Dear Editor,
I find it hard to comprehend the Cambodian annual budget.
With appalling health standards and high illiteracy rate the Cambodian
Government still finds it fit to inject more than a quarter of its annual
budget, about half of which comes from foreign donors, on defense.
What
is the logic behind this? Cambodia's transport system is dotted by potholes, its
education system is in such a state that the schools don't have any libraries so
students depend on what is taught by teachers.
And according to the World
Health Organization, Cambodians spend a large proportion of their income on
medication because of the non-existence of a public health
system.
Wouldn't the money the Government spends on the army be better
spent addressing some of the major issues mentioned above?
Why should
Cambodia be prepared for war any more? The Khmer Rouge have ceased to be a
political or military force.
Putting money into educating the children
would seem to be a wiser investment. After all, today's world is built on
knowledge, not war.
The world's richest men, such as Bill Gates, do not
command any army nor do they own any land. They created their wealth out of
their own knowledge.
I hope that the people of Cambodia and the many
donors pay more attention to the way their money is being used.
- Peron C Perth, Australia
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