Dear Editor,

I am appalled and disturbed when I read your article, "Government unloads both

barrels at Rainsy," Issue 9/2, Jan. 21-Feb. 3, 2000, especially about a "target

list" in possession of the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.

From the article, it seems to me, that the Embassy is not a diplomatic service station

to represent and help Cambodian citizens but a security apparatus function to hunt

for the opponents of the Royal Government of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. This is reminiscent

of the tactics employed in the Cold War era by many communist security services.

If you can not eliminate your opponents in the country, you will send your agents

to pursue them overseas.

Amazing. It's very hard to believe; history repeats itself. It seems that Cambodian

leadership remains ignorant or unwilling to learn the country's deplorable history,

particularly how the government neutralizes its opponents by harassing, arresting,

and assassinating. Still, [they] govern by fear; opposition is not tolerated. All

praises are desirable; all criticism will be harshly punished.

Now, the "target list" - what will be next, the assassination squad? Is

that what you call DEMOCRACY? Ashamed!

Jackie Kem, Washington, USA