Dear Editor,

I would like to applaud the donors who are now recognising a

greater need in addressing the governance issues in Cambodia ("Donors angle for

new squeeze issue", Post March 7-April 13, 2000). It is revealed in the article

that donors are likely to set up a fifth working group on good governance and

the rule of law.

It seems to have taken eight years (since 1993) for

donors to start emphasising good governance in Cambodia. In fact, the problems

in deforestation, administration, judicial reform and fiscal administration that

donors have been prioritising so far are largely the symptoms of bad

governance.

Correcting these problems with bad governance still practised

is ineffective and inefficient use of resources. Without fixing the cracked tank

first, any newly added water will simply leak out. It is just a fundamental

question. One should not build a house without building a foundation

first.

- Chan Sophal, Student at University of London, Wye

College