Speech #930274445

CAMBODIA The situation in Cambodia is markedly different from that in Vietnam In almost every respect. and comparisons between the two countries are not generally fruitful. During the four years of war In Cambodia a good half of the some seven million population have been displaced to some degree. The American Embassy estimates that there are currently upwards of 1.200.000 registered and unregistered refugees in the approximately 20% of the land area presently controlled by the government. These refugees represent approximately 23% of the total population under government control. Since early 1973 the refugee population almost doubled its previous size. To quote a recent Embassy report: "The refugee problem has been compounded by a commensurate drop In production as refugees moved from the land into and around urban areas. This in time has led to shortage of many basic food stuffs and Is one of the contributing factors in the hyperinflationary situation which exists in Cambodia today." The report goes on to say that "The key to the refugee situation then is not only to provide immediate assistance but also to resettle as many of the refugee population as possible on productive land." To provide a point of reference for discussion of present conditions permit me to quote from my own testimony to this subcommittee a little over a year ago. At that time I said "To summarize the refugee situation. the prognosis Is dismal. Neither our government nor the Cambodian Government have any organized refugee program. Adequate housing. sanitation. and medical service are either nonexistent or in short supply. Increasing numbers of refugees are being generated by an accelerated level of military activity and intensified American bombIng. The repression on both sides is increasing with the government losing its precarious control and relying more and more on American intervention. And in the midst of this are a million refugees. half of them children. They are receiving virtually no assistance and face malnutrition. serious food shortages and. in some areas. the real specter of starvation. While the military and economic situations have further eroded and the conditions of refugees are certainly no less serious than a year ago. the recent responses of the United States and Khmer governments to the refugee proAlem are encouraging. Because of statutory limitations on the number of official American personnel who can be in Cambodia at any given time and because the voluntary agencies represent an excellent resource. the U.S. Government has contracted with World Vision. CARE. and CRS to provide emergency refugee assistance. medical services and resettlement assistance particularly to the refugee population. Though these agencies in their programs reflect different priorities. and their programs are at different stages of development. each is operational and making a significant contribution. Together they utilize 47 international staff and 141 Khmer staff. In addition. the Indochina Operations group of the International Red Cross (ICRC & LICROSS) has five highly effective medical teams operating in Cambodia. On Its part. the Khmer Government has begun the difficult task of reorganizing its response to the refugee crisis. The new Minister of Refugees. M. Kong Orn appears both concerned and competent. He faces a difficult ask and deserves all the support that the U.S. Government can provide. Although the present government structure is clearly inadequate to deal with the enormity of the Khmer refugee problem. a reality recognized by both governments. it is. nonetheless. important that U.S. Government and private agency efforts be undertaken in consultation and coordination with the Khmer Government. This is a matter of both principle and practical effectiveness. In response to a suggestion from the American Embassy the Khmer Government has recently organized the Resettlement and Development Foundation. a semiautonomous body where membership is drawn from the Khmer business community. With U.S. funding the R.D.F. will concentrate on refugee resettlement. Although it only received its first funding In April the Foundation is already at work in Phnom Penh. and Kompong Thom. While the unfortunately belated responses of the United States and Khmer governments are quite clearly insufficient to meet the enormity of the refugee problem. a positive beginning has been made and both governments appear to be moving forward as rapidly as their respective circumstances permit. Yet obviously. much more is needed. and it Is to be hoped that future planning and program expansion will reflect the same energy and commitment that presently characterize U.S. and Khmer efforts. Some specific recommendations may ite in order: While the US. Embassy now has six positions allocated to refugee personnel. an additional two or preferably three slots are immediately needed. particularly in view of the increasing logistical support both the voluntary agencies and the Resettlement and Development Foundation will require. In addition. if one or two additional voluntary agencies are interested In working with the refugee problem. and if they are professionally competent to do so. they should be encouraged to participate in the program with substantial U.S. funding. In closing these summary remarks on the refugee situation I would like to briefly comment on our policy in Cambodia. While I deplore the circumstances and decisions which led to our deep involvement in Cambodia. I have the impression that our Embassy is searching for alternatives and for a resolution of the current conflict.