EMAIL DETAILS

> As I mentioned in yesterday's email, the government of Cambodia has
> ordered NDI to shut down our office there; expatriate staff must depart
> the country by next Tuesday. Attached are statements about the government's
> decision from NDI and the U.S. embassy in Cambodia, as well as a *Washington
> Post *article which refers to the Department of State statement, and to
> actions against foreign and domestic groups in Phnom Penh in the lead up to
> national elections next year. The article also includes a quote from me.
> Following are also a series of tweets by Senator Ben Cardin, the Ranking
> Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
>
> I wanted to first let you know that all staff members, both expatriate and
> local, are safe but, needless to say, deeply concerned about the
> situation. While we are doing everything we can to seek a postponement and
> a review of the government's decision, we will plan for the office closure
> in the coming days. As Peter Manikas, our Asia director, noted in his
> message to the staff in Cambodia, "We greatly appreciate all that you have
> done for NDI, some of you over the course of many years. Your efforts have
> made our programs a success and we are proud of the accomplishments that
> have resulted from those efforts."
>
> NDI has worked in Cambodia for more than 25 years and are deeply saddened
> by this news. Despite these recent developments, we remain committed to
> supporting the efforts of the Cambodian people. We have been grateful for
> the many statements of support from the U.S. government, as well from
> international and Cambodian NGOs. They are testimony to the work of a
> dedicated group of individuals in Phnom Penh.
>
> We are in constant contact with staff, partners, and a very supportive
> USAID Mission and embassy (I spoke at length earlier today with the U.S.
> ambassador in Phnom Penh). I will keep you informed of developments as they
> occur.
>
> Regards,
>
> Ken
>
>
> Kenneth Wollack
> President
> National Democratic Institute
> 455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, 8th Floor
> Washington, DC 20001
> 202-728-5500 <(202)%20728-5500> (Tel)
> 888-875-2887 <(888)%20875-2887> (Fax)
> email: ken@ndi.org
> website: www.ndi.org
>
>
>
> NDI: https://www.ndi.org/publications/statement-cambodian-go
> vernment%E2%80%99s-decision-shut-down-ndis-office-cambodia
>
> US Embassy: https://www.facebook.com/us.embassy.phnom.penh/post
> s/10154988158038224
>
> Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_
> pacific/cambodia-kicks-out-us-nonprofit-promoting-democracy/
> 2017/08/23/3cd8d7c6-87e5-11e7-96a7-d178cf3524eb_story.html
>
> Cardin Tweets:
>
> - TweetsTweets, current page.
> - Tweets & replies <https://twitter.com/SenatorCardin/with_replies>
> - Media <https://twitter.com/SenatorCardin/media>
>
>
> 1.
> *Senator Ben Cardin*‏Verified account @SenatorCardin
> <https://twitter.com/SenatorCardin> 1h1 hour ago
> <https://twitter.com/SenatorCardin/status/900469485127294976>
> More
>
> Senator Ben Cardin Retweeted Reuters World
>
> I've been watching #Cambodia
> <https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cambodia?src=hash> closely & this is a
> disturbing development. NDI seeks only greater transparency, in Cambodia
> and every country.
>
> Senator Ben Cardin added,
> <https://twitter.com/ReutersWorld/status/900287556670988288>
> *Reuters World*Verified account @ReutersWorld
> Cambodia orders U.S.-funded group to halt operations, remove staff
> http://reut.rs/2g5nG7P
> 11 replies17 retweets22 likes
> Reply
> 11
>
> Retweet
> 17
>
> Liked
> 22
>
> Direct message
> 2.
> *Senator Ben Cardin*‏Verified account @SenatorCardin
> <https://twitter.com/SenatorCardin> 1h1 hour ago
> <https://twitter.com/SenatorCardin/status/900467549183373314>
> More
>
> Senator Ben Cardin Retweeted Reuters World
>
> This is deeply disturbing news. Transparency is critical to every
> democracy, and that's what @NDI <https://twitter.com/NDI> has sought
> to foster worldwide. #Cambodia
> <https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cambodia?src=hash>
>
> Senator Ben Cardin added,
> <https://twitter.com/ReutersWorld/status/900287556670988288>
> *Reuters World*Verified account @ReutersWorld
> Cambodia orders U.S.-funded group to halt operations, remove staff
> http://reut.rs/2g5nG7P
> 3 replies17 retweets31 likes
> Reply
> 3
>
> Retweet
> 17
>
> Liked
> 31
>
> Direct message
>
>
>