Evans gets in on the act

Australian taxpayers' funds are providing indirect support to the opposition side of Cambodian politics.

In late November, foreign minister Gareth Evans approved a donation of A$20,000 to the “Khmer Institute of Democracy”, a “think-tank” in Phnom Penh launched by Cambodians resident in the United States. This is one-fourth of the total Australian government funds earmarked to support human rights in Cambodia.

The institute's acting director is a Chilean-born Australian citizen, Julio Jeldres, who was on Norodom Sihanouk's payroll as an aide for a decade until last year.

Jeldres is also listed as deputy director of Khmer Conscience a publication produced by Cambodians in San Jose, California, and being circulated here. A recent issue includes an article which claims: “The Khmer Rouge's reasons for noncompliance with disarmament are legitimate and reasonable.” -- A.M.

From: International News, Green Left Weekly issue #83 9 December 1992.

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