wfn.org | NCCCUSA/CWS Staff Stay in Cambodia

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the 
U.S.A.
Contact: In New York, Carol J. Fouke, NCC News, 212-
870-2252
    In Cambodia: Howard Jost, (W-Ph/Fax) 855-
23427786;
    (Mobile Ph) 855-18812630; e-mail 
cwsc@bigpond.com.kh

NCC7/11/97     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE STAFF REMAIN IN CAMBODIA

 NEW YORK, July 11 ---- Church World Service, the 
humanitarian assistance ministry of the National 
Council of Churches, has decided not to evacuate its 79 
staff (three of them Americans) and their families in 
Cambodia, judging that the present situation does not 
pose a threat to their safety.

 The United States government is urging American 
citizens to leave Cambodia and has suspended aid to 
Cambodia for 30 days to show its displeasure with the 
seizure of power last weekend by Second Prime Minister 
Hun Sen.

 "At present, the decisions made by the U.S. 
Department of State appear to be motivated by political 
aims to put pressure on Hun Sen more than they are by 
concerns for safety," said Linda Hartke, CWS Director 
of Program and Operations and former CWS Country 
Director in Cambodia.. "CWS is monitoring the situation 
closely and is in regular dialogue with colleague 
agencies."

 CWS is maintaining its neutrality as a non-
governmental organization which is present in Cambodia 
to provide humanitarian assistance through relief and 
development, and is joining the calls for non-violent 
solutions to the problems faced in Cambodia.

 "The government of Cambodia should take every step 
to restore order in a way that respects the rights of 
citizens and insures the apprehension and prosecution 
of those who have committed illegal actions," Ms. 
Hartke said.  "Actions taken by foreign governments, 
including the United States, should not jeopardize 
humanitarian assistance to meet critical human needs in 
this still war torn country."

 The Americans on CWS's Cambodia staff are:

  Howard Jost, of North Haledon, N.J., of the 
Christian Reformed Church in North America who took 
up his responsibilities as CWS Country Director in 
Cambodia on June 6.  He has served with CWS and the 
broader NCC since 1972 (in Bangladesh 1972-77; 
Washington, D.C., 1977-79; New York 1979-97).
  Patricia Vanderburg, serving as coordinator for 
strategic planning on a six-month local contract.  
She lived in Madison, Wis., before undertaking 
service overseas some time ago, including in Western 
Samoa and, now, Cambodia.
  Jim Alexander of Mennonite Economic Development 
Associates in Lancaster, Pa., serving as a 
consultant for strategic planning on a contract that 
will take him in and out of Cambodia over a six-
month period.  He first arrived in Cambodia last 
week.

 Some 400 Americans have left Cambodia in the last 
few days following fighting in the Cambodian capital of  
Phnom Penh and in other provinces. The U.S. Embassy 
staff is being cut from 61 to 20, though the mission 
remains open. Non-essential personnel and dependents 
have been evacuated.  Some 1,000 Americans remain in 
the capital, which is now reported to be calm. The 
city's airport has reopened to both charter and 
commercial flights; phone service has been restored; 
and a curfew has ended.

 Hun Sen's offensive against ousted First Prime 
Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh involved intense 
fighting between troops last weekend in Phnom Penh, and 
Hun Sen's forces took control of the country. The 
takeover has been roundly criticized by the 
international community, and there are reports of 
threats, arrests and executions. Looting by Hun Sen's 
forces continues and has added to an atmosphere of fear 
and uncertainty.

It is still not clear how many people were killed 
or injured in the weekend clashes, but hospitals 
desperately need blood, medicines and doctors. 

The CWS staff in Cambodia includes 70 Cambodians, 
three Americans, four Dutch, one Ukrainian and one 
Filipino.  All are safe, and operations are continuing.  
The decision not to evacuate any personnel was reached 
in consultation - via phone, fax and e-mail -- with the 
Cambodia staff and other American non-governmental 
organizations working in Cambodia. 

"We would not take any step to endanger staff -- 
national or international -- and believe that the 
present situation does not present a threat to their 
safety," Ms. Hartke said.

 The CWS Cambodia Program is CWS's largest 
operational program.  Established in 1979, it focuses 
on both relief and development activities in five 
provinces.  Program activities include community 
development, reintegration programs for displaced 
persons, demining, village based animal health, support 
to Cambodian non-government organizations and emergency 
response and training.  The 1997 annual budget is $2.6 
million.

 The National Council of Churches is the leading 
U.S. ecumenical organization, with 33 Protestant and 
Orthodox communions and denominations (52 million 
members total) working together in a wide range of 
ministries.

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