The Royal Government of Cambodia categorically rejects the groundless accusations that it approved the dumping of toxic wastes in Cambodia. According to the accusations of one anonymous source, money was paid in order to dump the waste in Sihanoukville. He accused the highest levels of the Royal Government of approving the dumping of the poisonous waste. These charges are totally without foundation or merit and constitutes a shameless diffamation against the Government officials and leaders since no evidence has been produced to support the charges.

Specifically, the Royal Government of Cambodia can state as-follows. First, no decision was made concerning this matter, and no money was received. Second, the only evidence offered by the newspaper are accusations by one or two anonymous disgruntled governmental workers. Please note that the newspaper does not even identify them as serving at the Office of the Council of Ministers, only as being in the Government.

Third, no evidence is offered to support the allegation. Where are the documents that would be necessary for any Governmental decision ? What Council of Ministers’ meeting that discussed and approved the alleged application ? No evidence is offered, no details are provided. The lack of documentation and specificity to the charges under their credibility.

In fact, only one source claims to have seen a document relating to the charges, and it was only an " Application". Did he see an approved document? Where did he see the application ? The source is silent on these critical issues.

Fourth, the charges are inconsistent and contradictory. The two sources vary widely in the amount of the alleged pay-off, which should have raised concerns about the truthfulness of the accusation for any careful reporter. Also, it is alleged that, although the money was alleged to have been paid "late last year", the unamed accuser also charges that it was to pay the election campaign of one political party. This is not logical: the election campaign was seven months ago. How does an alleged payment in October relate to an election campaign many months earlier?

One could continue to analyze the allegations in the article, but it serves no purpose. If the newspaper or its sources have definite information about corruption, then the evidence should be presented. If all it has is the vague accusations of one or two functionaries, then it should refrain from publishing such slanderous material. 

The challenge to the Royal Government of ensuring the safety and health of all of the citizens is no small matter, hence it is an issue of serious concern to the Royal Government of Cambodia. We welcome responsible public discourse on the problems facing Cambodia today. But scandal-mongering articles like the one concerning the toxic waste dump does not serve the public interest.

The Royal Government deeply regrets and is considering what appropriate measures should be taken vis-a-vis this baseless accusation and shameless diffamation against its officials and leaders by the opposition parties and newspapers.