wfn.org | NCCCUSA/CWS Asks U.S. to Continue Cambodia Aid

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: Carol J. Fouke, NCC News, 212-870-2252
Internet: carolf@ncccusa.org

NCC7/16/97                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

84 INTERNATIONAL AND CAMBODIAN NGOs
CALL FOR CONTINUED AID

 WASHINGTON, D.C., July 16 ---- "This is not the
time to leave the Cambodian people in isolation."  With
those words, the Rev. Dr. Rodney I. Page, Executive
Director of Church World Service, today urged the U.S.
government to continue its humanitarian and development
aid to Cambodia.

Church World Service, the humanitarian assistance
ministry of the (U.S.) National Council of Churches
with a large relief and development program in
Cambodia, issued that call as a leading member of the
NGO Forum on Cambodia, a cooperative body of 47
international and 37 Cambodian non-governmental
organizations (NGOs).

Forum members met July 15 in Phnom Penh and, in a
statement, asked the U.S. government "to continue the
work they have started in support of Cambodian people
and not to again use the withdrawal of humanitarian and
development aid as a political tool."

Dr. Page said, "We can make our greatest
contribution to restoring peace and rebuilding
livelihoods in Cambodia by a constant presence of
service to meet human needs, as a voice for justice and
dignity, and in supporting local partners in a climate
of fear and repression."   CWS has made clear that it
will continue its work in five provinces of Cambodia
and will not evacuate personnel.

 The NGO Forum on Cambodia issued its call as the
U.S. House of Representatives conducted hearings on
Cambodia and considered FY98 funding for foreign aid
programs.

In another initiative, on Monday, CWS signed a
letter with four other American NGOs (PACT, CARE,
Catholic Relief Services, and Helen Keller
International) to Secretary of State Madeline Albright
calling for continued the American presence and U.S.
assistance to Cambodia.  CWS has since praised the
Department of State and the U.S. Agency for
International Development's decision to continue
funding some programs, but urged a broader restoration
of U.S. assistance and active engagement in dialogue
and diplomatic efforts.

 The U.S. government is urging American citizens to
leave Cambodia and suspended most aid to Cambodia for
30 days to show its displeasure with the seizure of
power earlier this month by Cambodia's Second Prime
Minister, Hun Sen.  Attention has intensified on the
best means for the United States to affect the renewal
of dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution, respect for
human rights and the restoration of democratic
principles in Cambodia.

-end-

Attachment:  Statement of the NGO Forum on Cambodia
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