The Editor,

In the Phnom Penh Post of August 9 - 22, 1996 the article entitled "Rainsy-linked

poll picks the most popular leader... Rainsy", describes Sodeco as a "Cambodian

NGO linked to political rebel Sam Rainsy". This kind of title and comment definitely

casts doubt on the reliability of Sodeco as a pollster.

Therefore, it is important for us to make clear the following points:

1. As in any properly run organization, any work has to be done properly regardless

   of political opinion, religious creed or any other personal consideration. Sodeco

   strives to abide by this principle which implies adherence to a clear methodology

   for statistical analysis and to a strict professional code of conduct. Any allegation

   of bias or any preconceived judgment about Sodeco is just unfair.

2. Taking into account the specific political, economic and social conditions prevailing

   in Cambodia, Sodeco conducts public opinion polls through a representative population

   sample defined on the basis of three criteria: diversity (the structure and characteristics

   of the Cambodian population as a whole are reflected in the population sample in

   terms of diversity of respondents with regard to their genders, age groups, occupations

   and places of residence), random selection (interviewers go to public places to talk

   to people at random, without any conscious choice of the respondents) and anonymity

   (in order to minimize fear, no information is asked regarding the precise identity,

   address or professional position of the respondent so that the latter cannot be traced

   after the interview).

3. Sodeco wants to promote transparency and objectivity by inviting all interested

   persons (journalists, representatives of diplomatic missions, government officials

   and experts, NGO workers, scholars etc.) to check and appraise its methodology and

   ethics by directly and actively participating in the public opinion polls it has

   been conducting. The Washington-based International Republican Institute and the

   French-language newspaper Cambodge Soir have already responded to the invitation.

   We are looking forward to working with more organizations which do not fear pressure

   from the government, because we think that opinion polls are a fair, lawful and peaceful

   means to let people express themselves and therefore to strengthen democracy in Cambodia.

- Sok Vann Khema, President, Solidarity and Community Development Association

(Sodeco),

Phnom Penh.