5 June 2005

PROMINENT CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN INTERVENES IN FAVOR
OF DEMOCRACY IN CAMBODIA

Mr. Stockwell Day, a Canadian Member of Parliament, who is the "Official Opposition Foreign Affairs Critic" (Shadow Minister for Foreign Affair from the Conservative Party of Canada) sent on 3 June 2005 the following message to Mr.
Soeum Kear, an Cambodian-born Canadian citizen who had asked for the parliamentarian's intervention in favor of
democracy in Cambodia.

Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 13:47:30 -0400

Dear Mr. Kear;
Thank you for taking the time to get in touch with me with concerns regarding the reported removal of parliamentary
immunity for opposition party members Sam Rainsy, Cheam Channy and Chea Poch in Cambodia, as well as the
subsequent arrest of Mr. Channy.

As promised, I have taken your concerns forward on your behalf directly to the Minister. Please allow me to quote
from her response back to me:

"Foreign Affairs Canada is aware of these political developments in Cambodia and is following them closely. We
continue to monitor the situation in Cambodia and to actively encourage the Cambodian government to demonstrate
respect for democratic principles, including parliamentary immunity.

Canada remains committed to supporting democracy in Cambodia. During Cambodia's most recent elections, in July
2003, Canada contributed significantly to the election process and helped to ensure that the elections were fair and
credible. Canada also encourages long-term efforts to foster the democratic transformation of Cambodian institutions.
The Canadian International Development Agency funds a variety of initiatives in support of good governance and
democratic practice in Cambodia. In addition, the Canadian Embassy in Phnom Penh regularly raises the issue of the
rule of law at meetings with Cambodian officials. Furthermore, the Canadian delegation to the United Nations
Commission on Human Rights successfully fought for the inclusion, in the resolution on Cambodia, of language to
encourage respect for, and further development of, democratic institutions.

Please be assured that the importance that Canadians attach to good governance, democracy, and the rule of law will
continue to inform our efforts as we further our bilateral ties with Cambodia."

This concludes the Minister's response to me. I do not entirely share his perspective, nevertheless this appears to be
the government's position. I will continue to do all I can to support democracy in Cambodia. Please let me know if I
should be doing something more on this file.

Yours sincerely,
Stockwell Day, M.P.
Okanagan-Coquihalla
Official Opposition Foreign Affairs Critic
[End]