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
