Cambodia warns off diplomats

Cambodia is struggling to crack down on corruption after decades of war

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Cambodia has accused international diplomats of "inciting revolt" following recent criticism over the government's anti-corruption efforts.

In a letter delivered to embassies and received by Reuters, Cambodia's ministry of foreign affairs has also warned ambassadors to stay out of the country's internal affairs.

Cambodia's retort comes in the wake of U. S. Ambassador Kent Wiedemann reportedly slamming the Southeast nation's government last week at an anti-corruption conference being held in Phnom Penh.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had told the conference the government needed more time to implement anti-corruption measures.

But Wiedemann reportedly responded by saying more time was "a bad excuse" and added that aid donors were losing patience with the government.

While Cambodia has been struggling to reform its economy after decades of war, periods of recurring political instability and corruption within the government has discouraged foreign investment and delayed foreign aid.

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Cambodia has been widely touted as the Asian destination of choice for pedophiles. It is also recognized as a key drug nation, which is often a magnet to money laundering.

The CIA web site mentions that members of the government, military and military are reportedly in the thick of narcotics-related corruption.

'Arrogant attitudes'

The U.S. ambassador was not hesitant in coming forward about his views on how the poverty-stricken nation has failed to meet the expectations of the international community.

"The government keeps coming up with excuses. My point is, is that it's just excuses ...

"There's immediate action they can take now," the Cambodia Daily newspaper quoted Wiedemann as saying.

The government should immediately require high-ranking officials to account for their personal wealth and their sources of income, Wiedemann reportedly said.

But Cambodia's foreign ministry has said "certain ambassadors" had acted like "opposition parties" and used "inflammatory words inciting revolt against the Royal Government of Cambodia."

"The Royal Government of Cambodia cannot accept these arrogant attitudes," the statement added. The government "requests all ambassadors... to respect the principles concerning the relations between states."

Ambassador Wiedemann was traveling abroad on Wednesday. A U.S. embassy official declined to comment on the letter other than to confirm it had been received.

Cambodia's international aid donors agreed to give the government $615 million at the Consultative Group meeting in Tokyo in June.

The government had assured them it was working to eliminate corruption.