Phnom Penh, and the government threatened to expel him for meddling in legislative matters.

Koy Kuong refused to name the missions which had earned the government's wrath.

'We do not specify, and we do not focus on a specific case,' he said. 'I would rather not say a specific country or institution. We just remind them of the contents of the Vienna Convention.'

Cambodia relies heavily on donors for funding. Foreign nations provided 951 million dollars in 2009, or roughly half of the government's budget.