Dear Editor,

It's with considerable regret that I have watched the Raoul Jennar story unfold

- and unfold and unfold and unfold. Journalism in Cambodia is too important to unravel,

like so much else, into a mess of personal attacks. Yet that's what has happened.

I wasn't there, and I'm not interested in adding another raised voice to the din.

But I'd like to remind your readers, and especially those whose hair is standing

up, that the Post has a long and respected history of strong, aggressive and professional

coverage of Cambodia. Part of professionalism is asking questions that need to be

asked. Another part is providing a report that is fair and balanced. And aggressiveness

is a virtue in journalism, not a vice.

Just the fact that we're following this spat in the Post's pages is proof of all

the above.

I know the people involved and respect them all.

I'd hope everyone would remember what's important about journalism in Cambodia. It's

especially important these days, with an election in the future.

- Mike Fowler, Amrican University in Cairo, Egypt