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Cambodia responds sharply to oil policy recommendations by US
Feb 23, 2007, 11:27 GMT
Phnom Penh - Cambodia's petroleum authority chief responded sharply to policy recommendations by US ambassador Joseph Mussomeli Friday, saying it was too early to dictate policy when the amount of the resource was still unknown.
In a speech to a high-level economic forum in the capital, Mussomeli recommended seven policy considerations for the government to help it manage its resources when expected oil reserves are tapped in the near future.
'Some countries have made the irritatingly human decision to use the resources to relax fiscal discipline,' Mussomeli warned. 'Like children who never think about the long-term consequences of the choices they make, they act as if the revenue will never stop flowing and they never act responsibly.'
Among the initiatives the US ambassador suggested were improved transparency, improved laws and regulations relating to disclosure and oversight of government revenues, government revenue management policy reviews and a new freedom of information law.
Director-general of the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority Te Duong Tara arrived after the ambassador's speech, saying he had been in a meeting and too busy to attend.
He dismissed concerns about the way Cambodia would handle oil revenues, predicted to be in excess of its entire current national gross domestic product, calling them 'pessimistic.'
'To say 'keep money for this purpose or that purpose' for me is too early. Wait until the money from the oil is here. The fish is not in the boat yet,' he told reporters.
He said Cambodia realized it had little experience in this area but had reached out to other, more seasoned players to learn from their human resources and marketing experience.
Tara added that Cambodia had studied the experiences of countries such as Angola and Nigeria and learned from them. Angola, he said, made the mistake of marketing by themselves and Nigeria had made errors because it did not know how to market.
Cambodia was ready for the challenge of oil revenue and would not squander the opportunity, he said.
'We have been a poor country, so now we really do not want to destroy our own money,' he said.
Cambodia has so far not begun full-scale drilling and is judging its oil reserves on exploratory wells from a number of companies including US giant Chevron. However, it has been predicted the reserves are significant and could reverse the country's current heavy dependence on aid.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Cambodia isn't there yet. However, for the past 20 years, Cambodia has made tremendous progress. For those who weren't there after the destruction by the Khmer Rouge, do hear me that the country has moved forward. There is plenty of room for the government and the political systems to improve, but come on now; realistically, Cambodia is only thirty years old. It has come a long way.
Perhaps I am bias, but I can live with that perception. As a Cambodian-American, I am confident that Cambodians are resilient, intelligent and capable of sovereignty once out of the current poverty status. Give Cambodians a chance to be themselves for a change. With the exception of the past couple of decades or so, foreign influences have been historically disastrous. Cambodia has suffered partly due to foreign conflicts and influences including France, U.S., China, Russia, and Vietnam.
I also think that the U.S. involvement in Cambodia right now is a positive move. I am glad to see the expansion of the U.S. embassy, the military aid and Peace Corps in Cambodia. I prefer U.S. at the table as opposed to U.S. sanction against Cambodia.
Perhaps all parties (Cambodia and foreign influences) have learned some valuable lessons after years of disasters and the atrocious Khmer Rouge regime. I am confident that Cambodia will get it right in its own way. I am also hoping that major economic powers such as China, U.S, Japan, etc. would protect their economic, diplomatic and social interests by constructively help Cambodia protect its own overall interests.
http://www.kilongung.org
Why wait for the fish to get into the boat? Why not prepare a plan of action on how to serve a good meal? It would not be wise to wait until we have the fish and start thinking. The fish will go rotten.
Will the new wealth be a resource to promote the Khmer resilent and creativity to make it in live?
The government has made good progress rebuilding the country. It is not time to stop that progress yet.
Is it strong enough to look after its wealth from being exploited from neighbors and itself?
Khmer is very beautiful peoples. First of all if Khmer people can help each other the country can e much better. Because of corruption our country the away as it now. I hope someday this issue reslove.
To anyone who concern about Comboida, please see documentary by John Piger 'Betrayal'
Hi everyone,
In light of recent news regarding Myanmar, I am pleased that President Bush advocated a sanction against the responsible generals rather than the entire country. I call this a 'surgical sanction'. U.S. had sanctioned against Cambodia in the past. I have been speaking in opposition of any sanction against Cambodia. Sanction against a poor country (such as Cambodia) often hurts the country's poor and innocent people, not the country's elites and powerful. Whenever a sanction is necessary, I prefer a 'surgical sanction' over the usually ineffective sanctions. U.S. is a powerful nation and can lead in making the world a better place, but it has to pay attention to its cultural competency. We have to get better at the cultural competency. This new approach to sanctioning (i.e., surgical sanction) is indicative that U.S. is moving in the right direction in helping the less powerful.
Time to help Myanmar is now. Cambodia could definitely use some help during the Khmer Rouge era. Unfortunately, the world seems to be more watchful of Cambodia today than then when it needed the world’s help the most. Let's learn from our past miscue on Cambodia and pay attention to Myanmar now.
--
KilongUng dot com
Leverage the past, ameliorate the present, shape the future and leave a legacy.
page: 1
fatguyFeb 23rd, 2007 - 16:32:24
The U.S. ambassador's advice were right on the mark. Words of wisdom and constructive advice are precious only if they are received. Cambodia has a lot to learn about how to manage and direct the affairs of a nation. Cambodia is known for being corrupt to the core. This Cambodian government has a potential opportunity before them. It's an opportunity to advance and enhance the lives of Cambodia's people. Let's hope they don't squander it. I've seen the divide between rich and poor grow wider and wider. There are people driving Mercedes and Landcruisers and living in $500,000 homes. Their monthly salaries are less than $100 a month. I'm pessimistic about how this oil thing will work out.
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