Thayer Consultancy Background Briefing:

ABN # 65 648 097 123

Australia-Cambodia Raise
Relations While Democracy
Plummets
Carlyle A. Thayer
October 28, 2017
Yesenia Amaro, journalist, Phnom Penh Post:
We are preparing a report regarding the agreement between the governments of
Australia and Cambodia to establish "Senior Officials' Talks" in order to strengthen
dialogue across existing areas of the bilateral relationship. Among the existing areas
of bilateral relationship is a defence cooperation program which focuses on
providing support for counter-terrorism training, maritime security and English
language training. We request your assessment of the following issues:
Q1. Given the fact that Prime Minister Hun Sen today called the opposition
terrorists, could this cooperation damage Australia's image?
ANSWER: Australias 2016 Defence White Paper gave priority to defence
engagement with the region. Australias defence and security engagement with
Cambodia dates back just prior to the standing up of the United Nations Transitional
Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1991. An Australian general was in charge of the
military component that provided security for the UN elections. Australias current
defence and security cooperation with Cambodia should be put in this context.
There is no possibility that Australias counter-terrorism program would assist or
abet Cambodias assault on the opposition even if Hun Sen labelled them terrorists.
Cambodias actions would be carried out by the police. If elite military units that
received Australian training were involved in domestic repression Australia would
withdraw support immediately.
Q2. It's yet unknown whether under these new talks, the counter-terrorism drills
that Cambodia suspended with Australia earlier this year, would resume. If they
were to resume, could this have any repercussions on Australia?
ANSWER: If counter-terrorism exercises were resumed it would be directed against
the tactics likely to be used by Islamic State returnees to the region. If Hun Sen
continues his repression of the opposition, there will be a domestic outcry in
Australia about continuing with the military relationship at the same time. But for
the moment both the government and opposition have been unusually quiet. The
Opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs asked if the deterioration of human
rights in Cambodia and the champagne clinking ceremony an unfortunate
juxtaposition.
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The plight of the Rohingyas and the siege of Marawai have become so prominent in
the Australian media that developments in Cambodia have received little attention
in comparison.
The Australian government is going through a domestic crisis with seven members of
parliament, including the deputy prime minister, forced to leave Parliament because
of a High Court decision that they held dual citizenship, which is illegal under law.
The Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, is a key player in the ruling Liberal Party and is
now Acting Deputy Prime Minister. The Opposition is busy trying to score points at
this time. In the absence of high profile domestic protests the Cambodia issue is
likely to remain dormant.
Q3. Why do you think Australia is looking to strengthen its ties with Cambodia, amid
the Kingdom's tense political situation? A former Australian Foreign Affairs Minister
recently said during an interview that Australia is showing no particular signs of
wanting to do anything at all in terms of imposing bilateral pressure on Cambodia, or
at least until next year's ASEAN-Australian summit. What are your thoughts on that?
ANSWER: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has characterized the
champagne clinking ceremony as just a new, extra dimension to present
arrangements and that it does not signify a major step forward in relations. DFAT
stated that the Australian Ambassador only learned about the champagne toast prior
to the meeting; when she requested that the toast be dispensed with Cambodia
replied that it was normal diplomatic practice and without the toast the meeting
would be cancelled.
Quite plainly, Hun Sens assault on liberal democracy in Cambodia has put Australia
in a difficult position. This is because the current government signed a refugee
resettlement agreement with Cambodia and upped development assistance at the
same time. The resettlement program has not been a roaring success with only
seven refugees resettled of whom only two remain in Cambodia. This resettlement
plan is politically important for the government because it put boat people in
offshore detention camps for processing and resettlement elsewhere.
There are larger strategic issues. Australia is picking up some of the defence and
security slack caused by President Trumps inattention to Southeast Asia. It is in
Australias interests to have good relations with all ten members of ASEAN,
Cambodia included. And it is in Australias interest not to see Cambodia isolated and
left with no choice but dependency on China.
Australia appears to be evaluating what action it should take in light of what Japan,
the US, EU members and others take. DFAT stated it would seriously consider a
request from the UN Secretary General to reconvene the 1991 Paris Peace
Conference that brokered the comprehensive political settlement in Cambodia in
1991. But a DFAT spokesperson also noted that the Cambodian government
engagement would be required.

Suggested citation: Carlyle A. Thayer, Australia-Cambodia Raise Relations While

Democracy Plummets, Thayer Consultancy Background Brief, October 28, 2017. All
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