Political Quotes

“Mr. President, the resolution I submit today with my colleague from Florida is straight forward. Credible and competitive parliamentary elections in Cambodia next month will be the measure or U.S. foreign assistance provided to the central government of that country in the future. According to the United States Agency for International Development, from 1993 to 2011 the United States provided Cambodia with over $1.2 billion in economic and military assistance. The President's fiscal year 2014 budget request to Congress includes a total of $73.5 million in aid for Cambodia. America's investment in that Southeast Asian country has been anything but insignificant. Unfortunately, we are not getting a return on this investment when it comes to the advancement of the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. A chorus of concern with the upcoming elections has been expressed by the United Nations, Cambodian civil society, and opposition political party leaders, including Sam Rainsy who is prohibited from participating in the polls by the actions of courts controlled by the ruling Cambodian People's Party, CPP. Given recent comments by CPP Prime Minister Hun Sen that he intends to remain in power until 2026, one wonders whether the CPP has already decided the outcome of the elections.…”