In Phnom Penh, US Voters Party, Debate
Saturday's US presidential debate party underscored a stark difference between US and Cambodian elections. (13 October 2008)
American voters gathered at the FCC restaurant in Phnom Penh on Saturday night to watch a recording of thethird USpresidential debate. As senators Barack Obama and John McCain prepared tosquare off, the atmosphere at the FCC resembled a party, with participants lookingdelighted, drinking, eating snacks and shouting their views. The debate party underscored a stark difference between USelections, a time of free speech, open opposition and celebration, and Cambodia's process,where voters worry about their security and often keep their political choicessecret. US presidential elections will be held Nov. 4, bringing to aclose a heavily contested race in an important time in US history. During the debate, Wayne Weightman, chairman of the advocacygroup Democrats Abroad, said his group had registered both Democratic andRepublican party supporters from across Cambodia in an "important election." Wars in Iraqand Afghanistanand a growing economic crisis have made Americans serious about this election,he said. "I can say that it has been incredible, that we see peopleall over Cambodia,Americans from all provinces, come to register," he said. "A lot of the peoplethat I talked to said that they wanted a change." Tashi Bradford, from Washington,DC, who spoke in sign languagethrough an interpreter, said there was no need for her to be afraid to speak ofher choice, Obama, on the Democratic ticket. "It is no secret, and we have the freedom to say what wewant to," she said. "The freedom of speech and freedom to vote for who we wantis a cherished value." USvoter Matthew Alan said he felt sorry for Cambodians who must keep theirchoices secret. "My Khmer friends asked me if I wanted to leave Cambodia forthe election because they thought I might be afraid," he said. "I think it isfun to vote. It is a happy time. I think people in Cambodiaare more worried during election days than people in America." Before playing a video of the debates, Weightman askedaudience members whether they had registered and encouraged them to do so.Meanwhile, some groups said they would vote for Obama, and others for McCain,but they expressed their intentions with pride, without fear or secrecy, evenif they sat next to a rival supporter. As the debate was shown, some of the audience becamered-faced, not because of anger, but because of their drinking, a scene notunlike some days ahead of Cambodian elections, although these can sometimesturn violent. (Prime Minister Hun Sen banned drinking on the eve and day ofJuly's national election. On Saturday night, by contrast, the FCC offeredhalf-price drinks.) Koul Panha, executive director for the Committee for Freeand Fair Elections, said the USpresidential race could not be compared to Cambodian elections. Many Americans are not secret in their politicalpreferences, and they cast their ballots without pressure, he said. "Elections are normal for Europeans and Americans," he said."They freely express their opinions. They enjoy it. When democracy is mature,it is like that. They are not worried about possible mistreatment, threats orintimidation. They have fun with the process. Elections are a happy time forthem, to exercise their power, their decision to have political change. Ourcountry is still behind, so during the elections we sometimes see violence." Koul Panha said that when real democracy comes to Cambodia,voting secrecy will be a thing of the past, replaced with the freedom of speechto claim one's support. "We need to try hard to make Cambodian elections a normalthing, an expression of opinion by the people," he said. "It will take a longtime."