Those words have been backed by action. Tokyo also plans to send tax and legal experts to help Cambodia improve its public finance system. In addition, forestry specialists will be dispatched to work on the illegal logging problem. They are expected to begin April 1. Despite the small U.S. aid pledge for this year, the conference was a tremendous success from Hun Sen's perspective.
Disbursements are subject to regular review.
In the past, actual aid has fallen short of the approved amounts, indicating that the latest figure may end up being an overstatement as well. In the end, Hun Sen managed to convince the world community that extending development assistance to Cambodia not only will provide real benefits to its citizens but also will serve global interests. The strongman has promised to resign in 2001 if he is not successful in implementing political, economic and social reforms. Maintaining Cambodia's fragile peace, ensuring human rights and protecting the environment are only some of the challenges he will face over the next two years. The universal hope is that he can fulfill his daring promise.