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Cambodia and the International Community: The Quest for Peace, Development, and Democracy
Frederick Z. Brown and David G. Timberman (eds.)
Asia Society
1998
Preface
by Kevin F. F. Quigley
Cambodia has a place in many peoples' consciousness to a degree far in excess of what might be expected given the country's small size and limited economic and strategic importance. The reasons for this are not difficult to identify. First, many people continue to be haunted by the tragedy of the genocide committed in Cambodia by Cambodians. The worldwide attention paid to the "trial" and recent death of Pol Pot, the brutal leader of the murderous Khmer Rouge, underscored not just the extent of the world's awareness of the atrocities committed in Cambodia, but also their relative recentness. Second, in stark contrast to the recent tragedy of Cambodia, there is its historical glory reflected in the breathtaking temples at Angkor Wat, as well as in the proud traditions of its people. And third is Cambodia's experience as a victim at the hands of more powerful international forces. Cambodia has been repeatedly forced to capitulate to larger and more powerful nations and to forces beyond its control–including misguided ideology and shifting great power relations. Sadly, it is the combination of these conflicting factors that gives Cambodia lasting resonance.
Aware of Cambodia's recent tragic past and concerned for the country's uncertain future, in early 1996 the Asia Society, Johns Hopkins' Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and the Asia Foundation initiated a project on Cambodia and the International Community: The Road Ahead. In keeping with the Society's tripartite goal of informing policymakers, educating the American public, and encouraging dialogue among Asians and Americans, the project consisted of a major international conference held in Washington, D.C. in March 1997, public programs in New York, Long Beach, California, and Washington, D.C., and publication of this volume. While the release of Cambodia and the International Community concludes this particular project, during 1998 the Asia Society and SAIS are continuing to address developments in Cambodia and in U.S. policy toward Cambodia through a series of occasional meetings and short reports.
The project on Cambodia and the International Community has been a highly rewarding collaborative venture. The project would not have got off the ground without the initial collaboration between the Asia Society and SAIS. It has been the Society's pleasure to work with two longtime friends at SAIS, Karl Jackson and Frederick Brown. The success of the international conference was in large measure due to the participation of the Asia Foundation, which funded the travel of many of the Cambodian participants and provided invaluable substantive and logistical advice. The Society greatly appreciates the enthusiastic involvement of Asia Foundation staff Jon Summers in Phnom Penh and Nancy Yuan and Rudi Jeung in Washington.
The project was also fortunate to receive other generous and timely financial support. An initial grant from the United States Institute of Peace allowed us to undertake the overall project. The Center for International Political Economy funded a portion of the conference costs. Finally, a grant from the Patrick Gerschel Foundation funded a portion of the international conference and the public programs. Each of these contributions was critical to the success of the project; the absence of any one of them would have significantly reduced the scope and quality of project activities.
A number of individuals played key roles in the development and administration of this project. David Timberman, consultant to the Asia Society, conceived of the project and managed its varied components, from fundraising to coediting this volume. Fred Brown, the other codirector and coeditor, graciously lent his vast experience and expertise to all aspects of the project. Its sometimes complicated administration was always capably handled by Lois Weiss at SAIS, Sam Borin at the Asia Foundation office in Phnom Penh, and Andrew Thornley at the Asia Society.
The contents of this volume reflect the high level of commitment and care shown by all the contributors. A number of small but significant factual gaps were filled by last minute research assistance from Alisa DiCaprio and Sophie Richardson. And finally at the Asia Society, Karen Fein, Editor for Policy and Business Programs, and Rayne Madison, Designer, are to be credited with turning an unruly manuscript into a published volume in record time. As Cambodia approaches these important elections, we hope that the book will provide worthwhile background information and shed useful light on the road ahead for this beleaguered nation.
Kevin F. F. Quigley
Vice President for Policy and Business Programs
Asia Society
June 1998
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