August 25, 1998

Dear Madame Secretary:

I am writing to express my concern that the "People Power" non-violent demonstrations that are taking place in Cambodia may soon be the target of violence by the CPP forces of Hun Sen and that democratic leaders such as Sam Rainsy may be arrested on trumped-up charges. I remain concerned that the United Nations is not doing enough to deter the coup-installed government of Hun Sen from acts of violence and failing to credibly investigate the charges of irregularities in the election ballot count and the allocation of parliamentary seats.

Last week a grenade was thrown at opposition leader Sam Rainsy and he was threatened with violence during his subsequent arrest and detention. Yesterday, the CPP produced a fraudulent witness, a member of Hun Sen's police, who claimed that he was paid by Rainsy to throw a grenade at demonstrators. This ploy to arrest Rainsy was predicted more than one week ago by the democrats. The CPP Council of Ministers has repeated these false charges against Rainsy, and people in Phnom Penh fear he will soon be arrested.

The press is reporting that the non-violent democracy demonstration has grown in size each of the past four days, with many private people bringing donations of food and water. However, there are numerous reports of CPP police with water cannons and electric batons staging near the demonstration site. A new intervention by the U.S. embassy is now required to protect Rainsy from arrest and to prevent violence from being directed toward peaceful demonstrators. Clear statements by the U.S. government, our allies and the United Nations are needed to deter Hun Sen's brutal forces. Please encourage the U.N. to be more assertive.

The continuation of strong-arm tactics by the CPP and their reluctance to credibly investigate all allegations of ballot fraud and other election-related irregularities will ultimately cause the U.S. Congress to deny funding to any undemocratic Cambodian regime.

Sincerely,

Dana Rohrabacher

Member of Congress